- This Edinburgh boarding and day school, founded in 1870, is the alma mater of the former prime minister Tony Blair, the actress Tilda Swinton and Ian Fleming’s James Bond. Named after its founder, the businessman and philanthropist Sir William Fettes, the school has about 720 students. Fettes is the only school in Scotland to offer the choice between studying A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in sixth form.
- The educational heavy hitter was named Secondary Independent School of the Year for Academic Excellence in Scotland 2025 among fee-paying schools teaching A-level, IB and GCSE.
- Fettes’ headmistress, Helen Harrison, is retiring and will hand over the reins to Richard Girvan, currently the principal and chief executive of the Stephen Perse Foundation, who will take charge from September 2026.
- The extensive extracurricular programme includes more than 60 clubs and societies, from a Taylor Swift Appreciation Society to Fettes Radio, plus sports such as lacrosse, fives, squash, Munro climbing and mountain biking.
- Wellbeing initiatives include a school therapy pet, Fidra the cockapoo, who helps to reduce pupils’ anxiety and can be taken for walks.
- In September Fettes opened a pre-prep to offer places to children from the age of five.
- Means-tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent of fees are available, as well as a range of scholarships and awards based on merit, which are granted at the discretion of the head.
Sign up to The Times and The Sunday Times weekly parenting newsletter