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School Structure

Student art project

House System

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 longer-term 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. The following amends are being made effective from September 2023: 

Evans will be re-named as Pringle

Evans houses our 2nd Form and 3rd 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 4th, Shell and 5th Form students. Effectively these become two vertical houses providing cross-year interactions and for those in 5th Form, responsibilities within the house. 

Rogerson

Rogerson is the Day House for all those in 4th, Shell and 5th, 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 will exclusively be used for all 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.

This new structure provides a clear line of progression through the school, allows for long-term, strong pastoral relationships to be built and means that proud house identities can be developed.

Junior Years

School Year overview Fee per term
J4 - Pringle
Primary 4
(Scotland)
Age 7 + 8 Year 4
(England)
n/a
(Boarding)

£5,730
(Day)

J5 - Pringle
Primary 5
(Scotland)
Age 9 Year 5 (England) n/a
(Boarding)
£5,730
(Day)
First Form - Pringle
Primary 6
(Scotland)
Age 10 Year 6
(England)
n/a
(Boarding)
£5,730
(Day)
Second Form - Pringle
Primary 7
(Scotland)
Age 11 Year 7 (England) £9,610
(Boarding)
£6,480
(Day)
Third Form - Pringle
S1
(Scotland)
Age 12 Year 8 (England) £9,610
(Boarding)
£6,480
(Day)

 

Middle Years

School Year overview Fee per term
Fourth Form - Chalmers (Day boys: Rogerson)
S2
(Scotland)
Age 13 Year 9
(England)
£13,440
(Boarding)
£9,750
(Day)
Shell - Chalmers (Day boys: Rogerson)
S3
(Scotland)
Age 14 Year 10
(England)
£13,440
(Boarding)
£9,750
(Day)
Fifth Form - Chalmers (Day boys: Rogerson)
S4
(Scotland)
Age 15 Year 11
(England)
£13,440
(Boarding)
£9,750
(Day)

 

Sixth Form

School Year overview Fee Per Term
Lower Sixth Form - Laidlaw 
S5
(Scotland)
Age 16 Year 12
(England)
£13,440
(Boarding)

£9,750
(Day)

Upper Sixth Form - Laidlaw 
S6
(Scotland)
Age 17 Year 13
(England)
£13,440
(Boarding
£9,750
(Day)

School News

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Pupils at Merchiston Castle School standing for a minute of silence by the Garden of Remembrance in November 2023

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Sunday for our annual Service of Remembrance.

Young children at the Tennis Dome at Merchiston Castle School during a fundraiser event

Another birthday, another fundraiser! A staggering £1,500+ raised for Mr Millar's birthday fundraiser at the Dome.

variety of different flags from around the world

It is a wrap on this year's International Week! Find out more about what the boys got to experience. 

graphic logo with black moustache on white field

Help us fundraise for Men's Health in the month on November!