We continue to welcome applications into Preschool, Primary 1 and Primary 2 for an August 2024 entry. The application fee is £70.
Applications for Primary 3- Primary 7 and Senior School
If you require a Student Child Visa please tick yes to the question on the form below and complete the questions regarding ability to study in the UK. We require international applicants applying to Primary 6 - Senior 6, whose first language is not English, to complete the Cambridge A2 Key for Schools qualification and submit the completed certificate with this application. For further information on how and where to complete the Cambridge Assessment .The application fee for international applicants is £150. If a place is offered and you choose to accept we ask for one term’s fees in advance.
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity throughout our admissions process as outlined in our Admission policy. Information received by George Watson's College is processed fairly and lawfully and is used in support of our operations. The information will be controlled by George Watson's College and protected in accordance with the school's Privacy policy.
Scope of Admissions Procedures
Our admissions procedures include the actual application process itself and all associated procedures. The admissions procedures begin when initial contact is made by a parent registering an interest on behalf of their child(ren), and ends on the first day when a successful applicant attends school as a pupil at Watson’s. During that time, responsibility for new pupils and the administration associated with them will transfer to the School’s teaching and guidance staff. The precise timing during this timeframe depends upon the year group, and the time of year the pupil joins us.
The key dates for the admissions procedures, including application closing date, will be reviewed and set by the Principal on an annual basis to ensure that there is sufficient time for the Admissions team to process applications and put reasonable adjustments in place for applicants where necessary.
The Application Process
We encourage parents to visit the School before making an application by attending our annual Open Morning or requesting an individual tour of the School. The ‘Parent Journey’ through the Admissions Process is outlined in Appendix A.
Preschool places are allocated approximately 9-12 months in advance of starting for children aged 3–4 years. We accept Preschool applications throughout the school year, depending on places available. It is anticipated that most pupils will progress to Primary 1 (P1).
The dates for our next admissions round can be found in Appendix B. Other than in the Preschool, the main entry points for new pupils in the Junior School are P1, P6 and P7. We also consider pupils for a limited number of places in other years as outlined in Appendix B. The deadline for applications for Junior School places (P1–P7) is in the November before August when the applicant would start in the School.
Arrangements for entry to the Junior School are dependent on the entry point, with assessments designed to be age and stage appropriate, providing a supportive environment which will bring out the best in all applicants. It is anticipated that most pupils will progress from P7 to Senior 1 (S1).
The main entry point for new pupils in Senior School is S1. We also consider pupils for places in other years should places become available. Places are only offered in S4 in the most exceptional of cases as pupils are in the process of taking examinations for National Qualifications during the S4. The deadline for applications for Senior School places (S1–S6) is in the November before the August in which the applicant would start in the School.
If an applicant lives abroad or otherwise too far from Watson to be able to travel to the School for assessment, an assessment can be arranged at their existing school at the discretion of the Admissions Registrar and with the permission of their current Head Teacher. Distance assessments can only be undertaken for applicants applying for entry into P2–S6.
For key entry points at P1 and S1, offers will be sent by post on a set date agreed amongst the independent schools in Edinburgh. For other year groups or admissions during the year, offers will be sent as soon as a decision is made after assessments, provided all other relevant information has been submitted. Parents will be required to accept their place by the deadline stated in the offer letter.
On acceptance of a place, there will be a non-refundable acceptance fee of £300 or one term’s fees for international applicants. These fees will be reduced pro-rata if the applicant is successful in being awarded a Foundation Place.
The Principal will consider an appeal against a decision not to admit a pupil where:
Appeals will not be considered on any other grounds. Appeals must reach the Principal no later than 14 school days after the date of the communication informing the parent of a decision not to admit an applicant.
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