Life

Each child’s wellbeing is the most important part of their life at Fettes Prep and we treat our boarders and day pupils in exactly the same way and take the utmost care in looking after them all. We want your child to learn in a happy, safe environment, where they are supported throughout their journey within the Fettes Prep family: at the heart of this is the role of the tutor.

The Form Tutor is the first point of contact for parents and pupils and will be a real champion for each of their tutees, keeping a watchful eye and offering valuable advice on all areas of school life: academics; activities; sport; relationships; developing resilience; and personal organisation to name just a few. Indeed, the tutor will get to know your child very well, not only through daily registration sessions and weekly tutor meetings but around the school, both in and out of the classroom. Parental access to tutors operates on an open door basis and contact is very often by email in the first instance but, equally, can be in person, especially at morning drop-off times. We see establishing and maintaining the triangle between children, parents and school as key to helping the all-round development of the young people in our care.

There are very positive relationships between staff and pupils and genuine care is taken by the older pupils in looking after younger ones. Visitors often comment on the “happy atmosphere” which is combined with purposeful endeavour and complemented by a sense of fun and camaraderie.

The Care Inspectorate noted in their recent inspection: “The Preparatory School in particular was impressively nurturing and child-centred”.

We are proud of our pastoral care and the school is small enough that members of staff really do get to know every pupil and are on hand to help with any issues that arise There is always a trusted adult nearby to whom a child can turn. The boarders are looked after by the dedicated houseparents and other resident staff, and all the pupils benefit from the medical care of our own team of matrons as well as, if needs be, the College Medical Centre.

We have a Pastoral Leadership Team which monitors and develops our practices and policies; oversees the work of the tutors; and helps shape and support the various messages delivered to the children through tutor times, PSHE lessons, assemblies, talks by visitors and our weekly Chapel services. Periodically we offer advice to parents, too, either by email or in the form of meetings on topics such as internet safety; any such meetings are led by specialists in the field.

Our staff sit with children during meal times to ensure that each pupil has a balanced meal. The catering team provides a wide range of delicious, healthy and exciting food throughout each day, as well as fruit and snacks at break times. The pupils’ Food Committee puts forward suggestions and this group, along with the Pupil Council, gives our children the opportunity to take responsibility; this is supplemented in their final year when all of our pupils take part in leadership training and take a turn in being prefects.

At Fettes Prep we endeavour to help our pupils to gain the skills to thrive as individuals and members of families and wider communities. PSHE gives us an opportunity to deliver a programme of learning through which our children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives. PSHE is taught under the umbrella of three main strands: Health and Wellbeing; Relationships; and Living in the Wider World.

The school seeks to support the physical, emotional and social well-being of every member of our community. We aim to provide all pupils with an appreciation and understanding of issues that they may experience now or in the future. Our objective is to provide helpful, accurate information relating to areas of their personal and social development. We offer opportunities for them to further develop key attributes such as: resilience; resourcefulness; relationships; decision making; risk assessment; communication skills and strategies for coping.

Arran Houseparent - Richard Mill

I feel very privileged to be entrusted with the care and welfare of your children at this most important stage of their development and to play a part in inspiring them to grow into good, honest, young men.
It is incredibly uplifting to live so close to the heart of the spectacular city of Edinburgh, surrounded by the natural beauty of the sea and hills. My aim is for us all to enjoy our time together in this wonderful environment, to be respectful of each other and work as hard as possible to be the best version of ourselves.
The boarding team and I encourage the boys to join in with all of the activities and opportunities that Fettes has to offer. It is our hope that the experience and skills learnt with us will continue to be of use when they move on to the next chapter of their lives, and will leave Arran equipped with wonderful memories and the attributes of respect and humility.

Who's who in Arran:

Mr Richard Mill - Houseparent

Mrs Wendy Fisher - Residential Tutor

Ms Dorothy Swanston - Matron

Miss Diane Davidson (Miss D) - Houseparent of Iona 

I am thrilled to be Houseparent of Iona House. Having worked as a Matron in one of the Senior School houses for the last twelve years, I have had many years of experience in caring for boarding pupils.

Throughout my time at Fettes, I have leant that you get the most out of school life when you are fully involved, and I will be encouraging all the girls in the Iona community to seize every opportunity that comes their way.

Who's who in Iona:

Miss Diane Davidson - Houseparent

Miss Emily Younger - Residential Tutor

Mrs Samantha Greenwell - Matron