Edinburgh is a popular city for families relocating from other parts of the UK and overseas. This article provides an overview of the school system here.
Choosing a School
Fee paying schools in Scotland are referred to as Independent Schools. Should you decide to send your child to one of these schools, the choice is yours, subject to spaces and an application process.
If you would like your child to attend a free local authority school in Scotland, you will be allocated a place at your catchment (likely to be nearest) school that serves the postcode where you live. Nurseries, however, are not catchment bound. Parents may request a non-catchment school. However, such requests are not always granted.
For more information, click here.
Non-Denomination and Catholic Education
In the state sector, a child will either attend a non-denominational or a catholic school. Religious studies is part of the national curriculum and nativity plays are usually performed at Christmas and spring break will be referred to as ‘Easter’ holidays.
Year groups
This can be one of the most confusing aspects of the Scottish education system for new parents moving from England. Firstly, the year groups cut off age is different (February) from England (August). Children in Scotland start school between the age of 4.5 and 5.5.
The Scottish academic year runs from August to June, rather than September to July as in England.
The Scottish system starts with nursery early years education and childcare, then seven years at primary school from P1 to P7. Secondary schools in Scotland are also known as high schools or academies. The first 4 years of secondary education is compulsory from S1 to S4 (S5 and S6 are optional). Whereas in England children start with Nursery, Reception then Year One and finish with Year 13 (Year 12-13 are optional).
The curriculum and exam system in Scotland are different from England with pupils sitting National 5s, (similar level to GCSEs). Highers (similar to the old AS Levels in England) and Advanced Higher Exams (similar to A Levels). Children can apply to University in Scotland and England with Highers exam results, without necessarily taking Advanced Highers.
Comparison Table of School Year Groups across Scotland and England
This table is an approximate age, curriculum & exams by year group.
*In Scotland if your child turns 4 by 28th February they will be due to start Primary 1 in the August of that year. The youngest child in P1 will be 4.5 yrs and the oldest 5.5 yrs unless you request to defer your child for a year. Whereas in England the youngest will be 5 yrs and the oldest 6 yrs in Year 1. ) See our handy Starting School Ages click here.
Approx Age Middle of The Year* (Scotland) Start Age (England) | Scotland - Curriculum for Excellence | England - National Curriculum |
4 yrs | Nursery (Early Level) | Reception (Foundation) |
5 yrs | Primary 1 (Early Level) | Year 1 (KS1) |
6 yrs | P2 (First Level) | Year 2 (KS1) |
7 yrs | P3 (First Level) | Year 3 (KS2) |
8 yrs | P4 (First Level) | Year 4 (KS2) |
9 yrs | P5 (Second Level) | Year 5 (KS2) |
10 yrs | P6 (Second Level) | Year 6 (KS2) |
11 yrs | P7 (Second Level) | Year 7 (KS3) |
12 yrs | Secondary 1 (Nat 1 & 2) | Year 8 (KS3) |
13 yrs | S2 (Nat 2 & 3 ) | Year 9 (KS3) |
14 yrs | S3 (Nat 3 &4 ) | Year 10 (KS3) |
15 yrs | S4 (Nat 4 & 5) | Year 11 (GCSE's) |
16 yrs | S5 (Highers) | Year 12 |
17 yrs | S6 (Advanced Highers) | Year 13 (A'Levels) |
Class sizes
Scotland’s current statutory maximum class sizes
Primary 1: 25 children
Primary 2 & 3: 30 children
Primary 4 to 7: 33 children
S1 - S3: 33 children
S4: 30 children
School Hours and Term Dates
Generally speaking, Edinburgh Council schools run fromt 8:30am until 3pm at primary level and until 3:30pm at secondary level. Edinburgh Council schools close to pupils at 12:50pm on Friday afternoons. In most Edinburgh high schools, lessons are taught in seven x 50 min periods - single and double periods, except Fridays which have 4 periods. Local authorities have the freedom to choose the length of the school day so times differ slightly.
Local authorities in Scotland all have slightly different holidays and term dates. See Edinburgh council schools term dates here.
Uniforms
School trousers and skirts are mainly black or grey. These can be purchased from multiple retailers. School colours are worn in most schools together with polo shirts, jumpers and hoodies which display the school logo and are purchased from a designated retailer. Blazers and ties are optional at most secondary schools. Clothing grants are offered to parents who meet the conditions.
School Lunch
All children receive a free lunch until P4. The Scottish Government requires all schools to offer a healthy meal in both primary and secondary schools. The cost of a school meal deal is around £2.30 - £2.70. Parents that meet certain conditions can apply for Free School Meals .
Information on free school meals and clothing grants and how to apply is available on the website: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolgrants