Chairman of the Board of Governors: Lord Sinclair, MRICS
Headmaster: Mr Rob Taylor, BA, PGCE
Deputy Heads:
Mrs Emma Buchanan, MEd, BEd
Ms Anjali Dholakia, MA Hons, LLB, Dip LP, PGDE
Mr Ross Murdoch, BEd Hons
Age range. 3–13.
Number of children. 296.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Boarding: Flexi £8,853–£9,720, Weekly £10,060. Day Pupils: £8,200. Pre-Prep £5,095–£5,595. Nursery £2,635–£4,415. Fees are inclusive of VAT where applicable.
About Cargilfield. Cargilfield is the only stand-alone prep school in Edinburgh. Founded in 1873, we recently celebrated our 150th anniversary. As well as being Scotland’s first prep school, we remain the foremost prep school north of the border.
We deliver a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13, teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers. A family school with an active community, we seek pupils with a wide range of abilities and personalities, as we believe that our small classes, purposely kept at no more than 18, high expectations, and enthusiastic teaching allow every child to flourish. Delivered by specialist early years and subject-specific teachers, we achieve sector-leading academic performance. Indeed, the recent Education Scotland inspection report rated our attainment levels as outstanding and sector-leading across the country.
Prioritising childhood, we nurture children’s curiosity and creativity to help them explore and discover their interests, abilities, and the world around them. Every child enjoys a full day of learning, with broad, challenging, and enriching experiences in academics, the arts, music, and sport – each of which features extensively in the school week. All of this takes place on our campus, a unique location by the coast in Edinburgh. Sport is offered every day to children aged 8 and above, while art, technology, and music are important parts of our curriculum with a view to develop all-round abilities. With an extensive range of clubs and activities throughout the week, from Nursery to Form 8, there is something for every child.
In a school where the three golden rules are ‘Be kind, be kind, be kind’, pastoral care is fundamental to happy and successful children. Our Form teachers and Pastoral Leaders, guided by the headmaster and his wife, prioritise kindness, fostering a supportive environment where each child thrives both inside and outside the classroom.
Cargilfield has a strong culture of boarding but one that is designed to suit modern families, and we offer weekly and flexi-boarding from ages 8 to 13. We can accommodate up to 60 children during weekdays, with evenings filled with evening clubs, relaxation, and fun after a full day of learning and sports.
For children in our nursery and pre-prep, the boys and girls get to enjoy a fun and creative afternoon with their friends in our After School Club care.
We offer school bus services from across Edinburgh, Midlothian, Perth, Kinross and Fife.
Find out more and arrange a visit by contacting our friendly Admissions team at registrar@cargilfield.com or call 0131 336 2207. Charitable status. Cargilfield School is a Registered Charity, number SC005757.