Our Salvesen Art School boasts a state-of-the-art library and well-equipped light-filled studios. We champion research and innovation through an experimental approach, inspiring students to embark on transformative creative journeys where inquiry and experiential learning shape their progress.

Middle School Curriculum

• Third Form (13+ years)
  • All students in the Third Form study Art, we offer a broad based course in which every student gains experience in each of our specialist areas. We introduce all our students to the possibilities within the subject, help them to gain skills in a variety of processes and inspire them to continue exploring these on the GCSE course or within our many co-curricular activities.
• Fourth & Fifth Form (14-15+ years) 
  • We follow the AQA GCSE syllabus which allows a very broad and flexible approach, and we encourage students to work to their strengths and within their individual areas of interest.

Sixth Form – A Level and IB Pathways

• In the Lower Sixth Form (16+ years) we teach both A level and IB groups together for much of the year. This bespoke course promotes an academic approach to research but at the same time encourages an experimental and experiential approach which aligns with the structure and ethos of both the A Level and IB specifications. This course develops practical skills and critical and theoretical understanding before each student embarks on their independent course of study in the Upper Sixth. All the art teachers at Fettes work together in both the planning and the delivery of this exciting course. Students then follow the AQA A level syllabus or follow the IB Visual Arts course at either Higher Level or Standard Level. In the Upper Sixth, A Level and IB students are taught in separate groups to prepare them for their distinct examinations.

Co- Curricular 

• Across all year groups, we use local galleries and special site visits to support our teaching. Our Artist in Residence is heavily involved in the work of the Sixth Form, bringing the perspective of a professional artist into the department, showing work and giving talks, contributing to critiques and generally offering opportunities to explore ideas about the subject.
• We also offer a range of clubs, open to all students, allowing those not studying Art to benefit from our facilities. We hold weekly portfolio preparation sessions for those applying for Fine Art, design or Architecture courses at university, and we invite artists and other speakers to contribute to our Art Society programme.

Subject specific university destinations

• Every year we successfully help our students apply for places on prestigious Art Foundation and Degree courses in all disciplines including Architecture. In recent years our students have gone on to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Leeds, Newcastle, Bath, Belfast and London. 

Staff

• Laura Sutherland MFA (Head of Art Department)
• Ben Owen MA
• Rachel Humphries BA
• Lauren Browne BA (Artist in Residence)
• Simon Overton MA (Technician)
• Clare Overton BDes (Technician)

"Throughout the year we present exhibitions of work by students at all levels. This encourages them to test out ideas beyond the studio setting, and consider how their work might be received by an audience. It is always exciting to see how they rise to this challenge and consequently take their work further into development." 

Laura Sutherland Head of Art

Our Biology Department offers students a unique combination of world class opportunities: work experience in local hospitals, visits to the Royal Botanical Gardens, speakers from Edinburgh University, trips to Surgeon’s Hall, utilising university level equipment – all within walking distance of our campus.

Middle School Curriculum

Third Form (13+ years) & Fourth Form (14+ years)

• The Edexcel IGCSE course starts in the Third Form but with an emphasis on the critical thinking and experimental skills of the IGCSE course. The volume of biology content is comparatively minimal.
• Fourth and Fifth Form continue with the IGCSE course but with more of a focus on the biology content and reinforcing the critical thinking and experimental skills learnt in Third Form.

Sixth Form – A Level and IB Pathways

• Sixth Form (16+ years) students will study the AQA A level course.  
• Alternatively, students can study biology at IB Standard Level or Higher Level. This course involves a three day residential field trip to the Isle of Cumbrae to teach the ecology element of the course in situ and collect data for the coursework component – which accounts for 20% of their final grade.

Co-curricular

• As part of our academic enrichment, the department supports Sixth Form students with preparation for the national Biology Olympiad courses and a range of essay competitions that enhance any prospective university application. 
• The department also runs a dedicated Medics, Dentists and Vet Society which supports students in producing competitive applications to both national and international universities. Extensive UCAT practise is provided alongside support with personal statements. Practical volunteer work at hospitals and within the veterinary world is also provided.
• Each year group has biology specific trips that take advantage of our location in Edinburgh – the Botanical Gardens, Surgeon’s Hall, the Western General Hospital, the Royal College of Physicians and Edinburgh University all host Fettes students.

Staff

• Svend Larsen (Head of Biology Department)
• David Dowey
• Henry McCowan Hill
• Caoilinn Toland 

Subject specific university destinations

In recent years, students have gone on to Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, Yale as well as the suite of Russell Group universities where they have studied biology, biochemistry, zoology and medicine, to name but a few.

“The location of Fettes, in the heart of Edinburgh, and our strong partnerships mean the opportunities available to students studying biology is, in my opinion, second to none.”

Svend LarsenHead of Biology

Chemistry students at Fettes explore beyond the curriculum, applying their knowledge to the world around them. With opportunities in inter-house and national competitions and guidance from experts in well-equipped labs, they engage in diverse, hands-on experiments. 

Middle School Curriculum

Third, Fourth and Fifth Forms (ages 13-15+ years)  

• The Edexcel International GCSE (IGCSE) offers an engaging and inspiring modern syllabus, perfect for students seeking a final science qualification or a strong foundation for A Level and IB. The course emphasises experimental work and introduces core Chemistry topics, sparking curiosity and deepening understanding. 

