At Merchiston, our curriculum is designed to give every student the opportunity to thrive. It combines academic rigour with flexibility, allowing each individual to follow a pathway that reflects their strengths, interests and ambitions.
Students typically study a broad range of subjects through GCSEs and A Levels, with the option to take selected Scottish qualifications. This breadth ensures strong academic foundations, while the flexibility within the curriculum allows for thoughtful subject choices as students begin to shape their future direction.
Small class sizes are central to our approach. Every student is known as an individual, enabling teaching that is responsive, supportive and appropriately challenging. Academic support is fully integrated into school life, with subject clinics, tutorial groups and targeted revision sessions ensuring students are well prepared and confident in their learning, particularly at key examination stages.
Alongside subject knowledge, we place a strong emphasis on the skills that underpin long-term success. Clear communication, digital literacy and confidence in modern languages are developed throughout a student’s time at Merchiston, equipping them not only for examinations, but for university and beyond.
A Focused Environment for Growth
As Scotland’s only all-boys independent school, Merchiston offers a distinctive environment in which students can focus, grow and develop with confidence. Within this setting, they are encouraged to participate fully, support one another and develop a strong sense of purpose and belonging.
At the same time, our close partnerships with neighbouring schools ensure a balanced and well-rounded social experience, offering regular opportunities to collaborate and connect beyond the classroom.
Academic Enrichment and Intellectual Curiosity
Learning at Merchiston extends well beyond the core curriculum. A wide-ranging academic enrichment programme encourages students to think independently, explore new ideas and engage more deeply with their interests.
The Cecil Stagg Society plays a central role in this, supporting independent research, discussion and Sixth Form scholarship under the guidance of subject specialists. Students are encouraged to go beyond the syllabus by attending lectures, taking part in national competitions such as the UK Mathematics Challenge and the Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad, and contributing to a vibrant culture of debate and intellectual exploration.
Whether through academic societies, reading groups or collaborative initiatives with partner schools, students are given the space and encouragement to discover what truly interests them and the confidence to pursue it.
Junior School Curriculum
At Merchiston, our junior school provision is delivered across two closely connected settings. The Forest Nursery and Junior School is our co-educational setting, currently welcoming boys and girls from Nursery to P5, and extending to P7 by the 2028/29 academic year. Alongside this, Merchiston Juniors forms part of the all-boys senior school, providing a seamless transition into the later years at Merchiston.
During this period of growth, pupils in First Form/P6/Year 6 (for academic year 2026/27) and Second Form/P7/Year 7 (for academic years 2026/27 and 2027/28) will continue their education within Merchiston Juniors. Across both settings, the focus is consistent: to provide a strong academic foundation within a supportive and engaging environment.
Visit our Forest Nursery and Junior School for further details on our P1 – P5 curriculum
Our Merchiston Juniors Curriculum is designed to provide both breadth and depth, while supporting individual development. Our approach is underpinned by key principles: challenge and enjoyment; breadth; progression; depth; personalisation and choice; coherence; and relevance.
While our curriculum draws on the English National Curriculum, it is also informed by the aims of Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence. Through a wide range of experiences, both in and beyond the classroom, we aim to develop students within its four capacities:
- Successful learners
- Confident individuals
- Responsible citizens
- Effective contributors
Our academic tutorial system ensures that every student is supported throughout their learning journey. Tutors oversee individual progress, meeting regularly with students to discuss learning strategies, set targets and build effective study habits.
Within the classroom, a variety of approaches encourages independence, creativity and collaboration. Students are given opportunities for individual study, leadership, co-operative learning, and both self and peer assessment helping them to develop confidence and a strong sense of ownership over their learning.
Middle Years Curriculum
Our Middle Years Curriculum begins in Third Form and continues the curriculum from the Merchiston Junior years, where they benefit from a curriculum designed to provide both breadth and depth, while supporting individual development. Our approach is underpinned by key principles: challenge and enjoyment; breadth; progression; depth; personalisation and choice; coherence; and relevance.
While our curriculum draws on the English National Curriculum, it is also informed by the aims of Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence. Through a wide range of experiences, both in and beyond the classroom, we aim to develop students within its four capacities:
- Successful learners
- Confident individuals
- Responsible citizens
- Effective contributors
Teaching is designed to be engaging, active and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on developing literacy and numeracy across all subjects. Lessons are tailored to support different learning styles, ensuring each student can make confident and sustained progress.
Our academic tutorial system ensures that every student is supported throughout their learning journey. Tutors oversee individual progress, meeting regularly with students to discuss learning strategies, set targets and build effective study habits.
In Fourth Form, the curriculum provides a broad and academically rigorous foundation in preparation for GCSE study. Students develop subject knowledge, strengthen study skills and begin to identify their individual strengths and interests.
