INTRODUCTION FROM THE HEADMASTER
I hope you find all you need within our prospectus pack and on our website to help you with the important task of selecting a school for your child.
At Merchiston, we offer a distinctive educational journey: our renowned boys-only senior school paired with our thriving co-educational Forest Nursery & Junior School. This thoughtful structure allows us to provide the best of both worlds—a nurturing, inclusive early education followed by a specialised approach during the formative teenage years.
Our senior school provides a remarkable environment where boys make lifelong friendships and community connections while gaining a world-class, globally-minded education. We understand that boys often learn differently, and our tailored approach ensures they develop not only academically but as well-rounded individuals with integrity and character.
Meanwhile, our nursery and junior school creates a vibrant co-educational community where every child’s unique potential is recognised. Through a rich blend of indoor and outdoor learning experiences, children develop curiosity, self-belief, and respect for others regardless of gender. As our co-educational setting expands each year through to Primary 7, it provides a seamless foundation for future learning.
Across both settings, wellbeing remains central to everything we do—because without it, no one achieves their best. Each child at Merchiston is known, understood, valued, and supported in everything they do.
I would love to speak with you about your child’s specific needs and aspirations. I invite you to visit us to experience our unique atmosphere and discover how we can deliver an education perfectly tailored to your child—whether in our co-educational early years or our specialised boys’ senior school.
Warmest regards,
JONATHAN ANDERSON Headmaster
THE MERCHISTON DIFFERENCE
What makes Merchiston different? It is a combination of things: our size, our genuine focus on the needs of the individual, and the fact that we really understand boys and how to get the very best out of them.
It is a potent trio. It is what enables us to know your son really well and to understand what makes him tick. It is why we can support him in a way that is material and motivating to him. It is the reason your son will strive for personal excellence and want to be the best version of himself. It is the secret of his, and our, success.
OUR MISSIONS AND AIMS
Our mission is to provide a caring community for your son, which treats him as an individual, unearths and tends his talents, encourages him to pursue excellence in all he does and enables him to flourish.
WE AIM TO ENSURE THAT YOUR SON:
• Acquires the confidence and leadership skills to succeed in a dynamic and global world, and to strive for the highest standards
• Balances modesty and confidence
• Becomes an enthusiastic and curious learner achieving excellence in all he does
• Develops compassion, respect for others and integrity
• Discovers and embraces all of the opportunities on offer to develop his talents
• Enjoys a sense of happiness and fulfilment
• Learns tolerance and responsibility
• Understands the needs of others within and beyond our community
HISTORY
In 1828, Charles Chalmers started a small school from humble beginnings, on a site now occupied by Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall. As pupil numbers increased he took the lease of Merchiston Tower, from which the school name is derived (the former home of John Napier of logarithm fame) — then in rural surroundings, and opened his academy, starting with some 30 boys.
Like his famous brother, Dr Thomas Chalmers (mathematician, physicist and theologian), Charles was also a brilliant and original thinker in Mathematics and Science. It was, therefore, no surprise that he included these subjects in the curriculum. At a time when most other schools confined themselves to studying the Classics, Merchiston was already leading the way in preparing its pupils for the world in which they would live.
Merchiston grew, but so did the boundaries of the City of Edinburgh. The Governors decided to move the School to Colinton, so that its 210 students should once again enjoy the advantages of both town and country; there the new School opened its doors in 1930. In June 1933, the school was honoured by the presence of Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York (later to become Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth).
Fifty years on, at a time of further expansion and with 350 boys on the roll, their daughter, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, visited the School on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.
In today's School, traditional Scottish elements, such as the wearing of the kilt for formal occasions, are still very prominent, and the Pipe Band features frequently in School life. Rugby is played enthusiastically and the annual fixture against Edinburgh Academy is the longest established inter-club school match in the world, having been played continuously for over 150 years.
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The School's motto 'Ready ay Ready', which features in the chorus of the School song (last revised in the 1950s but much older in origin), is still sung with gusto by the School.