Sixth Form – A Level and IB Pathways

• The OCR A Level and IB courses revisit IGCSE topics with greater depth, enhancing students' laboratory confidence through independent lab work and scientific investigation. These courses equip students with the knowledge and transferable skills needed for diverse university programmes, fostering a deeper understanding and passion for science.

Co-curricular

The Department participates in a number of national competitions across the year groups;

• For the Middle School (13-15+ years): Top of the Bench and the National Scientific Thinking Challenge
• For Sixth Form: The RSC Schools’ Analyst Competition, Cambridge Chemistry Challenge and for students in the Upper Sixth, the RSC UK Olympiad.

We have a thriving Chemistry Society and it’s aim is to encourage the students to think beyond their syllabus through a programme of practical and more theoretical activities, including the Crystal Growing competition.

Taking advantage of our location, we also organise trips to a number of external exhibitions and lectures, in Edinburgh.

Staff

• Euan Cathro (Head of Chemistry Department)
• Jamie Butlin
• Kate Fairbairn  
• Erika Wardrope
• Lynden Whyte  
• Barbara Walker (Technician)

Subject specific university destinations

In recent years, a number of our students have gone on to study Chemistry, Biochemistry and other related subjects at universities such as Oxford, Bristol, and Melbourne.

"Chemistry is everywhere, and their learning will reflect that."

Euan Cathro Head of Chemistry

Classics students at Fettes consistently achieve the top grades and are immersed in the cultures of the Romans and Ancient Greeks. The Classical World is brought to life through opportunities such as the Third Form Ancient Olympics Day and trips to the ancient sites of Greece and Italy.

Middle School Curriculum

• Third Form (13+ years) 
  • Third Form students can study both Latin and Greek, which includes some Classical Civilisation topics. They work through John Taylor’s Latin and Greek to GCSE textbooks.
• Fourth Form (14+ years)
  • Fourth Form students can study Latin, Greek or Classical Civilisation to GCSE level, following the OCR GCSE specifications.

Sixth Form – A Level and IB Pathways

• Sixth Form students can study Latin, Greek or Classical Civilisation at A Level following the OCR A Level specifications. Alternatively, students can study Latin or Greek at IB Standard or Higher Level, following this IB specification.

Co-curricular

• The Classics Department runs biannual trips to Classical sites. Previous trips have been to Greece, Sicily, and Rome and the Bay of Naples.
• All Third Form students at Fettes take part in an Ancient Olympics Day.
• The Classics Society hosts speakers each term from top Universities to talk to our students as well as those from local schools, and we seek opportunities to take students to talks put on nearby.
• We run Sixth Form trips to London to see productions of Classical plays and visit the British Museum. We also take students to the annual Sixth Form Classics Conference at the University of Newcastle.
• We utilise our location in Edinburgh, visiting sites such as the National Museum of Scotland as well as the High Court.

Staff

• Clare McDonnell MA (Head of Classics Department) 
• Camilla Smith BA
• Terry MacEwen BA, MEd  
• Kitty Rowlands MA

Subject specific university destinations

In recent years, students from the Classics Department have gone on to study Classics at Oxford, Cambridge and St Andrews, and Classical Civilisation and Ancient History at Glasgow and Newcastle.

“Studying Classics illuminates not only the past, but is entirely relevant to the present.”

Clare McDonnellHead of Classics

Our vision in the Computer Science department is to inspire each individual student to develop those crucial, high impact, computational thinking skills that are essential in modern society. Through an engaging curriculum, students explore a range of Computer Science principles from practical coding skills to the technologies behind Artificial Intelligence.

Middle School Curriculum

• Third Form (13+ years)
  • Our Third Form Computer Science course guides students through many of the fundamental principles and modern developments in Computer Science.  From python programming, to cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, our Third Form course is immersive and engaging, designed to inspire and challenge all students regardless of their previous coding experience.
• Fourth and Fifth Form (14-15+ years) 
  • For GCSE Computer Science, students study the Pearson EDEXCL specification.
  • The course is split into 2 papers, Principles of Computer Science and Application of Computational Thinking. Students will use the Python programming language for the practical coding aspect of this course.

Sixth Form - A Level and IB Pathways

• For A-Level Computer Science we follow the OCR specification. The course is split into three components. Computer Systems and Algorithms and Programming are examined by written exam at the end of Upper Sixth with the third being a large, solo, Practical Project that is conducted though most of the Upper Sixth Form. 
• IB Computer Science is offered at both Higher Level and Standard Levels. Computer Science lies within group 4 of the diploma programme and as such is regarded as a science. 
  • In paper 1 Standard Level and Higher Level students answer questions on core topics such as System fundamentals, Computer organisation, networks and computational thinking.  Higher Level students are assessed on further topics such as abstract data structures, resource management and control.
  • In paper 2, Higher Level and Standard Level students answer questions on Object-Oriented Programming which is our option of choice for this paper.
  • In paper 3, Higher Level students only answer questions on a case study they have been working though during the Upper Sixth year.
  • There is also a large practical programming project that Standard Level and Higher Level students must complete.

