Cargilfield Talks

In this episode of Cargilfield Talks, we welcome former pupil Mark Agnew FRGS —an extraordinary explorer and record-breaking adventurer. Mark has earned titles such as European Adventurer of the Year, Endurance Asia’s Extraordinary Feat of the Year recipient, and ranked Top Explorer by World Explorer Collective.

Mark rose to fame after he and his teammates became the first to kayak the Northwest Passage. Today, he travels the world as a sought-after keynote speaker, specialising in resilience.

In conversation with Headmaster Rob Taylor, Mark reflects on his school days, sharing memories of outdoor adventure, rugby, and boarding life at Cargilfield. They explore his ambitious expedition through the Northwest Passage — a journey fuelled by a personal goal of immersing himself in nature and building camaraderie, all while facing life-threatening wildlife encounters and treacherous ice conditions.

If you're a former Cargilfield pupil and would like to meet Mark Agnew, join us for our drinks reception 'Reflections on a Scottish Childhood' at The Caledonian on 9th April. To RSVP or learn more, please contact us at [email protected].

Cargilfield is the only stand-alone independent prep school in Edinburgh, providing a nurturing and stimulating education for children aged 3 to 13. We are proud of a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13 but teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers from 8+. As a family school, we accept a wide range of abilities and personalities, but we believe that our small classes purposely kept at 18, high expectations and enthusiastic teaching allow our children to flourish. The Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023 rated our attainment levels as outstanding and sector-leading across the country.  

Considering your child's future education? Discover more about us at www.cargilfield.com.

In this episode, Cargilfield's Head of Nursery, Tiffany Murdoch, explores the importance of introducing fun and engaging activities to foster creativity in young children – an essential skill that will make a significant difference to a child's ability to thrive in the future by enabling them to challenge, question, and explore the world around them. In the Nursery, we prioritise equipping boys and girls with the best possible toolkit, knowing that this will help them become healthier, happier, and well-rounded individuals.

Tune in to discover why creativity is a fundamental life skill for nursery-aged children.

To learn more about Cargilfield, a leading independent prep school in Edinburgh, subscribe to our podcast 'Cargilfield Talks' on Spotify or follow us on Instagram.

Cargilfield is the only stand-alone independent prep school in Edinburgh, providing a nurturing and stimulating education for children aged 3 to 13. We are proud of a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13 but teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers from 8+. As a family school, we accept a wide range of abilities and personalities, but we believe that our small classes purposely kept at 18, high expectations and enthusiastic teaching allow our children to flourish. The Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023 rated our attainment levels as outstanding and sector-leading across the country.  

Considering your child's future education? Discover more about us at www.cargilfield.com.

In our first episode of Season 4, we discuss the benefits of outdoor adventure in a school setting - from enhancing physical health and emotional well-being to fostering critical life skills like problem-solving, adaptability, and resilience.

Whether you're an educator looking to incorporate more outdoor activities in your curriculum, a parent curious about the benefits of nature-based learning, or simply someone interested in how environmental exposure can cultivate resilience, this episode is a must-listen. 

Tune in to discover how the great outdoors can serve as an invaluable classroom, especially for the growth and development of children ages 3 to 13.

Available now on Buzzsprout and Spotify. To learn more about Cargilfield, a leading independent boarding and day prep school in Edinburgh, please subscribe to our podcast.

Cargilfield is the only stand-alone independent prep school in Edinburgh, providing a nurturing and stimulating education for children aged 3 to 13. We are proud of a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13 but teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers from 8+. As a family school, we accept a wide range of abilities and personalities, but we believe that our small classes purposely kept at 18, high expectations and enthusiastic teaching allow our children to flourish. The Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023 rated our attainment levels as outstanding and sector-leading across the country.  

Considering your child's future education? Discover more about us at www.cargilfield.com.

In this fourth podcast, the Cargilfield team look at how teachers and early years professionals track the progress of their children.

A link to the developmental Milestone grid discussed in this episode.
https://www.cargilfield.com/cms/resources/developmental-milestone-matrix.pdf

Cargilfield is the only stand-alone independent prep school in Edinburgh, providing a nurturing and stimulating education for children aged 3 to 13. We are proud of a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13 but teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers from 8+. As a family school, we accept a wide range of abilities and personalities, but we believe that our small classes purposely kept at 18, high expectations and enthusiastic teaching allow our children to flourish. The Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023 rated our attainment levels as outstanding and sector-leading across the country.  

