Lower School Education at St George’s School

• Lower School girls benefit from a dedicated area of the campus with learning and play spaces designed specifically for them.
• They form close relationships with pastoral and teaching staff who know them well while also gaining access to staff and facilities across the entire school.
• The combination of a nurturing environment with aspirational experiences and inspiring mentors is key to their growth.

The teachers are incredibly welcoming. They never make you feel silly for asking questions which creates such a positive atmosphere.  As deputy head student, I’ve had the chance to help organise events like the Lower School Halloween party and be involved in the international fair. These experiences helped me to get to know other girls and learn about their lives at home and their cultures. The international fair was such a fun event. It makes our friendships even stronger. Lower School Pupil*

An all-girls school is such a fun and inspiring experience. We’re always encouraged to step up and take on leadership roles and try out things like sports or STEM that people sometimes think are just for boys. Our sports programme is all about sticking with it and working as a team, and in class, everyone gets to share their ideas. At co-ed schools, it can feel like there’s pressure to quit sports or avoid doing some activities, but here it’s totally different. There’s no pressure to fit in —we all get to just be ourselves. Lower School Pupil*

• Our curriculum is tailored to each student's needs with smaller class sizes and dedicated Lower School pastoral support ensuring each girl is known and thrives.
• The school is ambitious for each student, focusing on their individual strengths and needs.
• The staff and community create an environment characterised by strong relationships, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to personal growth where every student can shine.

It’s so exciting to learn about different traditions and cultures from around the world. It really helps us understand each other better and see things in new ways. We’re lucky to have friends who share their traditions with us, like celebrating Lunar New Year, Diwali, and Burns Night. These celebrations are such a fun way to learn about each other’s customs and cultures. One of my favourite experiences was helping to organise the International Languages Fair. We did activities like matching snacks to their countries, which was a great way to explore different cultures. Events like this bring us closer together and teach us to respect and appreciate each other’s differences. Lower School Pupil*

The buddy system was a lifesaver. It helped me meet new people, find my way around, and feel comfortable when I was new. I was nervous at first, but the school’s buddy system made a huge difference. For the first few weeks I was paired with a different buddy each day. They showed me around the school, helped me with my daily timetable, and introduced me to new friends. Lower School Pupil*

• Starting from P7, the girls begin a full secondary curriculum alongside specialist subject teaching making the curriculum highly progressive.
• This is possible because of our individualised approach, understanding of each student's personality, and differentiated teaching methods which help them to excel.
• This approach helps build strong academic foundations and develops close relationships with teachers. Rather than pushing every student at the same pace.
• St George's focuses on what each individual girl needs to develop. This personal approach helps identify and meet each student's needs setting them up for success.

One great experience has been participating in the IPQ (Independent Project Qualification). We learned how to create surveys and evaluate sources—skills that have been incredibly useful, For instance, I recently used these skills for a history project, using surveys to gather opinions and finding good online resources to support my arguments, which made my work much stronger and better. Lower School Student*

One of the best things about school is the huge variety of sports and activities we can try. There’s everything from netball and lacrosse to stuff like playing in the brass ensemble and going on fun trips. My week is always packed with great things to do. On Mondays, I play netball and love competing in the Scottish Cup. Tuesdays are for lacrosse, then on Wednesdays, I do cross country in the Lothian League. Thursdays and Fridays are all about hockey, with practices at school and club matches on weekends. The school makes sure we can keep doing sports all the way through our time here which is great.

Sports here aren’t just about winning games. They teach us so many other things, like how to keep going when things get tough, how to work together, and how to be a leader. Plus, being on a team helps us feel like we really belong and have each other’s backs. I’ve learned so much about keeping going and supporting my friends.

And it’s not just about sports! I play the trombone in the brass ensemble, which is cool. Then there are the school trips—every year we get to go on amazing adventures. One trip I’ll never forget was to Lagganlia, where we tried abseiling, canoeing, and mountain biking. It was so much fun and really pushed me to try new things. Lower School Student*

The flexibility in learning opportunities at St George's is made possible by our size setting us apart from other schools.

• We offer a broad range of choices in the curriculum and co-curricular activities. In Lower School, there is a strong emphasis on trying new clubs, activities, and subjects, with opportunities to experience each of the three sciences and three or four languages.
• Catch-up classes are available for students joining us from other schools who may feel that their proficiency in any particular subject requires support.
• The girls can choose between the 40 Lower School co-curricular activities and over 150 co-curricular activities on offer across the whole school. Although they can't do them all, they have the freedom to participate in as many as they wish. For example, they can be involved in a drama production, play in the orchestra, serve as a House captain, and play both Hockey and Netball.
• Our strong relationships with the girls, built through regular mentorship sessions and personalised support, enable us to encourage and steer them toward opportunities that help them grow in skills and confidence.
• All girls who attend Lower School clubs can compete regularly (Saturday mornings and after school) in hockey, tennis, athletics, cricket, lacrosse, netball, badminton and cross-country running.