THE FOREST JOURNEY
The Forest Nursery and Junior School opened its doors in September 2024 to meet the demand for alternative approaches and offer the very best formative early years’ education. It’s founded upon a holistic approach to development and child-centred learning. Nestled in the School’s expansive, wooded campus, The Forest curriculum has been designed to nurture the whole child—promoting not only intellectual development but also emotional, social, and physical growth through play, exploration, and hands-on learning. It is co-educational; Nursery for boys and girls aged 3-5 and our Junior School for boys and girls in P1–4 rolling through to P7.
THE MERCHISTON JOURNEY
When your son joins Merchiston, he joins a house system designed to integrate students and provide consistent care from a dedicated team of Houseparents.
We have recently changed our provision as we constantly look for new ways to build longerterm relationships between Houseparents and pupils; increase the opportunity to build cross-year relationships and strengthen stronger house identities.
Our new approach prioritises transition from each educational stage; Junior to Middle School then Middle School to Sixth Form.
PRINGLE
Pringle is home to our Second and Third Form, boarders and day boys. This provides an excellent opportunity for them to progress towards Middle School and get used to the Middle/Senior school environment.
CHALMERS
The newly refurbished Chalmers East and Chalmers West provide boarding for our Fourth, Shell and Fifth Form students. Effectively these become two vertical houses providing cross-year interactions and for those in Fifth Form, responsibilities within the house.
ROGERSON
Rogerson is the Day House for all those in Fourth, Shell and Fifth, giving them a base throughout their day at Merchiston. They will still have all the usual opportunities to socialise with their boarding friends alongside the new opportunity again for cross-year interactions.
LAIDLAW
Both Laidlaw North and South are exclusively used by Sixth Form students, housing Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth students both boarding and day. We believe this strengthens the year group bonds and provides an excellent experience as they prepare for the next stage of their education.
Our house structure provides a clear line of progression through the school, allows for longterm, strong pastoral relationships to be built and means that proud house identities can be developed.
FOREST NURSERY – CO -E DUCA TIONAL
CHILD WELLBEING AND PROTECTION
The School aims to ensure that your son and all pupils, staff and volunteers live and work together in a safe environment. Your son should be able to approach adults about concerns, confident that he will be treated with respect and listened to. Adults who work in any capacity in the School act professionally, have knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures, and are sensitive to the signs of children who are in distress or under stress of some kind.
We are inspected by Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate on a five to seven year cycle. You can read (and download) the Education Scotland Reports on Merchiston by visiting the Education Scotland website (www.education.gov.scot), and the Care Inspectorate Reports by visiting the Care Inspectorate website (www.careinspectorate.com).
Merchiston will always have the safety and wellbeing of your son, other pupils and staff as its highest priority.
I am very happy with my son’s Merchiston journey — he has turned into a thoughtful, confident, friendly, ambitious young man, eager to make his way in the world, safe in the knowledge that he has the backing of a group of fellow Merchistonians with whom he has shared his journey. He can stand in any company and speak eloquently with wit and charm and we are extremely proud of him.
Pupil Voice
Pupil Support and Tutoring
ALL-THROUGH CURRICULUM
Merchiston’s 9–18 curriculum is designed to challenge your son in an appropriate, progressive and cohesive manner. This enables us to meet his needs and ensure that he finds success at an individual level. Our curriculum and approach to learning and teaching is underpinned by a commitment to Getting It Right For Every Child. Personal, Social and Health Education is integral to this, within the Wellbeing agenda, and addresses your son’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Although we do not use the Experiences and Outcomes of the Curriculum for Excellence, we have woven many of their key principles into the Merchiston narrative through ongoing self-evaluation and a drive to continually improve outcomes for each of our boys. Merchiston's curriculum has evolved over many years, combining the best of the Scottish and English systems. It is designed to provide maximum opportunity for your son to attain, achieve, and develop to be the best he can be, in a safe, supportive, challenging and caring environment.
