Founded in 1824 (Sir Walter Scott was one of the founding spirits). The senior school buildings include the handsome original hall, and the playing fields are a short walk from the school. The Academy is well known as a civilised establishment which provides an extremely thorough, broad education. Originally a boys's school, it is in the process of becoming co-educational: girls have been admitted to the sixth form for a number of years and are now admitted also to the junior school from 2007 and the senior school from 2008. It is non-denominational within the Christian tradition; there are monthly school services and boarders attend the local church. The Academy has a tradition of academic excellence - it achieves high standards of scholarship and very good examination results while providing for the whole person. The creative subjects - drama, art and music - are particularly strong, with performances and exhibitions being held regularly for the general public in the city. High standards are also attained in sport and games of which there is a wide range including fives, fencing and curling. There is a wide variety of extra-curricular activities and considerable emphasis on outdoor pursuits (it has its own field centre in the Highlands). The CCF contingent is strong and the Pipe Band were recent Scottish champions. It has a good record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Much use is made of Edinburgh's cultural amenities and there is an interesting programme of visiting lecturers.

Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 840 pupils (805 boys, 35 girls), 825 day, 15 boarding. Upper school 10-18, 477 pupils (454 boys, 23 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 10 and 12 and 16. Own entrance exam. No special religious requirements; overseas pupils should immedia Tely be able to receive all teaching in English. Small state school entry at 11 and 12; 20% new intake to sixth form.

6 pa scholarships, value 50% day fees (25%-75% boarding fees if needed): academic, art, music (including 2 sixth form, 1 for state primary entrant, others at entry at 10 or 12). 2 bursaries to allow children of academicals to board; others to help existing pupils through unforeseen changes of financial circumstances. Parents billed for textbooks; maximum extras usually 150 per term.

15+% are doctors, lawyers; some in media or creative arts; 15+% in industry or commerce. 60+% live within 30 miles; up to 10% live overseas.

Rector: Marco Longmore, in post from 2007. Previously Senior Deputy Head at Alleyn's, Head of History and Modern Languages at George Watson's and Head of Year at George Heriot's. Teaching staff: 62 full time, 7 part time plus 11 part time music staff. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 43.

GCSE: 66 pupils in upper fifth: 93% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. Highers and A-level: 56 in Higher, and 79 in A-level year. 22% left with 30+ points, 21% with 24-29; 25% with 18-23; 18% with 12-17; 13% with 6-11 points.

88% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (21% after a gap year or foundation course), 4% to Oxbridge. 2% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 30% in science and engineering, 8% in law, 50% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design. Others typically go on to FE, work experience or foreign pupils return home.

GCSE, Highers, A-levels. 20 subjects offered (including classical civilisation and business studies; no A-level general studies). 34% take science subjects, 39% arts/humanities and 27% both. Vocational: Work experience available; also SQA modules in computing. Special provision: Learning support services for pupils with specific learning difficulties who are otherwise able to cope with the curriculum. Languages: French, German and Spanish offered at GCSE, Higher and A-level; French or German compulsory from age 11 to GCSE. Regular exchanges (some for up to 1 year) and visits to France and Germany. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg graphics skills, spreadsheets. 50 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access.

Music: 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Musical groups including orchestras, choirs, dance, concert, wind bands, chamber music groups, pipe band. Member of National Youth Orchestra of Scotland; member of Edinburgh Youth Orchestra. Drama: Drama offered in the curriculum. Major programme of school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 20 Higher, 15 A-level. Design, pottery also offered.

Sport: Rugby compulsory for 4 years, cricket for 2. Optional: football, cross-country, squash, swimming, fives, hockey, athletics, shooting, curling, sailing, tennis, skiing, judo, golf, fencing, badminton. Recent Scottish Schools or national age group honours in athletics, cricket, squash, fencing, rugby, hockey, skiing and basketball. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF compulsory for 1.5 years at age 14. Community service optional in sixth form. Regular whole-school fund-raising. Up to 15 clubs, eg science, literary, art, politics, Scripture Union, Scottish country dance, chess.

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses (Divisions). Prefects (Ephors), head boy and girl, head of house and house prefects - Ephors appointed by Rector after nomination by pupils and staff. Religion: Non-denominational morning prayers for whole school; school services once a month; compulsory local church attendance or monthly services for boarders; weekly RE teaching period for all. Social: Regular joint drama productions, debates, Burns Suppers, reel club with St George's Girls School. Organised trips and exchange systems

Graded punishments. Parents of pupils failing to produce homework more than once might expect detention; pupils caught smoking cannabis on the premises may expect automatic expulsion.

is run by Mr R S Cowie, Secretary, Edinburgh Academical Club, c/o the Academy.

Magnus Magnusson; Gordon Honeycombe; Paul Jones; Lord Cameron of Lochbroom; Giles Gordon; David Caute; Admiral Sir Jock Slater; Sir Iain Vallance; Iain Glen; Nicky Campbell.