Focus 

Courage, creativity and courtesy

Day fees 2024/25

$19,000–$35,900

Boarding fees 2024/25

$45,100

Pupils 

165

Ages

5–13

Spear’s Review

Belhaven Hill School in East Lothian, one of only a few remaining boarding prep schools in Scotland, offers a traditional but nurturing environment for children aged 5 to 13.

Parents choose when their child begins to board, and the transition from day to boarding can be gradual. Once the switch is made, only full fortnightly boarding is available, so the child stays at school for two weeks at a time, with every other weekend at home. This is a deliberate choice intended to build routine while encouraging and fostering strong friendships between pupils. 

Belhaven’s ethos centres around readiness, and is aligned with its commitment to prepare children for senior school and the wider world. According to the school, ‘There will be an inner sense in our children that helps them explore their new world with a sense of self, a sense of purpose and a sense of right and wrong.’

Senior school destinations

Leavers go on to the top schools in the UK including Eton, Shrewsbury, Harrow and Winchester.

Head teacher

Olly Langton has been headmaster of Belhaven since 2020. After gaining a first-class honours degree in history from Edinburgh University, Langton taught English and history at Ludgrove School in Berkshire and then was housemaster at Radley College in Oxfordshire, where he had attended school, for 13 years.

Admissions

According to the school, pre-prep admission is Year 1 to Year 3, and prep admission is Year 4 to Year 8 for boarders and day pupils. Children may join Belhaven at any stage as long as there are places available, and they can be registered at any time in advance but may be placed on a waiting list. The school notes that boarding places, in particular, can be oversubscribed and therefore recommends early registration. 

Accessibility

Edinburgh Airport: 45 minutes

Location

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