In 1966 the College was granted university status as Heriot-Watt University. In 1979 Heriot's became co-educational after admitting girls. In the same year Lothian Regional Council attempted to bring the school in to the local authority system, but the Secretary of State for Scotland intervened. Modern era In the early 21st century, George Heriot's has approximately 1600 pupils. It continues to serve its charitable goal by providing free education to children who are bereaved of a parent, such children being referred to as "foundationers". In 2012, the school was ranked as Edinburgh's best performing school by Higher exam results. Headmasters and principals Chronological list of the headmasters of the school, the year given being the one in which they took office. 1659 James Lawson 1664 David Davidsone 1669 David Browne 1670 William Smeaton 1673 Harry Moresone 1699 James Buchan 1702 John Watson 1720 David Chrystie 1734 William Matheson 1735 John Hunter 1741 William Halieburton 1741 John Henderson 1757 James Colvill 1769 George Watson 1773 William Hay 1782 Thomas Thomson 1792 David Cruikshank 1794 James Maxwell Cockburn 1795 George Irvine 1805 John Somerville 1816 John Christison 1825 James Boyd 1829 Hector Holme 1839 William Steven 1844 James Fairburn 1854 Frederick W. Bedford 1880 David Fowler Lowe 1908 John Brown Clark 1926 William Gentle 1942 William Carnon 1947 William Dewar 1970 Allan McDonald 1983 Keith Pearson 1997 Alistair Hector Thereafter, the title of Headmaster was changed to that of Principal. 2014 (January) Gareth Doodes 2014 (September) Cameron Wyllie (Acting) 2014 (December) Cameron Wyllie 2018 (January) Mrs Lesley Franklin 2021 (August) Gareth Warren Other notable staff James Craik, Classics, c.1822 to c.1832 John Watt Butters, Maths, 1888 to 1899 James Stagg, Science, 1921 to 1923 Donald Hastie, Games, 1949 to 1979 Hastie was reportedly the first full-time games master in Scotland. Ray Milne, French and German, 1974 to 1978 Sam Mort, English and Drama (1997 to 2001), in 2021 Unicef chief of Communication, Advocacy and Civic Engagement in Afghanistan Sports and extra-curricular activities Former pupils' clubs, the Heriot's Rugby Club and Heriot's Cricket Club, carry the School's name and use the School's Goldenacre grounds. George Heriot's School Rowing Club competes at a national level and is affiliated to Scottish Rowing. There is a pipe band, and around 120 pupils take tuition of some kind. Notable alumni Academia and Science George Alexander Carse (1880 – 1950) - physicist (dux in 1898) J. W. S.