School Structure
Video Gallery
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.
Our approach prioritises transition from each educational stage; Junior to Middle School then Middle School to Sixth Form and increases the opportunity for cross year relationships and the strengthening of house identities.
Pringle House
Pringle House is home to our 2nd Form and 3rd Form 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
Laidlaw North and South are exclusively used by our Sixth Form students. We believe this strengthens the year group bonds and provides an excellent experience as they prepare for the next stage of their education.
This structure provides a clear line of progression through Merchiston and allows for long-term pastoral relationships to be built and proud house identities to be developed.
Junior Years
School year overview | |||
---|---|---|---|
English System | Scottish System | Merchiston Form | |
Age 9/10 | Year 5 (England) | P5 (Scotland) | J5 |
Age 10/11 | Year 6 (England) | P6 (Scotland) | First Form |
Age 11/12 | Year 7 (England) | P7 (Scotland) | Second Form |
Age 12/13 | Year 8 (England) | S1 (Scotland) | Third Form |
Middle Years
School Year overview | |||
---|---|---|---|
English System | Scottish System | Merchiston Form | |
Age 13/14 | Year 9 (England) | S2 (Scotland) | Fourth Form |
Age 14/15 | Year 10 (England) | S3 (Scotland) | Shell |
Age 15/16 | Year 11 (England) | S4 (Scotland) | Fifth Form |
Sixth Form
School Year overview | |||
---|---|---|---|
English System | Scottish System | Merchiston Form | |
Age 16/17 | Year 12 (England) | S5 (Scotland) | Lower Sixth Form |
Age 17/18 | Year 13 (England) | S6 (Scotland) | Upper Sixth Form |