spare

Nunnykirk has provided specialist education for boys and girls with specific learning difficulties, in particular dyslexia and associated difficulties such as dyspraxia or speech and language problems, for more than 30 years. The school provides a friendly and supportive environment for children where high standards, hard work and sensible behaviour are expected. The staff aim to find the best in every pupil, and build up their confidence, encourage social awareness. They also help develop interests in sports and hobbies and prepare pupils for further education, vocational training opportunities or the workplace.

Nunnykirk recognises that coming to a new school can be an anxious time, especially for children with dyslexia who may have experienced problems at other schools. So the school is offering prospective pupils an opportunity to spend a day there.

Head teacher Carol Hodgson explains: "While we have always had annual open days at Nunnykirk where parents and pupils can spend a couple of hours viewing the school, we felt that a taster day would provide a more individual approach. By sitting in lessons and following a typical school day prospective students can see whether Nunnykirk is the school for them and we can help parents decide whether the environment and support we provide best suits their son or daughter." The school will hold its usual open day on 25 May, but if anyone would like to discuss a taster day they can contact the head teacher on 01670-772 685.

For all-round education for girls from the earliest years upwards, St George's School for Girls in Edinburgh takes some beating. St George's is one of Scotland's best-known and most academically successful independent schools which takes pre-school children into its nursery from the age of 18 months. The junior school takes girls up to Primary 5 and then offers a unique transition of three years - P6, P7 and S1 - in "Lower School", which has it own campus. With typically 14 to 18 pupils per class, each girl receives individual attention when necessary while still being part of a dynamic learning environment.

Specialist staff are fully involved in junior school life. For example, there is PE three times per week and weekly music lessons with specialist music teachers from nursery age upwards, and these lay the foundations for musical productions, dance, drama and song events and celebration assemblies that are shared with parents.

French and Chinese language teaching also figure in the junior school curriculum. Last term's P5 French Morning featured art - with a specialist art teacher - and French cooking all taught through the medium of French. Through the Scottish China Education Network, juniors have also been able to share with other schools in learning about Chinese culture.

Head teacher Anne Everest says: "The benefits of being part of a much larger, all-through school are that individual specialist ‘secondary' teachers can share their talents even with very young children. Throughout the school, we are very much catering for the individual's needs so that we can help each girl develop an independent spirit that will help her to realise her potential in the world beyond school."

Staying in the capital, Edinburgh Academy Junior School has seen many changes over the past seven years. Welcoming girls in 2008, the initial years of co-education at the Academy have been a resounding success, with 30 per cent of the school roll now female. The academy has invested in facilities, such as the new 2.5 million purpose-built nursery. It is specifically designed to offer flexible arrangements, tailored to suit the needs of nursery-age children.

Ben Dean, acting head of the Junior School, says: "We have also focused on our school environment with areas being developed to offer greater learning through play. A Forest School classroom, Junior School Allotment and our Community Nature Garden all offer stimulating areas for children to play, explore and learn. Due to our Junior School being on a separate campus we are fortunate to have expert staff enabling science, music, art and PE and games to be taught by specialist teachers. This has enabled us to extend the children's learning experiences."

Edinburgh Academy thinks small in one way - average class sizes will continue to remain low in 2011, with an average of 20 pupils per class in the junior school. The Junior School has this year seen record numbers of applications with a waiting list now in place for Nursery, Primary 4 and Primary 5. The demand for specialist education and for education aimed at the youngest of children is growing. The independent sector has realised this and has clearly responded well.