Craigflower Preparatory School combined academic excellence with a rich sporting culture. The school fielded competitive rugby and cricket teams, and students participated in a full range of activities that shaped their character and friendships.
Sports and Games
The school had a strong sporting tradition. Cricket and rugby were central to school life, with first XI and first XV teams competing against other schools. Athletic events, including track and field competitions, were also important.
The tone of school life—both in the classroom and on the field—was characteristic of a mid-20th-century preparatory school: rigorous, character-building, and formative.
Classroom and Studies
The academic curriculum followed traditional preparatory school lines, with emphasis on classics, mathematics, English, and sciences. Students were prepared for entrance to public schools such as Glenalmond, Merchiston, Edinburgh Academy, and other leading Scottish schools.
The school library contained awards and plaques marking achievement—the Webster plaque and Stewart shield were eventually transferred to Cargilfield School when Craigflower closed.
Community and Fellowship
Boarding and day students created a tight-knit community. The school fostered lasting friendships and a sense of shared purpose. Many alumni maintained contact throughout their lives, gathering for reunions and maintaining the bonds formed during their school years.
Historic Photographs
Our archive contains extensive photographs documenting school life from the 1960s through the 1970s. Team photographs, classroom moments, and candid snapshots capture the spirit of the era.
Voices from Craigflower
Personal recollections give us insight into what it was like to be a student at Craigflower. The Memories page contains detailed accounts from former students and teachers, capturing the character of the school and the experience of education in this distinctive place.