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Cargilfield Preparatory School, Edinburgh

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Cargilfield Preparatory School details

Address:
Cargilfield Preparatory School
Barnton Avenue West, Edinburgh EH4 6HU
Telephone:
0131 336 2207
Fax:
0131 335 3179
Email:
secretary@cargilfield.com
Website:
www.cargilfield.com
Authority:
Edinburgh
Gender of entry:
Mixed
Age range:
3-13
Number of students:
200
Affiliation:
IAPS
Last inspection:
November 2004. Read the full inspection report.

Find a school:

ISC accredited

General information

Headteacher: John Elder, appointed in September 2000.

Staff: 32 (men 7, women 25).

Background: First preparatory school in Scotland, founded in 1873. All facilities located in 12-acre campus in Barnton area of Edinburgh, within 10 minutes of airport and city centre; #4.5m investment programme in which boarding and classroom facilities completely refurbished; newly-built nursery and pre-prep from April 2003. Committed to creating 'stimulating and friendly environment in which children can thrive'. Children taught in small classes throughout school. Academic school; in 2002, seven of 11 leavers gained scholarships to senior schools. Pursuit of music, games, art and drama encouraged 'for the fun and self-confidence that children feel from joining in as much as for the sake of excellence'. Rugby, netball, hockey, cricket, rounders and athletics make up the greater part of the games programme; also lacrosse, swimming, archery, golf, sailing, squash, skiing, soccer, riding, fencing and climbing. Various options for boarding during week, from single night sleep over, to flexi-boarding and weekly boarding, based on exciting programme of evening activities. Pupils learn Latin, Greek, Spanish and Scottish country dancing in addition to national curriculum subjects. Awards gained to major schools in Scotland and England, with particularly strong showing in Classics and music. More than 90 per cent of Year 5 pupils receive individual music tuition. Breakfast club every morning; pupils can stay until 6pm each evening.

Approach to discipline: 'Cargilfield's approach is centred on the promotion of positive behaviour and strategies for this are in place throughout the school. Importance is attached to the need to work in partnership with parents on the issue of appropriate behaviour.'

Uniform: Boys: white summer polo shirt/pale-grey winter shirt, grey shorts/trousers, red tie, blue sweater, long grey socks. Girls: blue striped summer dress/grey skirt/shorts, white summer/long grey winter socks, red tie, blue sweater. 'Kilts or kilted skirts should be worn for formal occasions and marches.'

Special needs: One full-time and one part-time teacher; learning support available throughout school; teaching both in class and in own unit.'

Inspection: November 2004: 'Under the strong leadership of the new headteacher, the school had moved forward in a number of significant areas. The school had improved programmes of study across all areas of the curriculum. As a result, pupils? learning experiences had improved throughout the school and there was better progression in pupils? learning from stage to stage. Staff now gave more attention to monitoring pupils? achievements. As a result, attainment in reading, writing and mathematics had improved. The commitment of all staff meant that the school was well placed for further improvement. Teachers had reviewed their learning and teaching approaches. Forward plans had clear outlines of what pupils were expected to learn and how their progress would be assessed. Staff made effective use of information from assessment to plan the next steps in pupils? learning. The headteacher and staff had reviewed the curriculum in the prep school and had introduced new programmes of study to take account of pupils? learning needs across the school. The new headteacher had a clear vision for improving the school. He scrutinised teachers? forward plans and provided them with helpful oral and written feedback. He observed the work of classes and monitored teaching across the school. The headteacher now had full access to all funds and managed the whole school budget. Teachers and pupils were benefiting from an improved range of textbooks, other resources to support learning and new furniture. Continuing improvements were being made to the accommodation.'

Secondary schools: Glenalmond College; Fettes College; Gordanstoun; Queen Margaret's School, York; Oundle School.

Boys' age range: 3 to 13.

Girls' age range: 3 to 13.

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