SPORT AND CO-CURRICULAR
In Merchiston Juniors and the Middle Years, your son will be encouraged to participate in team and individual sports. In the Autumn and Lent Terms, the main sport is rugby; in the Summer Term, cricket and athletics. The School also operates a Golf Academy and a Tennis Academy. The academies offer highly personalised and progressive performance programmes alongside an exceptional academic education that is specially adapted to sit alongside each individual’s schedule.
In all of the School’s co-curricular activities, we offer your son opportunities to discover his talents and we provide the pathways for him to achieve excellence. These opportunities are provided through our compulsory sport and activity programmes. These normally include activities such as:
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Football
• Hockey
• Rugby
• Fives
• Golf
• Shooting
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
• CCF
• Chess
• Computing
• DofE
• Debating
• Design
• Drama
• Electronics
• Skiing
• Squash
• Tennis SPORT
• Swimming
• Engineering
• Masterchef
• Mountain Biking
• Music
In the Fifth and Sixth Forms, your son will have greater choice over his sporting programme. The major sports are not compulsory, but he must participate in physical activity on three afternoons a week, and will be encouraged to reach his potential in his chosen sport. In Sixth Form, he can gain experience working with people and organisations through the Koinonia Programme (Teamwork with the Community) and in Lower Sixth, he will have the opportunity to undertake an individual research project on a subject of his choice.
ENTRANCE ASSESSMENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
THE FOREST JUNIOR SCHOOL
For entry into the Forest Juniors, pupils will meet with the Head of the Forest Junior School who will guide them through a series of fun, informal activities. These will include games and questions designed to explore their numeracy, literacy, and cognitive skills, as well as a friendly chat to get to know them better. The purpose is simply to understand their current learning stage.
MERCHISTON JUNIORS
For entry into J5, First, Second & Third Forms (i.e. 9, 10, 11 & 12 years of age in September of the year of entry), online assessments can take place throughout the year.
MIDDLE YEARS
For entry into Fourth Form (i.e. 13+ years of age in September of the year of entry), candidates will sit online entrance assessments. An interview will also take place and a report from your current school is required. These assessments can take place throughout the year. Common Entrance examinations are also accepted; simply contact the Admissions Department for detailed information.
SIXTH FORM
Entry to Sixth Form is based upon candidates’ predicted and actual GCSE results or equivalent exams. Candidates will sit online entrance assessments; an interview will also take place and a report from your current school is required.
SCHOLARSHIPS
To apply for a scholarship, you will need to register your son and complete a scholarship application form available from the Admissions Department.
Scholarships are available in: Academic (13+, 16+); Sport (13+, 16+); Music and Pipe Band (13+, 16+); Art and Design (13+, 16+); STEM (13+, 16+); and All-rounder (13+, 16+).
For further information, see our Scholarships brochure.
ACCREDITATIONS
LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS
BY ROAD
Edinburgh is situated to the south of the Firth of Forth and, with all major roads and motorways converging on the city, it can be reached easily from all parts of Scotland and England. The main routes from England are the M6 and M74 motorways or the A1 (M) motorway and A1 trunk road. Merchiston is situated just off the A720, Edinburgh Bypass.
BY RAIL
Merchiston is approximately 20 minutes by taxi from Edinburgh Waverley Station, which is a mainline station with regular service connections to all parts of Scotland and other parts of the UK. Travel time to London King’s Cross is approximately 4.5 hours.
BY AIR
Merchiston is within easy reach of Scotland’s main international airports — Edinburgh (15 minutes) and Glasgow (1 hour). There are regular scheduled flights to all parts of the UK, Europe and international destinations. Flights to Edinburgh from London are available at numerous times throughout the day and have a standard duration of 1 hour 15 minutes.
Approximate air travel times from Edinburgh International Airport:
London 1 ¼ hours
Dublin 1 hour
Amsterdam 1 ½ hours
Düsseldorf 1 ½ hours
Frankfurt 1 ¾ hours
Brussels 1 ½ hours
Paris 1 ½ hours
Madrid 2 ½ hours
New York 7 ½ hours
EDINBURGH AIRPORT
GLASGOW AIRPORT
