Merchiston Castle School, SCOTLAND

Founded 1833
Colinton, Edinburgh, Scotland EH13 0PU
Tel: +44 131 312 2200  Fax: +44 131 441 6060

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Headmaster: Mr A R Hunter, BA  Bursar: D G Smith  Admissions: Mrs Anne Rickard - Director of Admissions

Merchiston Castle School, one of Scotland's leading independent schools, is situated four miles from the centre of Edinburgh in 100 acres of beautiful parkland. The School has an unrivalled reputation for providing an excellent all-round education for boys aged 8-18, with boys achieving high standards academically, in the arts and in sports. The school was recently named The Sunday Times Scottish Independent Secondary School of the Year for 2009.

Merchiston has a friendly atmosphere and pastoral care is a top priority. The School's unique house system fosters friendship and security. Its homely Junior School, Pringle, (8-12 year olds) is located separately within the School grounds. A state-of-the-art Sixth Form boarding house with en-suite bedrooms, open plan social spaces and a gym opened in January 2009.

With a generous teacher to pupil ratio of 1:9, Merchiston is particularly renowned for its academic excellence. The boys achieved an excellent 100% A Level pass rate in 2010, with an impressive 80% at A* to B grades. 84% of GCSE grades were awarded at A*-B grades.

Merchiston has a strong reputation for its sporting achievements, with current pupils participating at international level in sports, ranging from fencing to cricket. The School is particularly well known for the high standards of its rugby.

Music is encouraged through the purpose-built music school which caters for a wide range of instrumental and choral pursuits - more than two thirds of the school are involved in music. There are many opportunities for music tours to parts of England, France, Spain and Canada. Drama also flourishes - whilst recent success in national technology competitions has been spectacular.

For students from overseas there is the opportunity to experience the British education system as well as to improve their English. In addition to a full academic, sports and extra-curricular programme, Merchiston also provides extensive individual support to a number of its students. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is provided. The School has its own Guardianship scheme.

Alumni - The Merchistonian Club, founded in 1865, boasts many high profile members, including the Scottish rugby player John Jeffrey who gained 40 International caps, the politician The Rt Honourable Lord John McGregor and Sir Peter Burt, Former Chief Executive of the Bank of Scotland.

The alumni allows old boys to keep in touch. As always, sport is high on the agenda, and Merchistonians field teams for rugby, cricket, golf, tennis, squash, curling, shooting and swimming.

Age range: 8 - 18

Day pupils: 171 boys

Annual day fees: £11,385 - £17,940

Full boarding pupils: 312 boys

Annual full boarding fees: £16,140 - £24,780

This school offers flexi-boarding.

TOTAL PUPILS: 483 boys, including 171 boys in the 6th form

Staff numbers: 174 full time and 28 part time

Method of entry: Assessment, Common Entrance, Entry test or exam, GCSE results, Interview, Report from previous school, Scholarship or bursary exam, Please apply to school, Scholarship exam

Accreditations and affiliations: BSA, HMC, ISC, ISCO, SHMIS, AGBIS, SCIS, ISBA, SLS, ISEB, ASCL, AMDIS, IBSC

Religious affiliation: Inter-denominational

Teaching languages: English

Please note that as most schools offer the core subjects, such as Maths, Geography, Sciences, History, Art and Religious education, these are not included as searches.

Academic	Languages	Sport	Activities	Music	Miscellaneous
Classics Design technology Economics Electronics Government/Politics ICT Painting/Sculpture	Ancient Greek Chinese Dutch English English as foreign/2nd language French German Italian Japanese Latin Mandarin Russian Spanish	Athletics Badminton Basketball Cricket Cross-country Fencing Fitness training Football Golf Hockey Martial arts Rugby Squash Swimming Tennis Water sports	Adventure training Astronomy Cadets - CCF/ACF/ATC etc Chess Cycling Dance Drama productions Duke of Edinburgh Award Public speaking/Debating Sailing Scuba diving Shooting Skiing	Band/Orchestra Brass Choir Guitar Jazz Keyboard Organ Percussion Pipe band Singing Strings Woodwind	Experience of expatriates' children Experience of international students Experience of services' children Particular diets Rail/Airport services School bus service

The school offers: Other bursaries, Clergy/Ministers, Academic, Armed forces discounts or bursaries, Choral, Art, Junior school entry, CDT, Siblings, Music, Financial need, Senior school entry, All-rounder, Other scholarships, Teaching, 6th Form, Sport, Means tested scholarships, Means tested bursaries

Exam boards: Edexcel Foundation, AQA, OCR, SQA, IGCSE, AS Level, Cambridge ESOL, GCSE, IELTS, ECDL, A Level

  % pass rate at grades A* to C (exams at age 16): 98%
  % pass rate (exams at age 18): 100%
21 courses are offered for age 18 exams
100% of pupils went on to Higher Education or took a Gap Year

This school provides for individual pupils with these needs:
Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD)
Dyslexia or Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)
Hearing Impairment (HI)

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