Co-Curricular
A well-rounded education
Learning is about more than the formal classroom curriculum. We build the curriculum around pupil choices so girls and boys at the Academy have wonderful opportunities to develop, not solely because of their teachers but also through their contributions.
Junior School
After School Activities
We offer a wide range of different co-curricular activities which are available for P3-6 children and are booked online using the School Cloud system. All activities are coordinated by Hannah Bell, Wraparound Care and Activities Manager. She can be contacted on afterschooljs@edinburghacademy.org.uk
The After School Club
After School Club is available for all children in P1–6 and runs from the end of the school day (or the end of a child's chosen co-curricular activity) until 6pm. It is situated on the first floor of the Nursery building and provides a comfortable and friendly environment. P1–2 children are collected directly from their classrooms and P3–6 children meet ASC staff at Reception where they are registered and accompanied to ASC. On arrival, children are able to enjoy a snack before playing.
Senior School
Activities & Clubs
Pupils will have the opportunity to sign up for and take part in a variety of activities and clubs such as Band, Chess, Choir, Drama, Gardening, Model United Nations and Photography. Pupil options and what is available will be explained in more detail after the start of session. See the following document for a sample list of activities:
EA Senior School Clubs, Groups & Help Sessions 2025-26 (updates in Aug 2026)
Charity Fundraising
A committee of pupils and staff choose the school charities each year. A variety of fundraising events is arranged. The seniors organise these events and thousands of pounds are raised each year.
Drama
There are regular school productions, including an annual play or musical for Seniors, and a Junior play. There is also an inter-Division competition in addition to curricular Drama and productions. The school also prepares and enters candidates for the LAMDA examination series, with a track record of phenomenal success. LAMDA is not only for the extrovert actors and actresses: performances can be done in Mime! The effect, though, can often be a significant boost in self-confidence and empathy. There is a separate charge for this option.
If you wish to enquire about LAMDA, please contact the Head of Drama.
Music
The Senior School has facilities for many kinds of music, and pupils are actively encouraged to learn an instrument and to sing in the Choir. Time is allowed for weekly Orchestra, Concert Band and Choir practices in the lunch break and activity periods, and all pupils learning an orchestral instrument beyond beginner level play in either the Junior or Senior Orchestra or Concert Band. The Choir consists of some 100 singers; it performs mainly large-scale Choral works and leads the singing in the Carol Service.
The Chamber Choir is a selected smaller group; rehearsals are held on Tuesday to Friday mornings from 8.15am–8.45am. The String Orchestra and the Big Band also rehearse each week; and Chamber Groups meet regularly during the mid-week Activity periods, before school, and during lunch breaks. There is a staff of resident and visiting teachers who cover every orchestral instrument, guitar, piano and the organ. The School has a selection of instruments which pupils may hire for a limited period, and we can make arrangements to buy or hire other instruments as needed.
If parents wish to make arrangements for tuition, they should notify the Director of Music stating whether the pupil is a beginner or wishes to continue lessons on an instrument that he/she already learns. Pupils entering the Senior School from the Junior School need make no application to continue the present arrangements, although in some cases there may be a change of teacher.
Should any problems arise over a pupil’s music lessons, parents are urged to contact the Director of Music immediately.
Music Lesson Charges
Current charges can be found on the Fees page.
Divisions
Pupils are allocated on joining the Edinburgh Academy to one of four Divisions for many competitions and events. These are Carmichael, Cockburn, Houses (Dundas in the Junior School), and Kinross. Families are normally allocated to the same Division.
Adventure and Character Education
Expeditions are organised and led by approved and qualified staff. Parents will be sent full information and asked to return a standard consent form giving their approval and any necessary medical information. Parents are invited to contact the organising teacher if they have any queries, and to withhold their consent if they see fit.
Residential Trips
There are the two residential camps that help us deliver outdoor education in the Junior Years. The Geits go to the Scottish Adventure School in Crieff in late September for 3 days where they work on team building skills while the 2nds go to Newlands Adventure Centre for 4 days also in September where they get a chance to develop mountain biking and kayaking skills as well as getting involved in lots of other exciting activities. This builds towards 3rds where the whole year group goes to the Outward Bound Centre at Loch Eil in Fort William for 5 days.
Moving from the personal development, skill acquisition and team building programmes into a week of more challenging adventure, pupils begin to look at how their mind-set can impact their decisions in life. We will engagepupils with the concept of transferability – how they can learn challenge in adventure and make it relevant to their lives back in school: learning how to become more self-reliant, understand other people’s perspectives and learn that they can always do more than they think!
Increasingly, these residential trips and the pupils’ experiences back in school form a core principle of our Character Education programme, which is centred on ideas of Positive Noticing of character traits and virtues, all of which helps pupils understand who they are.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme will be started at the end of 3rds. This becomes part of the rhythm of school life for many pupils as they learn about setting goals, planning for success and recording the achievement that goes along with this. Expeditions are delivered by the school’s team of volunteers, lead by Jen Isherwood, Head of Adventure and Character Education.
In addition, within the Geits-3rds activities programme, and the senior Games options, there is a wealth of opportunity for young people to nurture their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Games
See the Sport Section.
Pipe Band
At The Edinburgh Academy, we take great pride in offering our Pipe Band pupils exceptional opportunities to learn, perform and grow. Through regular rehearsals, public performances and competitions, our young musicians embody the Academy’s ACCIE values of Ambition, Collaboration, Compassion, Integrity and Engagement in everything they do.
Under the direction of Pipe Major Alastair Tripney pupils receive weekly individual tuition from our specialist Piping and Drumming Instructors, Mr Jonathon Simpson, Mr Iain Simpson, Mr Rab McCutcheon and Miss Rebecca Noble. As they progress, pupils may choose to work towards recognised Piping and Drumming Qualifications, certified by the SQA through the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board (PDQB). Drumming lessons are available across Snare, Tenor and Bass, allowing pupils to explore the full breadth of Pipe Band percussion.
In the Junior School, Chanter players and drummers are encouraged to take part in group performances and can perform on practice chanter or bagpipes at key events throughout the year, including the Christmas Concert and the P6 Burns Supper.
Pupils are encouraged to move through our structured band system, Pipe Band Club, B Band and A Band, attending weekly practices throughout the school term. The Band performs at a wide range of high‑profile engagements and competitions both locally and internationally, offering pupils outstanding opportunities to develop their musicianship, confidence and teamwork.
For information about joining the Pipe Band, or to discuss lessons, please contact the Director of Music or a member of the Pipe Band staff.
Monday
08.00 – 08.40 A Band
13.00 – 13.40 B Band
Tuesday
15.35 – 16.30 Pipe Band Club
Wednesday
13.00 – 13.40 A Band
Thursday
13.00 – 13.40 Drop-in Session
Friday
13.15 – 13.40 Big Blow (Open to all to come along and have a tune to end the week)
Trips and Expeditions
From time to time organised parties travel abroad or to places of interest in this country.
The last few years have seen trips to Austria, Switzerland, France, Poland, China and the USA; World Challenge expeditions to India, Borneo, Costa Rica and Nepal; scuba diving in the Red Sea, Trinidad and Tobago; Battlefields in France and Belgium and a visit to Canada by the Pipe Band. Pupils also regularly visit Europe and China for language experience.
There have been regular mountaineering trips to the Highlands.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions take place in various parts of Scotland and England. The Chamber Choir has visited York, Carlisle and Germany; other music groups have been to the USA and Italy. Sports tours have included New Zealand, Australia, Western Samoa, South America, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada.
