"Fettes College, a vast gothic extravaganza, is just 10 minutes from Edinburgh’s Princes Street but sits in 100 acres of countryside. The school, founded in 1870 under the will of Sir William Fettes, a successful wine and tea merchant and former Lord Provost of Edinburgh, educates children from eight to 18. It used to have a hearty, rugger-bugger, Caledonian image but genuine co-education since 1981 and a big influx of foreign pupils have softened things. It has also modernised rapidly over recent years. The head designed a tartan for pupils in 1996 to make everyone feel comfortable north of the border. Rugby is still a big sport here – the school came top recently in the Scottish Schools’ Under-15 Plate at Murrayfield. Hockey, lacrosse and cricket are also successful. Even if you don’t like team games there is no need to avoid exercise – the Westwoods Health Club in the grounds is available to pupils as well as the general public. Fettes is known as the Eton of Scotland – its results for both UK-wide exams and Highers are often top of the Scottish league tables. It will always be known as the school attended by Tony Blair – although Blair himself seldom mentions the fact."
Tatler Schools Guide

Headmaster:

Since 1998, Mr Michael C B Spens MA (fifties) educated at Marlborough and Selwyn College where he read natural sciences. Came to Fettes after five years as head of Caldicott, having previously spent 20 years at Radley where he was housemaster and taught geology, after a short spell in business. The transition between junior and senior schools is always an interesting one but Mr Spens has weathered his double change with charm and élan – one might say nonchalance but that would be harsh, and misleading – quarter is not easily found here; there is a tightly wound spring beneath the cultivated appearance of charm and relaxation. Expect zero tolerance on the drugs front. 'The students don't want it around,' and the Fettesian druggy alcy image no longer makes headlines in the Scottish press. Fettes is challenging allcomers as Scotland's school of choice, surprisingly, even on the day front, 'and we're more expensive than the others,' says the head – but then we are talking Edinburgh, (think mink and nae knickers). Married to Debbie, they have three young children (all at Fettes) and a much loved labrador ('Kiwi, because she's all black'). Charismatic, vibrant, fun. Fettes and Mr Spens are zinging. He is currently forefront of the campaign to keep Scottish independent schools' charitable status and all over the Sunday papers.

Academic Matters:

Almost all heads of departments have changed during the past seven years, 'new young staff', 'very good', 'strong', 'Edinburgh is a strong draw'; and, having played the Scottish versus the English system along with all the other big players, Fettes is adding the IB to its exam choice from 2006. Pupils will be able to choose whether they want to specialise – in which case they will be encouraged to do A levels, or decide whether the broader IB syllabus, with its extended theory of knowledge will suit them better. Highers will still be on offer over one year 'to broaden' those on A level courses. This is a brave decision, but Mr Spens appears to think that it is possible to mix the three disciplines. Pupils will be offered positive advice and encouragement on which route to take, 'but parents' wishes at the end of the day are followed'. Three sciences on offer throughout, plus trad French, German and Spanish, as well as Russian, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese (available for beginners as well as for native speakers); and all these can be taken as a one year higher, from scratch if need be. No particular bias, physics, chemistry, history and geography outstanding at GCSE level, Maths and English almost equally strong, results in all disciplines equally impressive at A level (88 per cent A+B grades). Art results outstanding throughout the school (3 out of the top 5 A level candidates nationally for the second year in succession). Tranche of outstanding French GCSEs taken early. Strong tradition of classics; government and politics and history of art available at A level. Broad range of subjects available but not the biggest take up at A level in langs, classics or further maths.

Foreign pupils with minimal English are no longer accepted willy-nilly unless they happen to be particularly bright, or have siblings in the school. EFL is on hand, but pupils who don't have 'a pretty good working knowledge of English' are encouraged to do an English lang course before they arrive (Edinburgh School of English is popular). Good staff:pupil ratio. 'Computers zooming ahead'. School wireless networked throughout, with all senior school students having their own laptop, school can provide at 1500 quid a pop including software and insurance, or pupils can opt for their own. A very high proportion of leavers (95+ per cent) go on to university; on average 12 Oxbridge places each year.

Fettes is creaming off the academic elite of Edinburgh, be they boarder or day.

Games, Options, the Arts:

Wide range of opportunity for games. 'Rugby is strong, though no longer a religion' (73 blues to date). Needle matches with Glenalmond and Merchiston on the rugby field and Strathallan in hockey. Lacrosse impressive, girls play hockey and netball as well – sixth form not forced to play team games at all – swimming or aerobics are also available. Big new sports centre and swimming pool providing a wide range of other sports, old pool (a delicious antediluvian gem) is used for sub-aqua, canoeing and the like.

