St George's School, Edinburgh

History

The history of the school is an important part of the story of the Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women and their drive to create university education for women in Scotland. The first meeting had taken place in 1866 before involving Mary Crudelius, Madeline Daniell and Sarah Mair. Their aim was to get women into Edinburgh University and Walker became the "chief intellect and administrator".

In 1885 Mary Russell Walker was recalled from the Maria Grey Training College to Edinburgh The first fifty students started in October 1888 using a building in Melville Street. The school was the first Scottish day school for girls which taught students all the way up to university entrance level. Girls from St. George's were among the first female graduates of Edinburgh University.

In 1912 the school took its first board students

In 1939 the training college facility closed.

Curriculum

The school's academic curriculum is a mix of GCSEs at 16, followed by Highers and Advanced Highers in the Sixth Form (S5 and S6).

In 2006 the headteacher started a cooperation programme with Chinese institutions, and by 2007 the school had Chinese clubs and Standard Mandarin as one of the languages offered.

Examination courses

St George's students follow two-year GCSE courses, leading to examination at age 16, at the end of S4. Most girls will take nine subjects, including English Literature and English Language.

Engineering club

The school has an engineering club in which the members are restoring a Triumph Spitfire car.

British Council’s International School Award (2017–2020)

In 2019 the school was awarded a two year grant to run an Erasmus + programme entitled Community and Culture. This allows girls currently in S2 (Upper 4) to work collaboratively with students in Austria and Italy. Students will visit each other’s schools and learn more about what community and culture mean for them.

Links with boys schools

Many events are held in conjunction with the long standing Edinburgh boys' school, Merchiston Castle School.

Notable alumni

• Kaye Adams, broadcaster and journalist
• Carol Brown Janeway, translator and editor.
• Phyllis Bone, sculptor and first female member of the Royal Scottish Academy
• Sheila Burnford, novelist
• Dr Cordelia Fine, academic psychologist and writer
• Brigit Forsyth, actor
• Louise Linton, screenwriter and actress
• Candia McWilliam, award-winning author
• Penny Macmillan, journalist and broadcaster
• Kathleen Scott, Baroness Kenett, sculptor.
• Marie Stopes, scientist, author and pioneer in the field of birth control.
• Katie Targett-Adams, musician and recording artist
• Alice Thompson, novelist, 1996 winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize
• Isabel Oakeshott, award-winning journalist, author and commentator

Boarding

The girls from the ages of ten to eighteen live in Houldsworth House on the campus on the edge of the school grounds. The student Head of Boarding is elected by the boarders. The school has around 50 boarders, about 7% of the number of pupils. The boarders form an integral part of the school and are made up of approximately 50% UK and 50% international students. St George's School celebrated the centenary of boarding at the school in 2012.

References

References

1. "St George's 130th Birthday (2018–2019) » St George's School For Girls".
2. lamotte, bornie. (26 July 2021). "St George's School Extends Provision for Boys in Younger Primary Years".
3. "All-through Schools are an Education in Getting it Right for Kids – Alex Hems".
4. "Our School Structure – St George's School for Girls in Edinburgh".
5. Begg, Tom. (2004). "Daniell [née Carter], Madeline Margaret (1832–1906), educationist".
6. (2004). "Mair, Dame Sarah Elizabeth Siddons (1846–1941), promoter of women's education and campaigner for women's rights".
7. "Our School's History - St George's Independent Day & Boarding School".
8. "Part 5: The Four Provincial Committees: 1907 onwards".
9. "Our School's History – St George's Independent Day & Boarding School".
10. "St George's: Scotland – A Top Girls' Private Independent Day & Boarding School".
11. O'Malley, Brendan. (2007-04-14). "Och aye the noodle". [[South China Morning Post]].
12. "Open Morning Speech 2019".
13. "St George's School links with Merchiston Castle School for boys".
14. (6 June 1969). "Carol Brown engaged to William H. Janeway". The New York Times.
15. "Notable Alumnae " St George's School For Girls". Stge.org.uk.
16. "Cordelia Fine". Cordelia Fine.
17. (February 2013). "Scotland's Boarding Schools".
18. "St George's School For Girls".
19. (December 2012). "Boarding Centenary".