Co-curricular

Students can further enhance their skills by joining one of two coding clubs, Hour of Code for novice programmers, and CompSci++ for those looking for further stretch and challenge. These clubs are also open to those who do not study GCSE Computer Science and many students join our coding clubs and choose to explore Java and other languages such as C++ either for fun or as part of the CompSci++ club.   

Staff

• Dan Stewart (Head of Computer Science Department)
• Robert Concannon
• Hannah Ford
• Jason Pitt (Director of IT)

Subject specific university destinations

Students who have gone on to study Computer Science at university in recent years have done so at Durham, Edinburgh, King's College London, University of London, Bath, Heriot-Watt and Exeter.

"AI & Machine Learning is a hot topic right now and one which is at the forefront of research and development in Computer Science.  Our Third Form students explore this in lessons by using ‘Google Teachable Machine’ to create their own machine learning models, and training models, to recognise and categorise image and audio samples in a fun and creative way."Dan Stewart Head of Computer Science

Drama mixes the technical with the practical, performance with theory, making it a unique course at Fettes. Candidates learn to be practically able and to be critically reflective. This combination of the practical and theoretical makes for a rigorous and engaging course, which gives students real life skills, used far beyond the confines of school. We find that it is often the less confident students who benefit from the ‘life skills’ elements, such as movement and voice training.

Middle School Curriculum

• Third Form (13+ years)
  • All Third Form students study Drama and Theatre. They have the opportunity to explore a range of drama forms in our flexible and adaptable studio space and theatre.
  • The year culminates in a Drama Showcase in which students are given the opportunity to perform their own original devised drama pieces.
• Fourth and Fifth Form (14-15+ years)
  • Cambridge IGCSE (9-1) Drama is a challenging and dynamic course which is unashamedly practical and produces confident actors and creators of theatre.

Sixth Form - A Level and IB Pathways

• A-level Drama and Theatre: A level - Drama and Theatre
• IB Theatre: Theatre
• A-level and IB Theatre take students on the journey from actor to director and leaves students with the right to refer to themselves as creators of theatre. There is a strong emphasis on studio work, providing students with opportunities to improve, present and acquire new skills both as performers, directors and or technicians.

Co-curricular

• The dramatic year begins with the Middle School Play Festival in the Autumn Term, which is directed by students and adjudicated by an industry professional.
• The main school production, which may be a classic play, new writing or a full-blown musical, takes place at the end of the Autumn Term.
• The Spring Term is the Middle School Play performance
• In the Summer Term students in the Lower Sixth direct and perform the Lower Sixth Play.
• Apart from the obvious opportunities provided for budding actors we also rely on student involvement in the technical aspects of theatre, including make-up, costume, set design, lighting and sound. We are aided in this by our Theatre Technician.
• There are variety of Drama clubs on offer throughout the year including; Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre and Drama Skills.
• Trinity Speech and Drama lessons are available from Mrs Kirsty Du Vivier.

Theatre on our doorstep

In addition to all our in-house drama we take regular theatre trips both within Edinburgh and further afield. We are very fortunate to be in Edinburgh which is well served by a number of theatres which offer a wide range of drama: mixing well known tried and tested favourites with new more eclectic writing.

Staff List

• Ruth Wearmouth (Head of Academic Drama)
• Ed Boulter Comer
• Kirsty Du Vivier
• Peter Jenkins (Head of Co-Curricular Drama)
• Samuel Green (Theatre Technician)

Subject specific university destinations

Students regularly choose to go on to study Drama, Theatre and Tech, having worked in the department, examples include Trinity Laban Conservatoire and University of East London.

"Drama is an important part of the academic and co-curricular life of Fettes."

Ruth Wearmouth Head of Academic Drama

Economics is a dynamic social science which encompasses everything from the foundations of individual decision making to the design of public policy making. Most textbooks will start by telling you that Economics is about the concept of scarcity and the problem of resource allocation. Though true, there is so much more to the study of Economics; more than anything else, it is the study of choice. More broadly, it is the study of how our decisions (and the institutional contexts in which we make those decisions) impact our success in achieving our wants and addressing our needs.

Middle School Curriculum

• Fourth Form (14+ years)
  • Fourth Form students have the opportunity to start their study of Economics earlier than most other schools by taking the Edexcel IGCSE in Economics.

Sixth Form – A Level and IB Pathways

• Sixth Form students can study Economics at A Level following the Edexcel A Level Economics A specification. Alternatively, students can study Economics as a Group 3 subject following the IB Economics specification at either Higher Level or Standard Level.

Co-curricular

• The Economics Department runs an annual trip to London where we visit the Bank of England, the City of London, London School of Economics, as well as attending a Sixth Form conference with impressive speakers; last year we heard from Kate Raworth, Senior Associate at Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute, and Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Advisor at the Centre for Economics and Business Research.
• The Economics Society provides an opportunity for Sixth Form students to challenge themselves by going beyond the curriculum and learning about economics which is more usually encountered at undergraduate level, such as game theory.
• We run local trips to several lectures each term to hear from visiting speakers.
• We also make the most of our location in Edinburgh as there are excellent opportunities; a recent highlight was the department trip to the Scottish Opera’s ‘Marx in London!’ which was a unique way to introduce students to the life and works of Karl Marx!

