Merchiston - Agent Information

Merchiston Castle School Agent Information

MErchiston

Because every journey starts with ME.

About Merchiston Nestled in a peaceful, wooded 100-acre campus just outside Edinburgh’s vibrant city centre, Merchiston offers an exceptional education where students from around the world can discover and unlock their full potential.

We take pride in understanding each student as an individual, recognising their strengths, nurturing their talents, and supporting them in becoming the very best version of themselves.

Boarding life at Merchiston is welcoming and supportive, with a diverse international community helping students build friendships, cultural awareness, and independence. Wellbeing is central to school life, and our smaller community ensures every student is known, supported, and motivated.

Located just 15 minutes from Edinburgh Airport, Merchiston combines the tranquillity of its campus with easy access to Scotland’s capital and its cultural, recreational, and travel opportunities. Students leave well-equipped with the skills, confidence, and values to succeed globally.

Experience Merchiston – a warm welcome awaits!

merchiston.co.uk admissions@merchiston.co.uk

School Structure When a student joins Merchiston, they join a House system designed to integrate students and provide consistent care from a dedicated team of House Parents.

Our approach prioritises transition from each educational stage; Junior to Middle School then Middle School to Sixth Form and increases the opportunity for cross year relationships and the strengthening of House identities.

Junior School Age

English System

Merchiston

9/10

Year 5

J5

10/11

Year 6

First Form

House

Pringle 11/12

Year 7

Second Form

12/13

Year 8

Third Form

Middle Years Age

English System

Merchiston

13/14

Year 9

Fourth Form

14/15

Year 10

Shell

15/16

Year 11

Fifth Form

Age

English System

Merchiston

16/17

Year 12

Lower Sixth Form

17/18

Year 13

Upper Sixth Form

House

Chalmers East & West

Sixth Form House

Laidlaw South & North

Curriculum At Merchiston, students follow a flexible academic pathway, primarily through GCSEs and A Levels, with the option of Scottish qualifications in selected subjects. The curriculum offers both breadth and choice to suit each pupil’s strengths and aspirations.

Small class sizes provide personalised attention, supported by subject clinics, tutorials, and revision sessions to help every student achieve their best. Alongside academics, pupils develop essential life skills, including communication, digital literacy, and modern languages, preparing them for success beyond school.

The enrichment programme encourages independent thinking and learning beyond the syllabus. Students can take part in the Cecil Stagg Society, Sixth Form research projects, national competitions, debating, book groups, and joint activities with partner schools.

Merchiston nurtures academic ambition in every student, giving them the confidence and tools to explore their passions and achieve their full potential.

Boarding Boarding at Merchiston offers a warm, welcoming, and modern home away from home. Our community is diverse and vibrant, with pupils from across the world living and learning alongside one another. This brings a genuine international spirit to daily life and helps pupils develop cultural awareness, confidence, and lifelong friendships.

Our boarding houses provide outstanding care and comfort. Chalmers East and West, our fully refurbished Middle Years house, offers bright, contemporary accommodation designed to help pupils feel settled from the moment they arrive. In the Sixth Form, pupils move into Laidlaw, our dedicated senior boarding house. With single bedrooms and en-suite facilities, Laidlaw bridges the gap between school and university life by offering greater independence within a supportive environment.

Boarding life naturally builds confidence, resilience, and independence, supported by House Parents who provide consistency, care, and clear guidance. Pupils quickly form strong friendships and enjoy being part of a busy, supportive community that feels both safe and familiar.

In the boarding Houses, evenings are filled with choice: sports sessions, music, debating, creative clubs, enrichment events, social activities with partner schools, and games across our extensive campus. There is always something happening, and pupils can be as active or as relaxed as they choose.

After prep time, houses settle into a friendly, relaxed rhythm.

Kitchens become hubs for hot chocolate, snacks, and quiet chats with staff. Pupils can personalise their rooms with home comforts, making their space truly their own.

At Merchiston, boarding is more than a place to stay. It is a vibrant, caring community where students feel known, supported, and inspired, and where lifelong friendships are formed.

