Focus 

Aiming high and giving back

Day fees 2024/25

$52,700 (incl. VAT)

Boarding fees 2024/25 

$62,800 (incl. VAT)

Pupils

600

Ages

13–18

Spear’s Review

Founded in 1870, Fettes College is just one mile from the centre of Edinburgh. The main school building was built in the 19th century in a Scots Baronial style and has been described as one of the country’s greatest buildings. 

The co-educational senior school has a full boarding ethos, with day pupils often electing to participate in the evening and weekend programmes, and it draws an international mix of students who can choose between A-Levels or the IB curriculum – an option that is something of a rarity in Scotland. 

Outside the classroom, Fettes is strong in both sport and drama, and counts Tony Blair, Professor Angus Deaton and the famous fictional British secret agent James Bond as alumni. 

Academics

72 per cent of GCSE results are grades 7–9. 

55 per cent of results at A-Level are A* or A. 

Average IB score is 38.0. 

University and college destinations

According to the school, in recent years students have gained places at some of the most elite universities, including Oxbridge and Russell Group universities, and Ivy League schools Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and Yale. Eighty-two per cent of 2024 leavers secured a place at their first-choice university.

Head teacher

Helen Harrison joined Fettes as a geography teacher in 1996. She spent 12 years as deputy head before becoming head of Fettes in 2019 – the first female head in the school’s history. Harrison has a geography degree from Jesus College, Cambridge, where she also undertook her teacher training. Her first teaching role was at Clifton College in Bristol.

Admissions

Students looking to enter Fettes at 13+ or 14+ can enter via the scholarship or general entry route. Students will be asked to complete an assessment and have an interview with the school’s head or a member of the senior management team. For those entering at Sixth Form, students will be invited to sit assessments for three subjects of their choice, and will also have an interview. General entry can be at any time during the year, subject to availability of a space. 

Accessibility 

Edinburgh Airport: 20 minutes

Location

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