The list of notable alumni from this school is rather impressive; Donald Dewar, J.M. Barrie, and…read moreperhaps most excitingly DARIUS!!!, this privately-run school in the west end was first established in the 1800's and boasts a huge array of facilities and features. Being a private school the uniform policy is pretty strict, but with rumors of the boys trousers soon changing to the purple tartan pattern this may soon change from a cause of nuisance, to one of sheer hilarity on epic proportions. Honestly, tartan trousers? Genius. With the recently added brand spanking new primary school building now perched precariously over the Kelvin and protruding it's sparkling glass faced walls onto Belmont Street, this contrasts interestingly with it's rather older and more traditional buildings to the rear and make the school fees well worth the money, even if your child has to endure various missiles and projectiles launched from neighbouring schools at his rather dubious tartan trousers.

Apart from being socially controversial, private schools have had a rather difficult time in the…read morepast ten years. The abolition of assisted places undermined the class mixture that rescued many of them from being too exclusive and the ability to pay became more critical than academic talent, at least as far as admission procedures went. Despite this, the Academy still has a reputation for strong intellectual achievement, and the pupils, seen in the West End most days in their uniforms, are smart and well mannered. It is a school for those with bright academic hopes, and the new buildings, mirrored in the development of rival schools, do not hide a school for the rich and dim. Tough selection procedures ensure that they continue to provide a generation of lawyers and doctors, although it is always worth noting that this sort of education is not really ideal for everyone.

I have sent my four daughters to Fernhill School. Two of them have now went on to university, one…read moreis doing Dentistry and the other Engineering. I have two other daughters at the school. The school has a smaller role than many similar schools. I think this helps to encourage the family atmosphere at the school. The older pupils at the school have younger brothers and sisters in primary. All the children seem know each other and mix easily. It is often referred to as the Fernhill Family. The children seem very happy particularly in the primary department and I would be very reluctant to take my children away from the school for this reason only. They have excellent academic results and were one of the top schools in Scotland in 2010. They have both boys and girls in the primary department. It is girls only in the secondary department. I was quite happy with this as I had read that girls will do better in exam results in an all girl environment.