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Various things make the education and experience of Merchiston Juniors different and so valuable.
Education in gentle steps as opposed to a 'big jump'. Our boys start out in a classic primary school style education in the Pringle Centre, with their Form Teacher. However, in First Form, when the boys are 10 years old, they experience a transition between a 'primary school' style of teaching and a 'senior school' style. Specialist teachers are introduced, and all the facilities in Science, Art, Design, ICT and Music of the Senior School. This continues in Second and Third Forms, so our boys have less of a 'big jump' when they move into the Senior School. This means by the time they would usually be sitting Common Entrance exams and changing schools (at 12+), which is often a major change, they are well prepared and ready for the next stage of their education. This is a unique feature of our education from 8 to 13, and our experience shows it delivers the best results when boys sit their GCSEs and A levels.
The diagram illustrates how at Merchiston our Juniors are given a 'two-stepped' approach to their teaching and learning (right) compared with the conventional 'primary to senior single-step' (left). This graduation in learning helps our boys make a seamless move into the Senior School.
No stressful entrance exams. Moving school can be a stressful and testing time for both child and parents. If a boy joins Merchiston at 13+ (or any senior independent school), some form of entrance exam is usually required. This also can apply to those schools that have their own Prep School attached. Merchiston Juniors boys move up as a matter of course, without an added hurdle for parents and child to worry about.
No stressful and uncertain change of environment. When any child moves school there is a major change of environment, classmates, teachers, rules and culture. Whilst we understand some parents like to join a senior school at 13, we also know that our boys moving from Merchiston Juniors to the the Senior School arrive with their peer group, well adjusted, relaxed and ready to get on with the serious business of preparing for GCSEs. This, we feel, is one of the major advantages of starting life at Merchiston at 8 or 9 years old.
A gentle introduction to boarding. The years in Pringle House (Merchiston Juniors boarding house) allow boys who so wish to make a gradual transition from being day-boys to boarding. Boys can flexi-board (in J4 to I Form), or even spend the odd weekend boarding. This lets parents see if their sons are ready to gain more independence and enjoy the boarding lifestyle. We find that many day-boys quite quickly ask to board, and the fun on offer at weekends results in many asking to stay on at school!
The added-value of access to all the Senior School facilities. Few primary, prep or junior schools in Scotland have access to the range of facilities and experiences our Juniors do. Even though the boys have their own discrete boarding house, teaching centre and play areas, they all have access to the School's music, drama, art, ICT, design and sports facilities. This includes the swimming pool, fives courts, and the full range of all-weather tennis and cricket facilities. Merchiston Juniors can also experience our Tennis and Golf Academy courses if desired.
Nothing on this website can truly reflect what Merchiston Juniors have to offer your son - or the unique ethos and flavour of the life in Pringle House. A visit is the best way to get a feel of what we offer - and we welcome any parents who wish to come and see us. Please just get in touch.
Juniors Gallery
An education at Merchiston can start at 8 years old. From 8 to 13, boys are in Merchiston Juniors and their care and social life revolves around Pringle House, which is within the school grounds but separate from the main school. Thus the boys have their own identity and the benefits of a smaller community suitable for their age.
All the boarders live in Pringle House, which is their base for homework, relaxation and sleeping. Day boys also use Pringle as their base. Pringle also has its own walled playing fields for football and other sports.
The boys are cared for by their Housemaster, the Housekeepers and House Mother, whose role extends to a wide range of pastoral and domestic issues. In addition to the Housemaster, there is a dedicated team of House Tutors, and a team of residential Prefects who assist with the running of the House. The Prefects are excellent role models for the younger boys and play a vital role in all aspects of House life.
For the first two years (J4 and J5) the boys are taught by a single Form Teacher in the modern Pringle Teaching Centre nearby. This mirrors what is best about primary education. Thereafter (I, II and III Forms) the boys start to take lessons in the Senior School and enjoy a balance of learning styles. Crucially they get a 'gentle' introduction to an education in a Senior School but also enjoy all the facilities the main school offers.
By the time the boys are 12, and in their final year, they are ready to move up to the Senior School - and we find the transition is generally effortless. The boys also are in many respects further advanced than boys from other schools, insofar as they have had the advantages of Senior School teaching. At this point they are joined by an intake of boys from other schools and move up through the Senior School as a cohort of around 70 to 80 boys.
For a further insight into a boy's life at Merchiston, view the Merchiston Journey.