Staff

• Matt McBride BA (Head of Economics Department)
• Campbell Davidson BA, MSc  
• Solenn Gueganton MA (IB Coordinator)
• Sam Shelley BSc  

Subject specific university destinations

Economics-related degrees are consistently some of the most popular courses for our students with recent destinations in the last three years including Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, LSE, Warwick, Durham, and many other universities.

"Fettesians who choose to study Economics gain not only an understanding of how the world works, but also how to make it a better place. Studying Economics at Fettes helps students to develop an analytical approach to some of the major challenges of our time, such as climate change, inequality, poverty, globalisation, automation, and many others. Effective solutions to these problems require the insights provided by Economics."

Matt McBride Head of Economics

Engineering, Enterprise & Technology (EET) is all about solving problems using iterative design principles. With modern rapid prototyping technologies, students can quickly realise their ideas and put them to the test. Through project-based learning, students learn future-proof skills whilst allowing them the freedom to explore their creativity.

Middle School Curriculum   

• Third Form (13+ years)
  • EET is designed to equip Third Form students with problem-solving skills that extend beyond the classroom. Through the use of rapid prototyping technology, students engage in long-term projects where they apply classroom learning to develop their own ideas. Employing an iterative design approach, students achieve success by generating ideas, creating prototypes, and testing them to determine the next steps.
  • The curriculum in the Third Form is structured to build knowledge on navigating design tasks using the available facilities and materials. For those of our students continuing with EET beyond Third Form these skills will be invaluable in developing their own projects in future years.
• Fourth Form and Fifth Form (14-15+ years)
  • EET in the Fourth & Fifth Form provides a bespoke offering to students at Fettes. Students will unleash their creativity and technical ability on a major project of their choice. By emulating problem-solving in the real world, students will gain experience in engineering beyond a typical Design and Technology course.
  • Students in the Fourth & Fifth Form will work towards a Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) rather than a GCSE. This route also offers the possibility to submit project work to earn Arkwright Scholarship and a gold-level Crest Award.
  • The HPQ offers greater flexibility to produce more interesting projects which are tailored to the student's interests without the confines of GCSE coursework mark schemes and examinations. Whilst the HPQ is the aim of this course, the possibility of gaining further qualifications from their projects helps our students to build a rich portfolio of work for application into higher education 

Staff

Michael Alton (Founding Head of EET) 

"Adding Engineering, Enterprise and Technology (EET) into the curriculum provides our students with the opportunity to problem solve through perseverance and curiosity, while also allowing them to foster these skills through the practical application of knowledge. This new kind of learning provides more opportunities for richer problem-solving experiences both in and out of the classroom. " Michael Alton Founding Head of EET

The English Department is located at the west end of the main - Bryce -building, looking out across the wonderful Edinburgh skyline. Edinburgh became the first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004 and the city is home to the world’s largest Arts Festival. We are so fortunate to have such a rich cultural life right on our doorstep.  

Middle School Curriculum 

• Third, Fourth and Fifth Forms (13-15+ years)
  • All Middle School students build towards IGCSEs in English Language and English Literature.  Our Third Form curriculum offers a broad range of opportunities (including poetry, the novel, Shakespeare, non-fiction and inter-class debating). In the Fourth and Fifth Form we follow the Edexcel IGCSE courses for English Language A (4EA1) and English Literature (4ET1).  Reading for pleasure is essential to students’ development and we have a dedicated fiction room at the heart of the Library.

Sixth Form – A Level and IB Pathways 

• English is one of the most popular Sixth Form subjects at Fettes and there are more than 150 students studying Literature (whether for A Level or the IB). There are two pathways to choose from: A Level English Literature – OCR (H472), and English A Literature (IB Diploma). Both routes offer a rich and varied diet: we teach more than 50 different texts in the Sixth Form (including work in translation and contemporary fiction).

Co-curricular 

• We are extraordinarily fortunate to have a wealth of cultural opportunities within walking distance of Fettes College. We organise regular trips to author events at local bookshops, as well as trips to the theatre, ballet, musicals and opera. There are poetry festivals (Push the Boat Out) and literary walking tours in the city. We also take our students to London (to Shakespeare’s Globe and the British Library), or to the Trossachs for immersive Nature Writing excursions in the hills. Our students have enjoyed success in national writing competitions: one of our Upper Sixth students made the final shortlist of five for the prestigious BBC Young Writers competition 2023 and two members of our Lower Sixth were shortlisted for the Edward Thomas Fellowship Essay Prize in 2024.
• Students also have the opportunity to get involved in our very own Fettes Radio.

Staff

• Andrew Speedy (Head of English Department)
• Lizzie Palmer (Second in Department)
• Vikki Chandler    
• Andrew Archibald    
• Isabel Marks             
• Peter Jenkins           
• Iain Loudon 
• Maggie Rait              
• Kirsty Du Vivier         

Subject specific university destinations

Recent leavers have gone on to study English at a range of destinations, including: Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Durham, UCL, Bristol, Exeter, Warwick, York and Manchester.

