Episode 12 - this week my guest is Neil Tomlin OBE, the newly appointed head of Belhaven Hill School in East Lothian. It's a small co-educational boarding and day school for children aged 4 to 13. With just over 170 pupils, a heated outdoor pool and grass tennis courts, it could easily be mistaken for a country hotel next to the sea and a golf course.

I chat with Neil and learn about his career before he started at Belhaven this year and how he earned his OBE.

Neil discusses how important it is for the school to be small, where older and younger pupils know one another, and their lives are integrated. It has a high percentage of boarders in the older age groups, which Neil stresses is unique in Scotland and the north of England. It doesn't offer flexi-boarding, so the school stays full on weekends, rather than being left with only a few pupils when others have gone home.

We discuss the school ethos and how it equips pupils for the future. He sees it as his role to help parents find the right school when they leave Belhaven.

We discuss screen use, how children are supported and stretched, the breadth of extracurricular opportunities, and much more on offer at Belhaven.

The school is hosting a virtual Open Evening (Zoom) on 24 November 2026 at 7:15 pm. They also have a Spring Open Morning: 27 February 2027 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm featuring campus tours and staff talks.

You can arrange personal weekday or weekend tours and taster days by appointment with the school's registrar, Olivia Reynolds. admissions@belhavenhill.com

More details of Belhaven Hill School can be found at: https://www.belhavenhill.com/

To get in touch with the podcast: schoolguidepod@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @nurseryandschools_edinburgh

Log in to read a free digital edition of the Nursery and School Guide Magazine here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk/digitalmag

And read our blog here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk

Episode 11 — In conversation with Mark Becher, Head at The Compass School, Haddington.

I've known Mark for over 20 years through my work publishing the Nursery and School Guide Magazine, and he is exactly what you'd hope for in an independent school head: warm, approachable, and deeply committed to the children. Mark has led The Compass School for nearly 30 years, and that wealth of experience shines through in everything we discuss.

You'll hear just how passionate he is about the school, a place he describes as a family. With a maximum of around 150 pupils, Mark shares the real benefits of a small school: the opportunities every child gets to take part, the close bond they form with the school and with one another, and the sense that no one gets lost in the crowd.

We also talk about his journey through a range of teaching roles into leadership, and the school's award-winning intergenerational programme, exploring how it's woven into the whole community.

What comes through most is how enriched school life is at The Compass School, and how genuinely welcoming Mark is, a warmth the whole school embodies. Past pupils also frequently come back to visit.

Their September open day has now passed, but Mark is clear: parents are welcome to visit at any time. In fact, a private tour often shows you as much, if not more, than a formal open day event.

More details of The Compass School Haddington can be found at: https://www.thecompassschool.co.uk/

To get in touch with the podcast: schoolguidepod@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @nurseryandschools_edinburgh

Log in to read a free digital edition of the Nursery and School Guide Magazine here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk/digitalmag

And read our blog here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk

Episode 10 – I chat with Huw Jones, head of Merchiston. He's been Head for just over a year now, and I think you will agree that Huw comes across as an extremely competent and persuasive leader. In recent years, Merchiston has undergone a significant transformation, including establishing a new co-ed nursery and Junior School called The Forest. We talk about Huw's journey to becoming Head, what he's learnt about the school, and the direction it's going in.

He talks about how the school models three key pillars: care, challenge and contribution, where staff live it, model it and teach it. He also discusses fostering resilience and how to develop it in young people, as well as the importance of building relationships and mutual respect.

He has great insights into tech and the use of devices in school, academics, and developing tools around devices.

We talk about the school having a rugby reputation and tennis and golf academies – Huw stresses the breadth of all sports and the strength of other extracurricular activities.

We talk about academics, boarding, and, of course, the upcoming Open Day on Saturday 31st October across the Nursery, Junior and Senior School.

Huw has been nominated as Tatler's Best Public School Head, and I think you will agree from this conversation that Huw is an inspiring leader. Based purely on this conversation (and having not spoken to any of the other candidates), he's definitely got my vote!

You can find out more and register for the school Open Day at: https://www.merchiston.co.uk

To get in touch with the podcast: schoolguidepod@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram: @nurseryandschools_edinburgh

Log in to read a free digital edition of the Nursery and School Guide Magazine here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk/digitalmag

And read our blog here: https://www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk