Golden Learning

George Heriot's has been recognised and accredited for its hard work, which directly reflects the ethos of George Heriot and is the embodiment of the school motto, i Distribute Chearfullie

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Refined over 400 years of educating Scotland’s children, George Heriot’s School delivers quality in its teaching and learning. We take the core components of the Curriculum for Excellence and infuse them with academic rigour, a Rights Respecting charter and our gold standard, award winning approach to teaching Philosophy.

This educational blend demarks our school: last year Heriot’s was voted The Sunday Times ‘Scottish Independent School of the Decade’ and in 2021 we were awarded ‘Independent School of the Year’ by Independent School Parent Magazine from a field of 700 UK schools.

Independent School of the Year 2021

Scottish Independent School of the Decade

British Council International School Award

George Heriot’s is delighted to announce that it has been re-accredited with the British Council International School Award. This Award rewards schools that have shown a commitment to embedding international awareness and understanding within their class or school, from P1 to S6.

George Heriot’s has been an award holder since 2011, and is pleased to be re-accredited with the award until 2021.

International School Award

More information can be found here.

Eco-Schools Green Flag Award

“The Eco-Schools programme engages children and young people in key issues including the environment, sustainability, global citizenship and the value of a low carbon future.”

The aim of the Environmental Review is to help the Eco Committee get a clear view of the current environmental state of the whole school. It is completed by the Eco Committee with the help of other members of the school community. It will help to identify where improvements can be made and will be the main tool to help the Eco Committee decide which topics should be part of the school’s Action Plan. Click here to read more about how we engage with Learning for Sustainability within the Junior and Senior Schools.

More information can be found here.

SAPERE Gold Award

At George Heriot’s, Philosophy is taught from Nursery to Primary 7 using the P4C method and many parents have attended our workshops to develop their own philosophical thinking. We are delighted to be a leader nationally in this subject and are the only school in Scotland to have achieved a Gold Award from the SAPERE organisation, which recognises the high standard of teaching and participation in this subject.

There are many advantages to teaching children Philosophy:

It improves literacy and language skills, encouraging children to develop their articulacy and self-expression.
It improves concentration and thinking skills.
It encourages children to be more effective in collaboration, group work and reasoning.
It is relevant for all pupils, whatever their religion or beliefs, promoting respect for self and others.
Pupils are encouraged to reflect on issues of justice and truth.
Philosophy offers opportunities for personal reflection and prepares pupils for adult life.

More information can be found here.

UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Gold Award

Heriot’s has been awarded the Gold UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Award.

The school had to submit evidence of how democracy and the UK Parliament is promoted within Citizenship lessons and a comprehensive folder of lesson plans, resources etc was sent off to the UK Parliament for review. A key feature in the evidence was the term 3 liaison project between S1-3 registration classes and P1-7 classes when S1-3 pupils led a democracy-themed activity with a JS class. Other examples included taking part in the Global Social Leaders competition, SCIS Citizenship Conference and taking part in the #flytheflag for human rights campaign, amongst many others.

UK Parliament Teacher Ambassador Award

UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools' Award

Heriot’s starting working towards the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award in 2012 and became the first independent school in the UK to win the Gold level of the Award in 2015. Since then, the school has been reaccredited with Gold and the Rights Respecting Schools Group – led by pupils – continues to be active in promoting children’s rights, both in school and as part of wider initiatives.

“At Heriot’s, we are not only listened to, but we are respected. We have made so many changes and together we will keep going to make it the best school”.

More information can be found here.

We Care: Schools for Young Carers Recognising Award

Edinburgh Young Carers is delighted to confirm that the We Care Panel has granted George Heriot’s School the We Care: Schools for Young Carers Recognising Award!

We Care recognises and rewards good practice in identifying and supporting young carers in schools across Scotland, and we are very pleased to be able to confirm that George Heriot’s have achieved this award, as part the first cohort of schools across the country. We Recognise is the beginning of a journey to improve young carer experiences in school.

More information can be found here.