"To mark the launch of her latest novel, The Burial Plot, we were thrilled to welcome back bestselling author Elizabeth Macneal (OF). A particular highlight of her visit was the fantastic creative writing workshop that she ran for some of our Third and Fourth Form students.” Andrew SpeedyHead of English

Like our increasingly interconnected world, Fettes is linguistically diverse and English as an Additional Language (EAL) offers multiple opportunities for international students.

Middle School and Sixth Form Curriculum

• Third Form (13+ years) and above
  • EAL support is consistent across all year groups in the Senior School and is tailored to meet the specific needs of individual students.  

  • Through shared learning and tailored support, our small group or one-on-one sessions create an environment where language acquisition can be integrated with subject content, enabling students to simultaneously develop their language skills and deepen their understanding of the subject matter. In addition, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) support is available either by request or through an internal referral.

  • We aim to enrich the academic experience by fostering greater inclusion, connectivity, understanding, and unity.

Staff

• Natalia Blackman (Teacher of EAL)

"The aim of EAL provision is to help international students acquire proficiency in English, empowering them to effectively engage with the curriculum and actively participate in all aspects of life at Fettes and beyond."

Natalia BlackmanTeacher of EAL

In our vibrant Geography Department the student-run Geography and Sustainability Societies meet weekly and Geographic Information System (GIS) and Fieldtrips are an essential part of the learning experience where  students have the opportunity to explore our local environment while also offering exciting international trips, such as immersive adventures in the Azores and Iceland.

Middle School Curriculum

• Third Form Curriculum (13+ years)
  • We engage our youngest senior school students by connecting them to global issues within a local framework. Our journey starts with honing map skills through DigiMaps to geolocate our school, homes, and significant locations. Subsequently, we delve into the geographical landscape of Edinburgh, culminating in an immersive experience on Field Day that includes a bus tour across the city and an ascent of Edinburgh's dormant volcano, Arthur’s Seat. We then go on to explore diverse topics including Tropical Rainforests, the Arctic, Development challenges, and the environmental impacts of Fast Fashion.
• Fourth Form and Fifth Form (14-15+ years)
  • Through the Cambridge IGCSE Geography syllabus, learners will develop a 'sense of place' by looking at the world around them on a local, regional and global scale. Learners will examine a range of natural and man-made environments, and study some of the processes which affected their development. They will also look at how people interact with their environment and the opportunities and challenges an environment can present, thereby gaining a deeper insight into the different communities and cultures around the world. This two-year course comprises physical and human geography including a coursework project worth 27.5% of the student's grade. For this we look at our local river, The Water of Leith, and how it changes from Source to Mouth.

Sixth Form - A Level and IB

• The OCR A Level Geography qualification develops students’ understanding of physical and human geography from a local through to a global scale. They develop practical fieldwork skills as they explore and think critically about the interactions between people and the environment and the issues arising. Our Option Topics are: Climate Change and Disease Dilemmas. Students complete a minimum of four days of fieldwork, including trips to East Lothian and Glasgow.
• The IB Geography course describes and helps explain the similarities and differences between different places, on various scales and from different perspectives. Geography as a subject is distinctive in its spatial dimension and occupies a middle ground between social or human sciences and natural sciences. The course integrates physical, environmental and human geography, and students acquire elements of both socio-economic and scientific methodologies. Geography takes advantage of its position to examine relevant concepts and ideas from a wide variety of disciplines, helping students develop life skills and have an appreciation of, and a respect for, alternative approaches, viewpoints and ideas. Our Option Topics are: The Geography of Food and Health, Urban Environments and Hazards and Disasters.

Staff:

• Hannah Cockburn (Head of Geography Department)
• Faris Bidier
• Alex Carter
• Yvonne Mitchell
• Rachel Nicol

Subject specific university destinations

In recent years, students have gone on to study Geography at St Andrews, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow Aberdeen, Kings College London and Exeter, to name but a few.

 “I feel really honoured to have won the Royal Geographical Society’s competition and to have the essay published by the Financial Times. Climate change is a topic I am really passionate about and writing the essay challenged my ideas about what the most significant risks and effective solutions are. This experience has made me even more excited to study Geography at university.”  

Upper Sixth Form Geography student Emily B. 

Read more here.

History at Fettes is very much alive: whether they’re looking at 20th century international relations at GCSE, the Early Modern Witch Craze for A level, or the roots of authoritarianism in the IB, our students engage with issues that remain controversial and important. Taught by a team of passionate subject specialists, students learn the value of critical analysis and the need for context. 

Middle School Curriculum

• Third Form (13+ years)
  • Housed in the main Fettes College building with reminders of the past all around us, Fettes History offers a range of popular themes beginning in Third Form with the First World War, which we can often look at through the experiences of former pupils. This is followed in the Spring and Summer Terms with a study of the Holocaust.
• Fourth and Fifth Form (14-15+ years)
  • Our students take IGCSE and follow the CIE Syllabus which explores the 20th century and which requires them to study international relations from the end of the First World War until the end of the Cold War. They also undertake a Depth Study of Germany from 1919 to 1945. This syllabus includes a 2000-word coursework essay, which is worth 30% of their overall grade.

