School Name

Fettes College

Category

UK Senior Schools

Type

Senior school

Pupil type

Co-ed

Boarding-Day

Day

Boarding

Curriculums

GCSE

A-Level

IB

Pupil age range

7-18

Fettes College

Focus 

Mutual support and cooperation

Day fees

$26,600–$47,200

Boarding fees 

$39,000–$56,100

Pupils

750

Ages

7–18

Academics

66 percent of GCSE results at Fettes are 7–9 grades.

16 per cent of A-Level results at Fettes are A* grades.

Average IB score of 37.

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. 

Fettes is co-educational and has both prep and senior schools on the same site, accommodating just around 750 pupils between the ages of 7 and 18. The school draws an international mix of pupils that are attracted by the choice of undertaking either A-Levels or the IB curriculum. 

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. 

Head teacher

Helen Harrison was deputy head for 12 years before becoming head of Fettes in 2018. Prior to joining the school she had taught geography in at Clifton College in Bristol.

Accessibility 

Edinburgh Airport; 20 minutes

Location

Click for more information about the research process and expert insight behind the Spear’s Schools Index

Rank: Top Flight

Top Flight 2024, UK Senior Schools

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