Community Update: 1 Nov 2024
In light of our recent announcement about the transition to a fully co-educational model from August 2026, we are thoughtfully moving forward with planning, taking into account the many voices and perspectives shared with us. Regular updates will be shared with you directly and added to the co-educational page of our website, ensuring you have easy access to the latest information on our progress.
We have now held seven meetings with parents (including a meeting with our new families), three meetings with alumni and meetings with staff and students to share information about the merger and answer questions. We would like to thank everyone in the community for their valuable input during these meetings and we have added further Q&As to the website in response to feedback.
We understand that the decision to merge the senior schools is a big change for our community and we are committed to working closely with parents, students and staff as we progress with plans. We have outlined further information about the plans, including estimated timelines, below. We will be consulting parents, students, staff and alumni on some of the changes we will be making to ensure that your views are incorporated and your concerns addressed. Information on this will be shared soon.
We are also continuing to ensure that the current provision for our students, both educationally and pastorally, remains our priority. I have absolute confidence in our amazing staff to support the students through their courses and through school life, and we will continue to monitor progress through our robust and supportive processes.
Student engagement
Before half term and earlier this week, assemblies and meetings were held in the Senior Schools and the Junior School to discuss the details of the merger with all our students. This week Mr Kane met with the Junior School Student Council, whilst our Heads of Senior Schools, Ms Nicholson and Mrs McCrudden, met with all S1 to S5 students at Queensferry Road and Ravelston, providing an open forum for students to ask questions. Common themes raised included the school badge, uniform, sport, lunch, assembly arrangements, class sizes and toilet provisions. These were the first of many opportunities to involve students as we work to shape the new School.
Staff restructure and support
We are currently providing a range of personalised meetings, group sessions and general drop-ins for all our staff, to ensure that they have the information and the support they need to guide them through the next few years. We are very aware that there is uncertainty for some of them with their roles, and their work environments.
We have been consulting with the Senior Leadership Team and we will announce our plans for the new Senior Leadership Team before the end of December. The next step will be to consult on our new guidance structure and departmental leadership. This will commence in January 2025, and we will update on plans in June 2025.
Uniform
As the production of any new uniform supplies takes several months, we have made this a priority. As such, we had an initial meeting with our current supplier, Stevensons, before half term and we will be meeting them again in early November to discuss sustainability, quality, cost and their approach to engaging students, parents and staff in the design and product choices. We are also considering other suppliers. Our priority will be to find an approach that limits the cost for parents and provides a uniform that is high quality, at the right price point and readily available. Once we have chosen our supplier, we will outline how we will gather feedback from students, parents and staff. We would like to reassure parents that we intend to phase in any new uniform changes to limit the expense.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing is a huge priority for the School and this term we have introduced our new Place2Be counselling service across the three schools. More information about this will be shared shortly. Our future guidance structures will be announced once we have consulted with all staff involved and received their feedback.
Estates work
We are currently working on user requirements for the upgrades to the science and technology building on the Queensferry Road site. Designs for the science building will be complete by December 2024. We are also carrying out a full Estates review of the Queensferry Road, Ravelston and Inverleith sites to establish requirements for the merger and to facilitate an enhanced PE and extra-curricular sport offering.
Sport
We have a consultant in school next week, meeting with staff and students, to review our curriculum and sports provision. This will allow us to consider the delivery of physical education, as well as competitive and recreational sport to support personal development and enhance health, and wellbeing.
Building Community and Preserving our Culture
What has been really clear through our conversations with students, parents, staff and alumni is the strong desire to ensure that our heritage is evident throughout. Please rest assured that this is always at the forefront of our planning – we want to preserve what makes us great whilst embracing any opportunities to develop our provision further.
Whilst we have developed a new badge for the School we have yet to make a decision about our school motto and we will be consulting on this shortly.
Indicative Milestones (not exhaustive)
| Wellbeing Support Assistants join the school | Oct 2024 |
| Place2Be counselling service introduced across the Junior and Senior School | Nov 2024 |
| Finalise timeline for rolling out new School badge | Nov 2024 |
| Full sports review | Nov 2024 |
| Design new senior school timetable and school-day structure | Dec 2024 |
| Determine additional classroom, facilities and equipment needs for the new School | Dec 2024 |
| Curriculum review with student input | Dec 2024 |
| Launch new website | Dec 2024 |
| Science and technology building designs completed | Dec 2024 |
| Senior Leadership Team restructure complete | Jan 2025 |
| Draft programme of works for Junior School and Senior School | Mar 2025 |
| Commence upgrades on new science building | Apr 2025 |
| Announce new Guidance structure | Jul 2025 |
| Source and implement a new Management Information System for the School | Aug 2025 |
| Complete new uniform design | Dec 2025 |
| Develop extra-curricular programme for 2026/2027 academic year | Apr 2026 |
| Completion of science building | May 2026 |
| Upgrade technology in classrooms and workspaces | Jun 2026 |
| Wellbeing Hubs completed | Jul 2026 |
| Queensferry Road and Ravelston site and classroom refresh | Aug 2026 |