Sixth Form - A Level and IB Pathways

• At A Level, our learners follow the OCR syllabus and are required to study a breadth of historical topics. These options are selected based on individual teacher specialism and include a broad range of options from the Tudors to Civil Rights; Revolutionary Russia to the Witchcraze of the 16^th Century. These courses are intellectually engaging and allow learners to develop their historical enquiry, analytical and evaluative skills. All students are required to complete a piece of coursework (worth 20% of their final mark), which allows them to further hone the skills they have developed through their A Level studies and demonstrate their capacity for independent research.
• At IB, students focus on 19^th Century Europe and the 20^th Century world. At Standard Level, students learn about Rights and Protest in South Africa and the United States; look at the Cold War through an international lens; and study the rise, consolidation, and maintenance of power of Authoritarian leaders such as Mussolini and Castro. At Higher Level, the road to the unification of Germany and Italy is the focus, alongside an examination of Imperial Russia and its demise. All students are required to complete a piece of coursework (the Internal Assessment), which is worth 20-25% of their grade depending on their pathway.

Co-curricular

The department offers extensive co-curricular activities for students to enrich their studies. These include the History Society, which hosts talks by in-house and visiting speakers, the Gargoyle magazine, and trips to destinations such as Berlin, Krakow, and the Battlefields of World War I.

Staff

• Tara McDonald (Head of History Department)
• Alastair Armstrong  
• Anushka Chakravarty 
• Charles Du Vivier  
• Jamie MacKenzie  
• David McDowell  
• Fraser Newham 
• William Swift  

Subject specific university destinations

History is a popular choice for students at university with places this year being secured at Oxford, St Andrews, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Bristol amongst others. 

“I believe the Fettes History department is unique in its ability to teach history in such a current way, whereby everything is examined to show the subject's enduring importance, making it an extremely mentally stimulating environment in which to learn.”  Clemmie B2024 Leaver and A Level Student

At Fettes we offer a personalised approach to mathematics education. From problem-solving clubs that give an opportunity to question your thinking, to advanced study sessions that challenge even the most enthusiastic of students, everyone can find their place here. We cultivate a vibrant learning community, committed to continuous improvement and lifelong enjoyment of this beautiful subject.

Middle School Curriculum

• Third Form (13+ years)
  • Students are introduced to the breadth of mathematical study during their first year. This provides a solid foundation in number, algebra and problem solving through everything from trigonometry and quadratics to sequences and simultaneous equations.
• Fourth Form and Fifth Form (14-15+ years)
  • All students follow the Edexcel International GCSE programme

Sixth Form - A Level and IB Pathways

• If a student opts for A Level they can choose between three pathways. Edexcel Mathematics A Level, and then in addition either Edexcel Further Mathematics AS Level, or Edexcel Further Mathematics A Level.
• At IB we offer the diploma programme in both Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (Standard Level and Higher Level) and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (Standard Level)

Co-curricular

From a Middle School club based on finding joy in problem-solving to preparation for University admission testing there is something for everyone outside the curriculum in Mathematics. Throughout the year we also enter a number of national competitions that are open to all who are interested.

Staff

• Katy Spencer (Head of Maths Department)
• Hannah Ford (Second in Department)
• Malcolm Fraser-Lewis
• Mark Frazer
• Steven French
• Lexi Markantonis
• Jenna Maguire
• Katy Matthews
• James Weatherby

Subject specific university destinations

In recent years, students have gone on to study Mathematics at the Universities of Durham, UCL, Edinburgh and Exeter, to name but a few, and we have also supported students to go on to study Engineering at Cambridge.

“Delighted our two Fettes teams finished first and second place in Edinburgh and within the top 10 in the UK in the 2024 Naboj maths competition - a two hour international competition taking place across Europe.”

Katy SpencerHead of Department

All Fettesians should be equipped with the tools to communicate in a modern world, in a Modern Language. Our students are filled with opportunities to do so both in and out of the classroom. They are accustomed to speaking with native speakers in lessons and in their individual oral sessions, and we offer regular trips and immersion opportunities in Mandarin, Spanish, French and German. We encourage all language learners to be creative and curious about the world around them. Many take Languages beyond the Sixth Form and University, in areas of business, intelligence, travel, media, diplomacy, law and security.

Middle School Curriculum

• Third Form (13 + years)
  • Third Form students can study two Modern Languages from Mandarin, Spanish, French and German.
• Fourth Form (14+ years)
  • All students must take at least one Modern Language, with some students opting to take two. Where possible, we are sometimes able to support home languages as an additional qualification to their chosen Modern Foreign Language.
  • Depending on the Language we follow either CIE IGCSE or Edexcel.
  • Our Fourth Form have the opportunity to become Language Leaders, which is an increasingly popular initiative run in the Languages Department.

Sixth Form – A Level and IB Pathways

• A Level:
  • A level students can currently study Spanish, French, German and Mandarin at A Level. 
  • A Level Languages aim to give relevant and up-to-date knowledge about the language and the culture of the country (countries) where the language is spoken. A wide range of topics are covered and students carry out an Individual Research Project of their choice, pursuing their own interests. We follow the AQA A Level Specification.
  • All A level linguists have regular one to one oral lessons with one of our native speaker Language Assistants.
• IB:
  • Students can opt for Higher Level or Standard Level Spanish, German and French as well as  Standard Level Mandarin and Ab initio Spanish.
  • All IB students have regular one to one oral lessons with one of native speaker Language Assistants.