At St George’s there are no limits. Everyone is free to be who they want to be. -What makes St George’s so special is that it’s just girls so we can explore what we’re into without feeling as though we need to do what other people ae doing. It’s a place where I’ve been able to try so many exciting things like sports and leadership, and every opportunity is there to help us grow and feel more confident. Nobody expects you to be a certain way—you’re just encouraged to go for what you love and be yourself. Lower School Pupil*

I recently took part in Beauty and the Beast as a dancing napkin. Working with older students during my first musical was such an exciting experience! I learned so much about teamwork and what goes into putting a play on. Those skills have been super useful even outside the musical, like when I’m doing group projects or speaking up in class. One of the best moments was seeing my family in the audience cheering me on—it’s a memory I’ll always remember. Lower School Pupil*

I’ve tried everything from hockey to judo to cross-country running. The huge number of clubs means there’s something for everyone. Even if the times sometimes clash, there’s always a way to stay involved, I’ve found. Hockey, in particular, has become a new favourite. The matches against other schools are both competitive and fun—plus, who doesn’t love the bacon rolls after a home game? Lower School Pupil*

St George’s offers extensive pastoral support to help students navigate times of change, including shifting friendships, the onset of adolescence, and the various developmental stages that girls experience. This support covers five key areas:

• Individual relationships: Our size allows staff to get to know each student personally, developing positive relationships where students feel comfortable seeking help. The pastoral team includes form tutors who see the girls daily, as well as dedicated welfare and admin staff, creating numerous friendly faces to support the girls. This open-door policy means that no issue is too big or too small.
• Strong relationships with families: The school also maintains strong relationships with families, reaching out proactively if concerns arise and encouraging open communication. This collaborative approach helps to resolve concerns while they are still small and manageable.
• Flexible pastoral messaging: Pastoral messages are delivered in a variety of ways, including one-on-one and small group sessions, assemblies, and Personal and Social Education (PSE) classes that cover topics like mental health, leadership, and cultural diversity.
• We partner with and actively promote 'Tooled Up' an evidence-based online research wellbeing resource to parents to help them feel confident about discussing sensitive subjects at home. This supports our PSE programme.
• Workshops and conferences: The school organises workshops and conference days to ensure that its messaging is current and effective. Recent examples include a “connected culture” workshop around Internet Safety Day and a parent talk by a child protection expert to help families address the challenges that the digital world brings.
• Sixth Form mentoring: The involvement of Sixth Form students is an essential part of the pastoral approach, whether through the Big Sister club, leading assemblies, or simply being a supportive presence for younger students. Their experiences help guide the younger girls through these formative years.

Anti-Bullying Week was really helpful for us to understand more about bullying and how to make our school a better place. We talked about things like cyberbullying and physical bullying, worked in groups to discuss these issues, and even acted out pretend situations to see what it felt like from different sides. We also watched videos that taught us how to spot and deal with bullying. One of my favourite parts was about racism. We learned how to ask questions in a kind way when we have different opinions. These lessons make me feel more confident about standing up for what’s right and being kind to others. The school encourages us to be curious and ask questions in a kind way, which I think is such an important skill for life. Lower School Pupil*

Knowing there’s always someone to talk to—whether it’s a teacher or an older student—is great. When we went to the school’s residential camp at Lagganlia in the Scottish Highlands, I was really nervous at first. But having support from our teachers and the 'Listening Ears' team made me feel a lot better. Listening Ears is a really good idea where older girls and staff are there to help us and give advice in a safe and friendly space. I remember talking to an Upper Six student who told me all about her camp adventures. Hearing her stories made me feel so much more excited and ready for the trip. By the time I got there, I felt more confident and had such an amazing time. Lower School Pupil*

Student Voice: amplifying the voice of every girl remains part of the school's DNA today as a loyal school community with a unique spirit of pride.

St George’s believes strongly in 'if you can see it, you can be it.' All leadership positions in the student community are held by girls. In Lower School, they speak on the Student Council, serve as House Captains, lead charitable initiatives, and manage enterprise projects—all while being mentored by older students to develop these skills.

There is substantial evidence suggesting that girls in a girls-only setting become more assertive and willing to articulate their views. The experience of meeting St George’s alumnae reinforces this: they are sharp, perceptive, and exceptionally capable women, often leading and innovating in their chosen fields.

• At St George’s, girls are always put FIRST in every plan and action—never second, as may sadly happen elsewhere. Strength of character and conviction are vital qualities for girls to develop and St George's works to cultivate these.
• Attending St George’s means being valued as an individual and genuinely well-known. The school is a community, not an institution, and that’s why the outcomes for students are exceptional by the time they leave at 18.

Click on the stories below to read accounts of recent academic achievements.

Personal development in Lower School is supported through a variety of activities and opportunities that allow students to grow in confidence and explore their potential.

• Enrichment activities, such as a week exploring the Cairngorm National Park as an example of our outdoor education residential camp, to visits to Dynamic Earth and Arthur's Seat, are designed to develop new skills and spark curiosity.
• Girls are also encouraged to get involved in leadership opportunities, such as organising themed events like Children in Need and Halloween wellbeing activities, allowing them to express their ideas and practice leadership skills.
• Role models play a significant role in supporting personal development; the girls interact with inspiring figures during activities like Judy Murray Tennis sessions, author visits from Elle McNicoll, our Patron of Reading, or listening to influential speakers like Preet Chandi as she crossed the Arctic. The emphasis is on trying as much as possible, giving girls the chance to discover their true interests and passions in a supportive environment.
• Girls act as role models for pupils in Junior School and get involved in community service and volunteering. They also learn about social responsibility and through outdoor education develop resilience, problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Click on the stories below to read student accounts of PSE sessions including, for example, 'understanding the realities of online information' and 'Careers, communication and leadership with a Dragons’ Den-style event' to test decision-making, culminating in collaborative and creative presentations.