A Day In The Life Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Period 1 08:40 09:30

Mathematics

English

Design and Technology

Religious Studies

English

Period 2 09:30 10:20

English

Mathematics

History

Spanish

Design and Technology

Period 3 10:20 11:10

Physics

History

Physics

Design and Technology

English

Break 11:10 - 11:30

Spanish

Chemistry

PSHE

Mathematics

Chemistry

Period 5 12:20 13:10

Chemisty

Computing

Computing

English

Spanish

Rugby

Mathematics

History

Physics

Period 5L 13:10 14:00

Period 7 14:50 15:40 Period 8 15:40 16:30

After School

Rugby

BREAK

Period 4 11:30 12:20

Period 6 14:00 14:50

Saturday

LUNCH

Football

Football Community Outreach

Maths

Tutorial

House time, Prep, House Activities, House Trips

Hockey (16:3017:00)

House time, Prep, House Activities, House Trips

Tennis Academy The Merchiston Tennis Academy provides a clear, proven pathway for players from top county level to junior Grand Slam competitors.

Limited to 28 players at a time, the Academy ensures highly personalised coaching and one-to-one support; enabling athletes to continually improve and maintain consistency on court. Our players train on our 3 indoor courts on Campus, meaning they can seamlessly combine a training schedule with their studies.

Our programme combines world-class tennis training with an exceptional boarding school education. Players benefit from elite coaching, access to appropriately levelled tournaments, and bespoke schedules tailored to individual goals.

High standards set by both coaches and players foster a culture of performance and a genuine love for the game. Merchiston’s integrated boarding and training model supports sporting excellence, personal growth, and development; providing the perfect foundation for aspiring professional tennis players.

Development Academy

Performance Academy

Ages

Programme details

7 to 18

10/11 Hours per week • 1 x 1 hr Individual (extra cost) • 10 hr. Squads • 3 hr. Strength and Conditioning • Invited/Selected players train with Performance Academy

12 to 18

15 Hours per week • 2 x 1 hr. Individual • 13 hr. Squads • 5 hr. Strength and Conditioning

Proudly Awarded Tennis Scotland’s School of the Year 2025

Tennis Brochure

Golf Academy The Merchiston Golf Academy offers a highly personalised and progressive performance programme alongside an outstanding academic education. Limited to 28 players at any one time, the Academy provides tailored coaching, a comprehensive match and tournament schedule, and specialist conditioning led by the worldrenowned Golf Fit team, who work with top professionals worldwide.

As a boarding school, Merchiston can offer flexible academic support and individual tutoring to fit around training and competition demands. This integrated approach allows students to develop all aspects of their game while maintaining academic excellence.

Our proven track record demonstrates how the Academy helps pupils improve rapidly, fostering sporting excellence, confidence, and personal growth. The Golf Academy is the ideal environment for aspiring golfers seeking to reach the highest standards both on and off the course.

Development Academy

Performance Academy

Ages

Programme details

12 to 18

10/11 Hours per week • 1 One-to-one session per week • 2 Group training sessions per week • Club membership at Swanston Golf Club • Unlimited range balls • Access to partner golf clubs • 2 Fitness sessions • V1 Coach and CoachNow app feedback • Discounted teamwear & bags

12 to 18

14/15 Hours per week • 2 One-to-one sessions per week • 3 Group training sessions per week • Access to World Amateur Ranking Golf tournaments • Club membership at Swanston Golf Club • Unlimited range balls • Access to partner golf clubs • 2 Weekly/tailored strength & • Conditioning sessions • Putting analysis technology • Swing analysis/force plate technology • Performance Psychology sessions • V1 Coach and CoachNow app feedback • Discounted teamwear & bags

Golf Brochure

Co-Curricular At Merchiston, students are encouraged to explore, discover new talents, and try as many activities as possible. Whether they are budding athletes, musicians, actors, or scientists, the lessons learned outside the classroom are just as valuable and highly transferable.

Once a student finds activities they truly enjoy, we provide the support to help them excel, potentially sparking a lifelong passion or career path.

Sport is our most popular co-curricular pursuit, closely followed by music and STEM. Beyond these, our Saturday Electives programme offers over 25 options, from coding and creative writing to photography and robotics, designed to enthuse, inspire, and broaden horizons.

Merchiston’s co-curricular provision ensures every student has the opportunity to explore, develop, and thrive in a rich and supportive environment, building confidence, friendships, and skills that extend well beyond the classroom.

Beyond the Classroom

DRAMA

VOLUNTEERING

STEM

PIPES & DRUMS

DUKE OF EDINBURGH

MASTERCHEF

OUTDOOR EDUCATION

MUSIC

ART

Sport Sport has a long and successful tradition at Merchiston, with students able to choose from up to 20 different activities. The main sports are rugby, cricket, athletics, and hockey, though there are opportunities to try many others. Sport here is for everyone, whether playing for fun, fitness, or to compete at the highest national and international levels.

