Back to School – a warm welcome to the start of the new school year

Schools and early years settings across Edinburgh have welcomed back children and young people, parents and carers, teachers and school staff after the summer holidays.

Over 53,000 secondary and primary school learners will head back to the classroom this week, along with dedicated teaching and school staff. This includes 25,057 secondary school pupils in S1 to S6 and 28,307 primary school learners in P1 to P7.

Around 3,500 new Primary 1 pupils are starting their school journey including 55 sets of twins.

Over 4,400 young people will start secondary school and transition into S1 at one of our secondary schools.

The brand-new Currie Community High School building will welcome 920 learners through its doors for the very first time.

As a brand-new school year gets underway, Education, Children and Families Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish, said:

There’s always a buzz in the air this time of year as a new school year and new term begins. For some of our children and young people, the new school year will mark the start of an exciting milestone as they start in P1, S1 or in one of our early years settings. I am confident that our fantastic teaching and school staff will do all they can to support children and their families to settle in as quickly as possible.

I hope that families, children and school staff alike return well rested after a relaxing and enjoyable summer break. I wish everyone a brilliant start to the new school year and a successful year ahead!

Published: August 13th 2025