The Merchiston Juniors Curriculum

Our curriculum at Merchiston Juniors is designed with the following principles in mind:

• Challenge and enjoyment
• Breadth
• Progression
• Depth
• Personalisation and choice
• Coherence
• Relevance

Curriculum content is largely based on the English National Curriculum Key Stages 2 and 3.  We are very aware of the aims of A Curriculum for Excellence and, although we have chosen not to directly address any of the content changes outlined in this curriculum, we strive to develop the 'four capacities' in all pupils by providing a variety of learning experiences in and out of the classroom.  We are dedicated to helping our pupils become: successful learners, effective contributors, responsible citizens and confident individuals.    In addition, we are committed to integrating Assessment is For Learning, active learning and cross-curricular work into our existing curriculum where appropriate.

We believe that all teachers are teachers of literacy and numeracy.  As such, the staff of Merchiston Juniors are committed to developing literacy and numeracy skills in all of our pupils, in the belief that it will support their learning and raise standards across the curriculum. We are all committed to ensuring that our pupils develop the literacy and numeracy skills necessary to cope confidently with the demands of further education, employment and adult life.

The variety of types of activity within the classroom provides opportunity for individual study, creativity, leadership, co-operative learning, self- and peer assessment and target setting.  Co-curricular activities in the arts and sport provide numerous additional opportunities to be challenged, to flourish and to succeed.  We believe that this wide range of opportunities allows each learner to thrive and develop in a rounded manner.

Junior Four and Five (8/9 year olds) - equivalent to P4 and 5

Our youngest Merchiston Juniors boys follow a broad and stimulating curriculum, with particular importance paid to literacy and numeracy.  Language, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Religious Education, and Personal and Social Health education are taught in their spacious and well-equipped classroom by the classroom teacher.  Specialist facilities are available for use in Science, Art and Design and Technology when appropriate. The boys in Junior Four and Five have the benefit of specialist teachers for Modern Languages, Games, Music, PE and Swimming. 

First Form (10+ year olds) - equivalent to P6

In First Form, the boys begin an early transition to a more secondary style of education.  The First Form has its own Form Room and a dedicated Form Tutor who looks after them. About half the First Form lessons are taught in the Pringle Centre by primary staff. However, the boys have the additional stimulus of visiting specialist departments for Art and Design, Languages, Design and Technology, ICT, Science, Music, PE, Swimming and Games, where they are taught by subject specialist teachers. We firmly believe in this early, phased transition and are delighted that boys in First Form have access to both primary trained and subject specialist staff.

Second and Third Forms (11+ and 12+ year olds) - equivalent to P7 and S1

In Second and Third Form the boys visit specialist departments for all lessons and are taught by a full range of specialist staff, with most subjects set by ability.  The boys are also assigned an academic tutor who will tutor and support them during Second and Third Form. In Second Form, Latin is introduced in to the curriculum and in the Third Form, Science is taught in its separate components: Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Juliet Vaughan
Director of Studies - Merchiston Juniors