Considering your child's future education? Discover more about us at www.cargilfield.com.

In this third podcast, the Cargilfield team explore how teachers and early years professionals help children to manage their early experiences with numbers at nursery.

Cargilfield is the only stand-alone independent prep school in Edinburgh, providing a nurturing and stimulating education for children aged 3 to 13. We are proud of a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13 but teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers from 8+. As a family school, we accept a wide range of abilities and personalities, but we believe that our small classes purposely kept at 18, high expectations and enthusiastic teaching allow our children to flourish. The Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023 rated our attainment levels as outstanding and sector-leading across the country.  

Considering your child's future education? Discover more about us at www.cargilfield.com.

In this second podcast, the Cargilfield team explore how teachers and early years professionals manage the early steps of reading and writing within a nursery setting.

Cargilfield is the only stand-alone independent prep school in Edinburgh, providing a nurturing and stimulating education for children aged 3 to 13. We are proud of a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13 but teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers from 8+. As a family school, we accept a wide range of abilities and personalities, but we believe that our small classes purposely kept at 18, high expectations and enthusiastic teaching allow our children to flourish. The Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023 rated our attainment levels as outstanding and sector-leading across the country.  

Considering your child's future education? Discover more about us at www.cargilfield.com.

In this first podcast, the Cargilfield team explore how nurseries manage communication with parents, using care plans and learning journals to create a structure for sharing information.

Cargilfield is the only stand-alone independent prep school in Edinburgh, providing a nurturing and stimulating education for children aged 3 to 13. We are proud of a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13 but teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers from 8+. As a family school, we accept a wide range of abilities and personalities, but we believe that our small classes purposely kept at 18, high expectations and enthusiastic teaching allow our children to flourish. The Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023 rated our attainment levels as outstanding and sector-leading across the country.  

Considering your child's future education? Discover more about us at www.cargilfield.com.

Rob Taylor interviews Paul Brooks, an experienced counsellor for children and young adults as part of session training Cargilfield staff.

Cargilfield is the only stand-alone independent prep school in Edinburgh, providing a nurturing and stimulating education for children aged 3 to 13. We are proud of a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13 but teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers from 8+. As a family school, we accept a wide range of abilities and personalities, but we believe that our small classes purposely kept at 18, high expectations and enthusiastic teaching allow our children to flourish. The Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023 rated our attainment levels as outstanding and sector-leading across the country.  

Considering your child's future education? Discover more about us at www.cargilfield.com.

In the third of our Cargilfield Talks podcasts, our Headmaster, Rob Taylor, discusses issues surrounding learning to read and how to encourage your children to develop a love of reading with various teachers at Cargilfield. Anne Fidelo and Vin Parker are both experienced primary teachers across a variety of schools. Anjali Dholakia and David Walker both teach English to our nine and ten year olds as well as sitting on the school's management team.

Cargilfield is the only stand-alone independent prep school in Edinburgh, providing a nurturing and stimulating education for children aged 3 to 13. We are proud of a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13 but teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers from 8+. As a family school, we accept a wide range of abilities and personalities, but we believe that our small classes purposely kept at 18, high expectations and enthusiastic teaching allow our children to flourish. The Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023 rated our attainment levels as outstanding and sector-leading across the country.  

Considering your child's future education? Discover more about us at www.cargilfield.com.

In our second Cargilfield Talks podcast, our Headmaster, Rob Taylor, discusses children's learning through technology with Pre Prep teacher Jan Harber; Deputy Head and Head of Computer Science, Ross Murdoch and independent child protection consultant, Anne Darling, who has previously visited Cargilfield to give Internet Safety talks to our older children, our parents and our teaching staff. 

Cargilfield is the only stand-alone independent prep school in Edinburgh, providing a nurturing and stimulating education for children aged 3 to 13. We are proud of a broad curriculum, leading to Common Entrance and scholarship exams for children at 13 but teaching a wide range of subjects with specialist teachers from 8+. As a family school, we accept a wide range of abilities and personalities, but we believe that our small classes purposely kept at 18, high expectations and enthusiastic teaching allow our children to flourish. The Education Scotland Inspection Report 2023 rated our attainment levels as outstanding and sector-leading across the country.  

Considering your child's future education? Discover more about us at www.cargilfield.com.