Co-Curricular

We encourage our Sixth Form students to participate in a number of academic competitions including Oxford and Cambridge essay competitions, The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators, German Olympiad and the UK Linguistics Olympiad.

The Fourth Form are invited to apply to become Language Leaders, run my Routes into Languages and in the Sixth Form they can become Language Ambassadors in charge of running many of our Language Department events throughout the year.

We organise regular webinars, talks with guest speakers, Immersion Days with other schools, Oxford and Cambridge interview preparation sessions, linguistics challenges, conversation clubs with native speakers and various other clubs including film and food nights.

In addition, we run various trips – our most recent ones include Beijing, Nice, Munich and Salamanca.

Where possible, we also try to make use of the Spanish and French Film Festivals which take place in Edinburgh and we keep an eye on theatre productions and exhibitions of interest.

Staff

• Sonia Gausinet Serrano (Head of Modern Languages, Head of Spanish)
• Zhang Li (Head of Mandarin)
• Stéfie Schwartz (Head of French)
• Krista Hopkinson (Head of German)
• Fernando Toledo (Spanish)
• Andrea Bernal (Spanish)
• Josephine Berganza (Spanish and French)
• Carolyn Harrison (French)
• Vera Perl (French and German)
• Caroline Davies (German)
• Li Jin (Mandarin)

Language Assistants 

Aurelia Giraud (French), Chang Zhao (Mandarin). We also recruit additional Language Assistants from the British Council for French, Spanish and German.

Subject Specific University Destinations

Our most recent linguists have gone on to study Languages (or Language related degrees) at Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.

"Our students have the opportunity to become Language Leaders and some go on to also become Language Ambassadors."

Sonia Gausinet Serrano Head of Modern Languages

Musicians at Fettes are placed enviably for a lively involvement in the musical life of Scotland’s capital city, as well as benefiting from a very active Music Department. 

Middle School Curriculum

• Third Form (13+ years) 
  • The Third Form Music curriculum is designed to enthuse and educate in equal measure. Students study a wide range of music, from symphonic music through to Queen, whilst gaining the all important theory and analysis skills that set them up, not only for GCSE Music and beyond, but for a lifetime of music appreciation.
• Fourth Form and Fifth Form (14-15+ years)

  • GCSE Music (Specification) is a broad course which should appeal to anyone with an interest in music. It is a course full of academic rigour but which, of course, encourages students to develop their creativity in a number of different ways. Students have the opportunity to perform, create, and study music in a wide variety of styles.

Sixth Form – A Level and IB Pathways

• A-LEVEL
  • Music A Level (Specification) follows the AQA Syllabus and it extends the skills of Performing, Composing and Appraising which became familiar at GCSE. Students are stretched to become high-level and polished performers, thoughtful and ingenious composers, and to analyse a wide range of complex music, stretching from the Baroque period through to Jazz and Film Music.
• IB
  • The IB Music course (Specification) is designed to appeal to the widest possible range of students regardless of prior musical experience and caters to all musical interests. It is examined entirely through portfolio work and students pick their own path through the various elements of the portfolio according to their own skills and what interests them.

Co-curricular

We have a very active co-curricular music programme which takes place in our Culachy Music School, Chapel, and beyond. Here are a few examples:

• Symphony Orchestra
• Award-winning Pipe Band
• String Orchestra
• Chapel Choir
• Jazz Ensemble
• Flute Group
• Chamber Group
• Coffee Concerts

Staff

• Angus Tully (Director of Music)
• Chris Foster (Head of Academic Music)
• Colin Dundas (Head of Instrumental Music)
• Simon Bertram (Chapel Organist)
• Alex Read (Music Administrator)

Subject specific university destinations

Recent destinations for Fettes’ musicians include: Royal Scottish Conservatoire (Glasgow) and Berklee College of Music (Boston, USA).

"Our orchestras, choirs and many smaller chamber ensembles all perform regularly throughout the year, some of which take place in various venues across Edinburgh and beyond." Angus TullyDirector of Music

All certificated Physical Education and Sport Science is delivered through a variety of classroom-based theory lessons and practical lessons utilising the school's first-rate facilities. The department has a strong link with the games department and students are encouraged to make the most of opportunities at the school, including taking part in sports-based activities and attending talks.

Middle School Curriculum

• Fourth and Fifth Form (14-15+ years)
  • GCSE Physical Education follows the AQA GCSE Course and allows students to better understand their own anatomy and physiology, the way that their body moves, how they should train appropriately depending on their desired outcome, how to better understand and utilise to sports psychology to improve sports performance and they learn skills and the way that socio-cultural factors influence sports participation.

Sixth Form Curriculum

• A Level Physical Education
  • The AQA A Level Course builds upon the GCSE course, although taking GCSE PE is not a prerequisite. Students develop their analytical and evaluative skills whilst studying applied anatomy and physiology, skill acquisition, the development of sport since the industrial revolution, biomechanics, sports psychology, development pathways and the use of technology in sport.
• IB Sport and Exercise Health Science
  • The IB Sport and Exercise Health Science course can be taken as the science strand of the IB Diploma. A new specification was introduced to this course in 2024 which now allows students to understand and analyse exercise physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, sports psychology and motor learning. There is a wide breadth to the course, which allows students to get a broad understanding of the topics.