Music 'a huge strength' with loads of bands and orchestras and three choirs and a string quartet etc etc, two popular concerts in spring and autumn plus carol service (strangely not for charity – that is left to the sportsfolk who run mini marathons et al). Les Mis the most recent production with over 100 pupils involved. Keen drama with imaginative productions, pupils often perform at the Edinburgh Festival (and win awards). New art centre in pipeline (still) and 'very inspirational head of art' (another one if you follow) recently appointed. Pipe band popular. CCF, community service, D of E etc. Masses of trips, everywhere, for everything.

Background and Atmosphere:

Vast Grimms' fairy-tale of a building, turreted and with acres of wood panelling and shiny black floors (are they granite or stone flag underneath the tarry surface?) purpose-built in 1870 by Bryce. Part of the main building still has the original steam driven heating which starts up twice a day with alarming groans and wheezes – ripe for the engineering museum methinks.

Various Victorian edifices scattered about the school's wonderful 90 acre grounds plonk in the middle of Edinburgh. 'School uses Edinburgh much more now,' says the head. Spectacular development after school sold 'redundant' acres to build Fettes Village, a collection of neat little boxes which splits the games field and provide the cash for much needed expansion. The collection of new and converted buildings that house the new prep department are much bigger than they look from the outside, an example of space well used, and about to be extended. The school is also about to build itself a new house to accommodate the expanded sixth form which is due to increase by 25 per cent: both events to coincide in 2007. The new build, which will include a sixth form centre but not a bar (illegal in Scotland – but of course they can leave the grounds and go out for their two units of alcohol) will house 125 upper sixth pupils in two identical wings (surely this should be 126 or 124?) each with their own individual room and will provide a transition between the disciplines of school and uni with pupils being able to cook their own meals if they want to. Planners have accepted a fifteen year development plan (well done those architects – difficult with conservation and all that) and whilst funding is in place for the new sixth form house, some serious fund raising looms for the future.

The school has gradually metamorphosed from famous trad boys' school to genuinely co-ed. Girls have been head of school twice in recent years and the flavour has changed from home-grown Scots to more exotic, with an influx from the Far East.

Pastoral Care and Discipline:

Despite colourful stories in the Edinburgh press in past years – drugs, booze, sex etc, grossly overstated says the head – there is a clear framework of discipline that is well understood by all. This is a school with a zero tolerance policy on drugs. Edinburgh is the drugs capital of the north and running a school in the middle of it is no joke. Under-age drinking is an acknowledged problem. Three tier system on the discipline side: housemaster/deputy head/head = rustication/formal warning and suspension or expulsion. Ditto smoking. Very clear house visiting rules – no overt demonstrations of affection; bonking equals out. And yes, they do lose the occasional pupil for all these misdemeanours ditto bullying. Strong anti-bullying ethos. Prefects very responsible: imaginative bullying (anti-bullying?) code involves culprits writing down what they must or must not do and signing it. Expulsion is always an option.

Pupils and Parents:

School topped up with many non-Brits in the bad old days, now the mix is veering more towards the British norm but still collections of exotic foreigners – Russians, Chinese, Japanese, Americans, Ukrainians but fewer Bulgarians than previously. School not keen on European pupils who 'only want to come for lower sixth, leaving a hole in upper sixth'. Increasing numbers of locals and Scots from all over. 'Pupils from 34 different countries, East European connection sadly dropping off.' Very strong old Fettesian stream, plus loads of first time buyers, intellectuals etc etc. Good vibrant mix. Old Fettesians include John de Chastelaine, Ian McLeod, James Bond, Tilda Swinton, Lord Woolf and Tony Blair – remembered fondly for 'his acting ability'.

Entrance:

CE or school's own exam for those not coming from UK preps. 'Hurdle' exam from own prep; approx 25 students a year join the sixth form after GCSE elsewhere, currently much sought after as pupils pile in from other, mainly Scottish, schools.

Exit:

University or further education the norm with 12 Oxbridge places last year, and about one third taking a gap year; favoured universities are – as ever – Newcastle, St Andrews, Durham, London, Bristol, Leeds, Warwick, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Money Matters:

Well endowed with academic scholarships which can be supplemented with bursaries when the chips are down – if necessary up to 100 per cent - ‘the level of these awards depend upon parents’ financial means and can cover up to the full value of the fees’. Special (Todd) bursaries for Old Fettesians, 12.5 per cent discount for Services (not so many of these around).

Remarks:

Undoubtedly the strongest school in Edinburgh – possibly riding too high? – to quote one governor, 'it is better to have a challenge, otherwise we become complacent'. Head adds, 'no danger of becoming complacent, the most dangerous thing in a school is to stand still'. Exciting cosmopolitan mix in an exciting city.

Good Schools Guide Review of Fettes College