Explore every episode of the podcast School Guide, Edinburgh

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	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	George Heriot's Head, Gareth Warren	02 Sep 2026	00:32:10
In this episode 6, I sit down with the incredibly personable Gareth Warren, Principal at George Heriot's. Once again, I put the same core questions to him — giving you the perfect opportunity to contrast and compare Heriot's with the other schools featured in this series. Gareth talks about his own path into education and the experiences that shaped him, shares the values that drive him as a school leader, and gives us a real sense of the 'Heriot's Ethos' — and what it truly means to be a pupil there. He also enlightens us on the breadth of after-school and extracurricular activities on offer; some of which might surprise parents. Heriot's boasts a proud academic record, so I ask Gareth how the school navigates the weight of that reputation while still protecting pupil well-being — a balancing act every parent will appreciate. For those already thinking ahead to assessment days, Gareth shares his best advice for parents whose children are preparing to sit the entrance test. We also dive into the "Heriot's Ambition," launched in 2025, plus we explore how the foundation — alongside other bursaries — supports families who need financial help with fees. Finally, Gareth gives us a clear picture of what parents can expect at the forthcoming Open Day on 26th September. Find out more about George Heriot's at: www.george-heriots.com Get in touch with the podcast here: schoolguidepod@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @nurseryandschools_edinburgh Log in to read a free digital edition of the Nursery and School Guide Magazine here: www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk/digitalmag And read our blog here: www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk
	Loretto School Head - Pete Richardson	26 Aug 2026	00:24:32
Episode 5 is the first conversation in our series with the head of a boarding school. Pete Richardson is Head of Loretto School, a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, with nursery provision. Located in Musselburgh, East Lothian, just outside Edinburgh, Loretto has fewer than 500 pupils and offers outstanding facilities, including a first-class Golf Academy. The school follows the English curriculum and exam system. In this episode, we discover how Pete first became interested in teaching and hear about his career before joining Loretto. We also discuss his leadership style, his core values, and how these are woven into the ethos of the school. Pete’s family is very much part of school life, including his wife. They were both born in South Africa, and I could honestly have listened to his lovely accent all day. Loretto is one of the few schools in Scotland that follows the English curriculum, so we explore what that means for pupils when it comes to exams. As Loretto is also a boarding school, I asked Pete about the benefits of boarding and discovered that the school offers families the opportunity to try boarding before making a longer-term commitment. We also discuss flexi-boarding options, as well as places for day pupils. Finally, we talk about the format of Loretto’s Senior School Open Day, taking place on 26 September. Pete’s warmth and kindness come across so clearly throughout the podcast. I would highly recommend listening to this episode to find out whether Loretto should be on your Open Day list. Find out more about Loretto at: www.loretto.com Get in touch with the podcast here: schoolguidepod@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @nurseryandschools_edinburgh Log in to read a free digital edition of the Nursery and School Guide Magazine here: www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk/digitalmag And read our blog here: www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk
	The Montessori Nursery & School Head - Trish Thornton	19 Aug 2026	00:37:04
Episode 4 offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at The Montessori Nursery and School in Murrayfield, Edinburgh. The nursery welcomes children from age 2.5, with the primary school catering for ages 6–12. In 25 years of publishing the Nursery and School Guide magazine, this is the conversation that finally gave me a true understanding of how the Montessori method compares to mainstream education. If you're in the early stages of choosing a nursery or early years setting in Edinburgh, listen to this episode from start to finish — it will open your eyes to another wonderful option, especially for families on the north or west side of the city. We also discuss the upcoming Open Day on Saturday 26th September, so if this episode sparks your interest, you can see it for yourself. Learn more about The Montessori Nursery and Primary School in Edinburgh: https://www.themontessorinurseryschool.com Get in touch with the podcast here: schoolguidepod@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @nurseryandschools_edinburgh Log in to read a free digital edition of the Nursery and School Guide Magazine here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk/digitalmag And read our blog here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk
	Erskine Stewart Melville Head - Anthony Simpson	12 Aug 2026	00:34:09
In episode three, I'm delighted to be joined by Anthony Simpson, Principal of Erskine Stewart Melville — a co-educational independent day school for children aged 3 to 18. The nursery welcomes children from age 3 at the Junior School on the Ravelston site up to P7. The whole senior school is now based on the Queensferry Road site. Anthony tells us how the senior school’s merger has come together. We talk about his path into a career in education and various schools he has worked in before joining ESM. We talk about how his leadership style reflects the ethos and values of the school. I ask what makes the school special, given the school’s pupil roll is over 2,000, how this impacts the experience for pupils and the benefits it brings. We discuss the vast extracurricular programme and facilities on offer. Anthony tells us how child wellbeing is central to everything they do at ESM. We talk about the upcoming Open Day on Saturday 19th September, and I ask Anthony how parents can get the most from visiting the school. Learn more about Erskine Stewart Melville here: https://www.erskinestewartmelville.com Get in touch with the podcast here: schoolguidepod@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @nurseryandschools_edinburgh Log in to read a free digital edition of the Nursery and School Guide Magazine here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk/digitalmag And read our blog here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk
	Edinburgh Academy Head - Barry Welsh	05 Aug 2026	00:31:57
In the second episode of the series, I'm delighted to be joined by Mr Barry Welsh, Rector of The Edinburgh Academy — a co-educational independent day school for children aged 2 to 18. The Nursery welcomes children from age 2 at the Junior School in Inverleith. From Primary 7, pupils move to the Senior School on Henderson Row in Stockbridge, where they stay until age 18. Barry shares his journey to becoming Rector over eight years ago and his leadership style. We explore how the school's two campuses shape the pupil experience, and he sums up the ethos that runs through both sites. We also discuss assessments and entry into the school. Barry explains how the Academy values personality and looks at what each child brings to the community — above and beyond academic ability alone. He highlights how important he believes developing children's communication skills is for preparing young people for their future careers. Finally, we talk about the upcoming Open Day on Saturday 12th September, and Barry encourages parents to visit on a working weekday too, to get a genuine feel for everyday school life. Learn more about The Edinburgh Academy here: https://edinburghacademy.org.uk Get in touch with the podcast here: schoolguidepod@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @nurseryandschools_edinburgh Log in to read a free digital edition of the Nursery and School Guide Magazine here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk/digitalmag And read our blog here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk
	Clifton Hall School Head - Jill Drummond	29 Jul 2026	00:34:16
For this first episode, I am delighted to be joined by Mrs Jill Drummond, Headteacher at Clifton Hall, a co-ed independent school for 3-18-year-olds in Newbridge, on the west side of Edinburgh. During our conversation, I felt Jill's passion for education and her desire to make sure every child has the potential to flourish. We talked about her journey to becoming head at Clifton Hall and her leadership style. We also discussed the school's ethos and how it supports both academically able children and those who need support. Jill tells us how the school promotes independence and resilience, and prepares children for further education and alternative options. We also touch on what parents should do if their child is already at a school but socially or academically unhappy. Finally, we discuss how you can visit Clifton Hall School and see it in action at their upcoming open day on Friday 11th September. Learn more about Clifton Hall School: https://www.cliftonhall.com Get in touch with the show by Emailing: schoolguidepod@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @nurseryandschools_edinburgh Last note - apologies for the recorded sound levels on my mic during this episode. Come back next week, and I'll have mastered the tech!
	Introducing ...School Guide, Edinburgh	22 Jul 2026	00:00:32
Welcome to this trailer for the School Guide Edinburgh. A podcast series where I chat to top independent school heads ahead of the open day season. I hope this series will help you on your journey to find the right school for your child.

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