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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. 

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

School News

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Boys playing rugby at Merchiston Castle School

We are excited to announce that we will once again host the Rugby Coaching Clinic at this year's Melrose 7s - registrations are open!