Students typically study:
- English
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- History
- Geography
- Computing
- At least two modern foreign languages
- Art, Design & Technology
- Electronics
- Music
- Religious Studies
- Physical Education
Classical subjects, including Latin, Classical Civilisation and Classical Greek, are also available.
During Fourth Form, students begin to make important decisions about their GCSE subjects. These choices shape their academic pathway through the senior school and can influence future options in the Sixth Form and beyond.
We provide clear guidance and support throughout this process, helping students to understand each subject and its content, structure and approach, so they can make informed and confident decisions.
Shell and Fifth Form, students move into a two-year GCSE (or International GCSE) programme. At this stage, the curriculum becomes more focused, allowing students to study a smaller number of subjects in greater depth.
While this is often the first-time students are asked to specialise, we encourage them to maintain a broad academic base wherever possible, keeping future options open.
All students study a core curriculum, which typically includes:
- English Language
- English Literature (or English as an Additional Language)
- Mathematics
- At least two Sciences
- At least one Modern Foreign Language (unless Support for Learning is required)
- Physical Education (non-examined)
- Religious Studies (non-examined)
- Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
This balanced approach ensures both academic rigour and flexibility, providing a strong platform for Sixth Form study and future pathways.
Sixth Form Curriculum
At Merchiston, our Sixth Form Curriculum offers a distinctive and highly flexible academic experience, designed to support each student’s ambitions and open doors to leading universities in the UK and worldwide.
Students can choose from three globally recognised qualifications: A Levels, and Scottish Highers; allowing us to create tailored academic programmes that combine the strengths of both the English and Scottish systems. While many students follow a traditional A Level pathway, others benefit from carefully considered combinations of qualifications, particularly where this supports broader academic interests or future plans.
All students begin the Lower Sixth studying at least four subjects, ensuring both depth and breadth at this important stage. As they progress into the Upper Sixth, most will refine their focus, typically moving towards three principal subjects, while maintaining the flexibility to pursue a mixed pathway where it is advantageous to do so.
The result is a curriculum that is both academically rigorous and highly adaptable; one that enables each student to pursue their strengths, keep options open and achieve excellent outcomes.
Guidance, Support and Future Pathways
Sixth Form is a time of important decision-making, and we provide expert guidance at every stage. Students are supported to explore future pathways, develop their interests and make informed choices about university and career options.
A wide range of opportunities helps students engage with the world beyond school, including:
- Sixth Form societies
- Careers Café events
- Support to access industry opportunities
Individual support is central to our approach. Each student benefits from dedicated guidance on university and college applications, including one-to-one consultations to discuss options, refine choices and navigate the UCAS process with confidence.
By the time they leave Merchiston, students are not only academically well prepared, but also clear in their direction and confident in their next steps.
Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education & Life Skills Curriculum
At Merchiston, personal development is given the same care and attention as academic achievement. Our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) Education and Life Skills curriculum is carefully designed to support pupils as they grow in confidence, independence and self-awareness, equipping them with the knowledge, judgement and resilience needed to thrive both in school and beyond.
Built around progression, reflection and real-world relevance, our programme is aligned with Education Scotland’s Personal and Social Education Benchmarks, ensuring pupils receive age-appropriate, meaningful and fully compliant provision throughout their school journey.
Delivered through dedicated lessons, alongside tutorials, house meetings and assemblies, the curriculum evolves as pupils mature, providing trusted spaces for discussion, reflection and open conversation.
In the early years, pupils begin building strong foundations in self-awareness, wellbeing and responsible decision-making, exploring topics such as:
- Rights & Responsibilities
- Assessing Risk
- Hygiene for Health
- Sexual Health and Relationships
- Risk Taking – Alcohol and Substance Misuse
- Wellbeing
- Health in our World
- The Media and Body Image
- Mind MOT – Coping With Pressure
- Equality
- Bullying Awareness
- Internet Safety
- Eat yourself happy!
- Attitude – Build Your Brand
- Resilience
- Be Yourself
- Revision Skills
- Poverty & Development
- Economic Wellbeing
- Citizenship and the UK Political System
- Bereavement and Loss
As pupils approach key academic decisions and public examinations, the focus expands to include greater independence, self-management and future planning. Topics include:
- Self Concept
- Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood
- Careers Choices & Pathways
- Learning & Revision Skills
- NSPCC Making Sense of Relationships
- Media Literacy & Digital Resilience
- Wellbeing & Mental Health
- Equality
- Barclay’s Money Matters Programme
In Sixth Form, pupils prepare for life beyond school through a practical and highly relevant programme designed to support university, work and independent living. Topics include:
- Self Concept
- Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood
- Job Application Skills (CVs, Cover Letters & Interviews)
- Learning & Revision Skills
- UCAS Personal Statement Support
- Wellbeing & Mental Health
- Basic Life Support Training
- Equality
- Barclay’s Money Matters Programme
- ‘The Big Leap’