More than 60 Merchistonians have played senior international rugby, and 24 have represented Scotland in cricket. Beyond elite performance, we aim to instil a lifelong love of sport and healthy habits, encouraging students to try new activities until they find the ones they enjoy and develop values such as teamwork, resilience, and discipline along the way.

Opportunities extend beyond timetabled sessions, with evening games, friendly matches, and holiday tours. Talented athletes can join our Tennis and Golf Academies, combining elite coaching with a tailored academic programme to support both sporting and personal development.

Admissions Studying abroad is an exciting adventure, and at Merchiston, international students are welcomed into a vibrant, global community.

Around 20% of our pupils come from over 28 countries, making every year group diverse and culturally enriching.

We provide full support to help students settle in, make friends, explore new cultures, and make the most of their time in Scotland.

Our boarding environment and experienced staff ensure that every pupil feels secure, supported, and connected from day one.

How to Apply Contact our Admissions team (admissions@merchiston.co.uk) to discuss your candidate.

Complete the registration form and submit it with the £120 non-refundable registration fee, a copy of the pupil’s birth certificate and passport, and recent school reports.

Assessments take place online (CAT4) either at Merchiston or remotely.

Submissions are marked and reviewed.

Offers are made once entry requirements are met.

Accept the offer and pay the £5,000 deposit (refundable when leaving Merchiston, less any outstanding charges).

Begin visa application if necessary.

Visa Applications At Merchiston, we are committed to supporting all families through the visa and immigration process while ensuring full compliance with UKVI regulations. Below is a summary of the key requirements for students who need a visa to study in the UK. Sponsored Student Visas (Tier 4/Child Student Visa) For those requiring a sponsored student visa, a limited number of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) are available and are issued via our visa processing partner, Holmes & Partners.

To begin the visa application process, the following must be in place: Offer letter issued and deposit paid Copy of valid passport and birth certificate Proof of appointed guardianship Parental contact details

English as an Additional Language At Merchiston, we provide tailored support for international students who speak English as an additional language (EAL), helping them integrate fully into school life and achieve their academic potential.

Support is personalised based on each pupil’s needs and assessed at entry. For those developing their English, certain classes, such as Modern Languages or Latin, may be replaced with additional EAL sessions, including in-class assistance when necessary. Pupils are encouraged to participate in mainstream classes wherever possible to ensure full integration and engagement.

EAL students typically follow the mainstream IGCSE English curriculum, or may study Cambridge B1 PET or B2 First qualifications, ideal for short-term pupils or those seeking accredited English language qualifications. Sixth Form pupils can also receive IELTS preparation through small group or one-to-one tuition to support university entry and visa requirements.

The EAL team is highly experienced and always on hand to provide guidance, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Additional charges apply for EAL sessions, reflecting the high-quality, specialist support provided.

World-Class Facilities Situated in the south of Edinburgh on a stunning 100-acre campus, Merchiston offers students a remarkable environment for learning, sport, and personal growth. The grounds are rich with greenery, sports fields, tennis courts, gardens, and quiet spaces for study and reflection. Remarkably, our campus is home to the second highest variety of trees in Edinburgh, after the Royal Botanic Gardens, providing a beautiful and natural backdrop to school life.

Our boarding facilities combine comfort, community, and independence. The Middle Years boarding houses have recently undergone a multi-million-pound refurbishment, creating modern, welcoming spaces for younger students to settle and thrive. For our older students, Sixth Form boarding offers single en-suite rooms, giving them a real taste of independence as they prepare for university or their next step in life.

Merchiston’s campus supports a rich, well-rounded experience.

Students can balance academic study, sporting pursuits, and leisure, all within safe, inspiring surroundings. Located just 15 minutes from Edinburgh Airport, the school is easily accessible for international students and families, combining the tranquillity of our green campus with the convenience of a major European city on the doorstep.

Our Fees

Why Edinburgh?

Merchiston Castle School is located on the South side of Edinburgh, one of the world’s most inspiring cities for students. Recognised by Time Out as one of the best cities to live and visit, Edinburgh combines stunning architecture, rich history, and a vibrant cultural scene; making it an exciting and safe environment in which to study and grow.

Students benefit from world-class theatres, galleries, museums, and internationally renowned festivals, including the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe. The city also offers excellent transport links, easy access to nature, and Edinburgh Airport is just 15 minutes from school, ensuring seamless travel for international families.

With its unique blend of culture, history, and modern living, Edinburgh provides the perfect backdrop for students to thrive academically, socially, and personally.

MErchiston

Because every journey starts with ME.

merchiston.co.uk admissions@merchiston.co.uk