CRYSTAL AWARDS FOR SCOTTISH SCHOOLS

Mr Michael Fanya, Academic Director of Education Advisers recently travelled to Scotland and visited the top five schools who achieved outstanding results in last year’s summer examinations. Below Mike recalls the details of his short trip…

First port of call was Strathallan School where I met Tessa Howard-Vyse (left), Director of Marketing and Development. It was good to catch up with Tessa and add another Crystal Award to go on the already full shelf in the school Common Room, marking another successful year as a Top Five Scottish School in A Level examinations.

On to Loretto and it was a great pleasure to meet new Headmaster Dr Graham Hawley. As well as having a fantastic Golf Academy Loretto is a Top Ten Scottish School by A Level results. I wish I had packed my clubs.....then again they all looked so professional perhaps it was just as well that I didn’t!

Fettes was on half-term holiday but Gemma Gray (right), Director of Marketing and PR very kindly met us to receive the award and then showed myself and my wife around the school, which included the hugely impressive new £10 million extension.

Moving on to St George’s Girls School, right next door to Murrayfield rugby stadium, which was getting ready for a visit from Wales. As Headmistress Mrs Everest was not available, senior teacher Sonia Edwards (left) received the award and also gave us lots of lively history about the school.

The final presentation was to Top Scottish A Level School Merchiston Castle and we had a very warm welcome from Deputy Head, Peter Hall, Registrar Phillip Rossiter, the Director of Studies as well as two Year 13 boys who have won places at Oxford University for entry in 2015. After the presentation the boys gave us a tour of the school, including the new sixth-form accommodation which really is 5*.

It was a privilege to visit such impressive and successful schools. We look forward to seeing them and others on our next trip.