George Watson's College sits in the heart of Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh, providing a world-class education for children and young people from Preschool to Senior 6.
We encourage our pupils to develop a love of learning through an inspiring curriculum and an extensive and inclusive enrichment programme, which are underpinned by the four values we live by: aim high, be kind, join in and respect all.
Our school is a place where pupils have the freedom to thrive, succeed, explore, perform, and grow, giving them the opportunity to discover their own limitless potential.
Preschool, junior and senior pupils all learn and play on the same 52-acre campus, where our sports facilities, music school, art department, technology building and drama studios are within walking distance.
We offer our pupils one of the widest extra-curricular programmes you will find anywhere, plus the opportunity to travel internationally during their time with us, and a broad range of learning experiences outside the classroom.
Our school has a reputation for the breadth of opportunities pupils have to get active, with around 25 different sports available. Participation, excellence, professionalism and equality are the four cornerstones of our physical education and sport department here at Watson's.
When it comes to music and drama, our pupils are given the opportunity to co-produce stunning shows, delivering memorable performances that live long beyond school days.
Most importantly, the wellbeing of our pupils matters to us more than anything else. There are various ways we support pupils to proactively manage their mental health, while a range of peer-led programmes has created a culture in which we can all play our part.
All this means that when the sun shines we celebrate the happy moments, and when it doesn't we're there to protect and support, just as our motto says: ex corde caritas - love from the heart.
George Watson’s College exists to provide a world-class education for children and young people from Preschool to S6. We encourage our pupils to develop a love of real learning through an inspiring curriculum and extensive and inclusive Enrichment programmes.
George Watson’s College is an extraordinary school community full of outstanding young people and members of staff. We have excellent buildings and fantastic facilities but it is the people who make our school what it is and who enable us to be as successful as we are.
We challenge and support our pupils to discover their own potential. We nurture the knowledge, skills and confidence they will need to become engaged and successful citizens and make their own unique contribution to the world. We are proud of our heritage and passionate about our plans for the future, including our commitment to making George Watson’s College a truly environmentally sustainable school.
George Watson's College exists to help prepare children and young people for their future lives and to enable them to make a positive impact on the world.
The school therefore has a duty to do everything possible to promote the sustainability of the planet and to ensure that pupils are well prepared to take leadership in the management of the environment in the future.
The Principal is responsible to the Governing Council for the overall strategic direction of George Watson’s College, the safe and effective provision of education within agreed financial parameters and the relationships that the school enjoys within the City of Edinburgh and further afield. The Heads of Junior School and Senior School have delegated responsibility for the leadership of their respective schools within the overall George Watson’s College strategy. They and the Principal are members of the Principal's Leadership Team which also comprises the Bursar, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Admissions, Communications & Development.
Melvyn Roffe has been Principal of George Watson’s College since 2014, having previously been an English teacher, the academic deputy head of a school in Wales and the head of two state boarding schools in England. He has also held a number of non-executive positions in the education and voluntary sectors and his articles can often be seen in the educational press and online. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an Honorary Fellow of the College of Optometrists and a Burgess of the City of Edinburgh. Melvyn has been elected to serve as the Chair of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference for the 2022/23 Session.
In August 2024, we will be welcoming Lisa Kerr as the fifth Principal of George Watson's College, succeeding Melvyn after 10 years. Lisa is a well-known and highly respected figure in Scottish education, having been Principal of Gordonstoun since 2017 where she has led a programme of capital investment, academic improvement and international development.
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