Coeducation

3 March 2009

Last week I played host to a visit from Mrs Belinda Greer, HM Inspector of Schools, who came to the School informally to discuss changes that had occurred since the start of year and the arrival of full co-education.  After a wide-ranging discussion and a tour of our new facilities I was encouraged to hear a positive view expressed over all that we continue to achieve.

10 October 2007

The Academy has taken its first steps towards full co-education, and readers will find in the Bulletin mention of the pioneering girls who began their Junior School career a month ago. Warm good wishes to them, and indeed to all who started their Academy career this term; I hope that they find friendship and opportunity at every stage.

They will be followed next August by the 2008 new arrivals, girls and boys at every stage of the Junior and Senior School. We have been enormously encouraged by the interest shown in the past months which has been unprecedented. Enquiries for the Nursery in August 2008 are up 20% by comparison with last year; for the Junior School, up 75%; and for the Senior School up 100%. Registrations already logged are up 35% for the Nursery, 50% for the Junior School and 215% for the Senior School. These are promising signs indeed – and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors over the next months.

New prospectus - 6 February 2007

I hope that all parents duly received a copy of the new prospectus, and that you have had time to look through its contents.  We have tried to keep the number of words to a reasonable level, but to tell the Academy's story via paragraphs, pictures and tone.  We have received a number of very positive comments, but will welcome further thoughts - and above all, we hope that you will spread good messages to friends and family alike. 
Whatever your connection with the school may be, if you would like a copy or further copy of the prospectus, please get in touch with the School Office. The telephone number is 0131 624 4940, and the e-mail .

28 November 2006

Our planning for the impending change to co-education is progressing positively, and the Court meeting on December 5th will include discussion on the timing of the move for P6 and all Senior School classes.  May I remind parents and all readers that we aim to give firm news on that timing as soon as is practically possible after that meeting.

4 October 2006

Parents of current pupils will have received the Chairman's letter in the post on Tuesday or Wednesday, announcing the decision that the Academy will move to full co-education over the next 2-3 years.  Other readers of the News Sheet will want to know details, and they are available on the school website as from Wednesday morning.
The summary position is as follows:
1. Girls will be admitted to all Junior School Classes from the Nursery through to P5 from August 2007.
2. Girls will be admitted into all classes in the Senior School and into all classes in the Junior School no later than August 2009.
3. We need to give further thought to the time needed to make the necessary changes to the Senior School facilities, and investigative work is under way.  It is possible that these changes may be completed in time for the 2008-09 session.
4. If they can be completed, we will advance the date for full acceptance of girls into the Senior School to August 2008.  We will also accept girls into P6 in the Junior School from August 2007.
5. A final decision on the two latter points will be taken by the Court on December 5th and will be communicated as soon as possible thereafter.
Importantly, the Chairman reinforced the school's commitment, regarding the ethos and culture of the school over the next years:
a) Small class sizes will remain a priority. In the Junior School we envisage no more than 20 pupils per class in years 1-3 and no more than 22 in years 4-6.
b) For the Senior School, we repeat our commitment that the current maximum class size will remain at 24 in Geits-5ths Classes.
c) Our expectation, therefore, is that the Academy will remain for the foreseeable future a school of less than 1000 pupils.  We are convinced that this number will continue to permit each pupil to be known and supported as an individual.
We now move forward positively to put in the necessary planning over the next months.  Meanwhile, every parent and every young person can be confident that the Academy will continue to do the very best for each one of its pupils, female and male alike.

27 September 2006

Following a very lively but courteous meeting on Wednesday evening, the consultation period for the co-education issue is now drawing to a close.  The responses received up to and including Monday evening have been collated and will be considered by the Court at their meeting this coming Wednesday.  As soon as possible thereafter, parents will be informed of the next step or steps, but I hope that all will understand that that may take a little time.  Please do not expect an instant response, but be assured; details will be circulated as swiftly as is practically possible.

4 September 2006

The Chairman of the Court, Henry Fairweather, wrote to parents and Academicals in early August, inviting comment on the issue of a possible  move to co-education throughout the Academy.  Some 180 responses have been received to date, but  we hope for many more over the next days and weeks.  Please give us your opinion; it will contribute importantly to the eventual decision.

Some concerns have been voiced directly or indirectly, suggesting that a decision has already been taken.  May I state plainly; every response by letter or by e-mail is being read, analysed and recorded.  A summary of the responses will be examined and discussed by the Directors on September 27th.  Only then will they decide on the next steps.

One important point needs to be emphasised.  The Court of Directors is looking to the next decades for the Academy, with full but objective respect for what the school is now and what it has been.  In that consideration of the future, the question of co-education simply must be faced.  In addressing the question and inviting in all openness the views of interested parents and former pupils, the Directors are ensuring that a wide range of people are involved in the shaping of the school for the next years.

Meanwhile, a number of parents have welcomed the offer of a meeting with members of the Court.  This has therefore been arranged for Wednesday 20th September at 8.00 p.m. in the Main Hall, 42 Henderson Row.  It will follow immediately after the AGM of the Parents and Friends Association, scheduled for 7.30 p.m.

I hope that as many parents as possible will attend, and ask that those wishing to be present indicate their name and the number attending;
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Telephone: School Office - 0131 624 4940

Chairman's Letter 8 August 2006

The Chairman of the Court has written as above to parents this week. A similar letter has gone to Academicals.