Staff

• Michael Henderson-Sowerby (Head of Academic PE Department)
• Rory Bredin
• Rachael Campbell
• Becky Mill
• James Pillinger

Subject specific university destinations

Recent Fettesians have gone onto study Sport Science or Sports related degrees at Aberdeen, Bath, Edinburgh, Exeter, Newcastle, Northumbria and Oxford Brookes.

"Physical Education is a subject that students can apply not only to their performance but to many aspects of everyday life. It shows how the body and brain are influenced and how people function both physically and emotionally." Michael Henderson-Sowerby Head of Department

Our Physics department goes beyond preparing Fettesians for exams, aiming to spark enduring curiosity in the subject, whether they intend on studying Physics further or not. 

Middle School Curriculum

• Third, Fourth and Fifth Form (13-15+ years) 
• The Edexcel IGCSE is designed to be an interesting and inspiring modern syllabus, suitable both for those for whom it is a final science qualification and also for those who require a sound foundation for A Level and IB. The course allows for a great deal of experimental work and an introduction to Physics from the smallest to the largest of scales. 

Sixth Form - A Level and IB Pathways

• The OCR A Level and IB courses take all of the topics studied at IGCSE and allow students to study them in far greater depth, utilising the tools they have learned in Mathematics to explain the phenomena they uncover. They also have the opportunity to investigate some exciting topics not covered by the IGCSE, such as the weird and wonderful world of Quantum Physics.

Co-curricular

Our diverse STEM clubs offer chances to craft satellites, compete in robotics competitions, and marvel at the night sky through one of our telescopes.

Staff

• Neil Ward (Head of Physics Department)
• Robert Concannon
• Richard Davies
• Adele Ricks
• John Allen (Technician)

"Two Fettes physics teams, named “CanSat Chargers” and “Floor It” took part  in the CANSAT 2024 UK LAUNCH, during which they were able to launch their CanSats in small rockets. Both teams had successful landings and one team was able to receive data from their satellite. This is an incredible achievement for two first year teams. Well done to all.” 

Adele Ricks and Richard Davies Teachers of  Physics

Studying Politics at Fettes is more than just an academic subject - it's an insight into how the world actually operates, which goes beyond simplistic slogans and cheap cynicism to explore the complexity of government. 

Sixth Form - A Level and IB Pathways

• A level Politics offers a deep dive into how the United Kingdom is run, including the role of Parliament, how elections are won and lost, and whether devolution has been successful. We follow the packed Edexcel syllabus which also includes an introduction to political ideas and foreign policy. It is assessed by three two-hour exams. Read more about A level Politics.
• IB Global Politics is an entrée into International Relations, looking at global governance, state sovereignty, development and human rights. Part of the assessment is the Engagement Activity, a piece of coursework which students research themselves. Read more Read more about IB Global Politics.
• Further help is given to students with ambitions to study Politics, International Relations or PPE at university, including specialised university advice and supervision of research topics in the IB Extended Essay or for the A Level Extended Project Qualification.

Co-curricular

The department offers extensive co-curricular activities for students, including the Politics Society and the Debating Society. We arrange trips, hold mock polls in election years and host talks by university lecturers, diplomats, and politicians. 

Staff

• David McDowell (Head of Politics Department)
• Will Swift 
• Fraser Newham

Subject specific university destinations

In recent years, students have gone on to study Politics at Oxford, Durham, UCL, LSE and the University of South Australia, to name but a few.

"You have helped me fall in love with politics and be interested in what is happening in the world." 

Sixth Form Student2024 Leaver

Psychology is a good foundation for many degree courses.  It is particularly useful for social science, arts, mental health, clinical psychology, speech therapy and law. Available in Sixth Form, it is a highly academic discipline but one that is also part of our everyday life.  It aims to understand human behaviour and attempts to predict how people will react in a specific situation. 

Sixth Form - A level and IB Pathways

• IB Psychology Programme
  • Students taking IB follow the  IB psychology course which provides an opportunity to explore a range of topics in psychology. 
• A Level Psychology Programme
  • Students taking A Level follow the A Level Psychology course which also provides an opportunity to explore a range of topics in psychology.

Co-curricular 

The department provides an a engaging, thought-provoking and fun educational experience with some amazing co-curricular opportunities, which include: 

• Research projects 
• Participation in Mental Health Awareness week 
• Psychciety and Mental Health Ambassadors  – an afternoon club open to all our students in the Senior School. 
• Involvement in Psychology support clinics  
• Leading the Psychology journal article club  
• Annual trip to Vienna - home of Sigmund Freud and is the birthplace of psychoanalysis. 

Staff

• Kathy Saunders MEd, BSc(hons), BA (hons) (Head of Psychology)
• Eilidh Dickens MA (hons)

Subject specific university destinations

Many students from Fettes have gone on to read Psychology at top universities, including Kings College London, UCL and Bath, to name but a few.

"In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity." Eric Erikson, 1963