How to Apply
Open Events
We would love to talk to you about your son and, more importantly, talk with him to work out what makes him tick, discuss where he wants to go next and make sure he has the toolkit to get there. We offer many opportunities for you and your son to visit us throughout the year.
Just as every child is different, so no two families follow exactly the same path through the admissions process.
The process is purposefully flexible to give you what you need from it. Some families visit on several occasions over a period of years, others start and complete the process in a matter of weeks.
The main entry points are at age 7, 14 and 16, but you can apply for a place for your son to enter Merchiston at any point between the ages of 7 and 18, providing we have a place.
Admissions Process
Whether your son is a boarder or a day pupil, the admissions process will broadly follow these steps:
| Starting Out | ||
|---|---|---|
| Browse Information: website & prospectus | ||
| Attending Events | ||
| Open mornings/evenings | Group taster events | Drinks receptions |
| Personal Visits (Meet key staff & experience Merchiston life) |
||
| Arrange a personal tour | Arrange a taster visit | Arrange a call to speak with current parents |
| Decision Made | ||
| Fill in a registration form | ||
| In the Year Prior to Starting | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sit entrance exams | ||
| Merchiston requests report from current school | ||
| Offer made |
Tennis & Golf Academy
If your son is interested in joining these specialist programmes, please advise the Admissions Team and they will help you arrange a meeting with the Director of Tennis or the Director of Golf.
The Merchiston Journey
We know it’s complicated! This is designed to help you orientate yourself through the nomenclature of year groups and ages. Prefects, age 17-18 are also in all houses.
| Junior Years | ||
|---|---|---|
| J4 - Pringle | ||
| Primary 4 (Scotland) | Age 7 + 8 | Year 4 (England) |
| J5 - Pringle | ||
| Primary 5 (Scotland) | Age 9 | Year 5 (England) |
| First Form - Pringle | ||
| Primary 6 (Scotland) | Age 10 | Year 6 (England) |
| Second Form - Pringle | ||
| Primary 7 (Scotland) | Age 11 | Year 7 (England) |
| Third Form - Pringle | ||
| S1 (Scotland) | Age 12 | Year 8 (England) |
| Middle Years (Senior School) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Form - Chalmers (Day boys: Rogerson) | ||
| S2 (Scotland) | Age 13 | Year 9 (England) |
| Shell - Chalmers (Day boys: Rogerson) | ||
| S3 (Scotland) | Age 14 | Year 10 (England) |
| Fifth Form - Chalmers (Day boys: Rogerson) | ||
| S4 (Scotland) | Age 15 | Year 11 (England) |
| Sixth Form (Senior School) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lower Sixth Form - Laidlaw | ||
| S5 (Scotland) | Age 16 | Year 12 (England) |
| Upper Sixth Form - Laidlaw | ||
| S6 (Scotland) | Age 17 | Year 13 (England) |
School News
![LouiseW]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728384521/merchistoncouk/mtnnahznuuxrzavqodbp/LouiseW.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728384521/merchistoncouk/mtnnahznuuxrzavqodbp/LouiseW.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1728384521/merchistoncouk/mtnnahznuuxrzavqodbp/LouiseW.png","width":800}])
We had the pleasure of welcoming to school from California children's author, illustrator and photographer, Louise Wannier.
![HadriansWall group shot]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727966796/merchistoncouk/u1yrptutzycomyuuaob5/HadriansWall.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727966796/merchistoncouk/u1yrptutzycomyuuaob5/HadriansWall.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727966796/merchistoncouk/u1yrptutzycomyuuaob5/HadriansWall.png","width":800}])
The boys in the V Form Classical Civilisation set have been enjoying their study of the Roman Military in the Imperial period. In order to aid their study, on Tuesday 1st October they travelled down to Hadrian’s Wall
![Nursery in Design & Technology]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727966401/merchistoncouk/t7ge8jl329as8gzmkxlh/NurseryDT.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727966401/merchistoncouk/t7ge8jl329as8gzmkxlh/NurseryDT.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727966401/merchistoncouk/t7ge8jl329as8gzmkxlh/NurseryDT.png","width":800}])
Our Forest Nursery pupils visited our Design & Technology department in the Senior School this week. Under the watchful eyes of the Sixth Form boys and Mrs Chapman (Faculty Head of Technology & Expressive Arts), the pupils had the opportunity to help make some new wooden signs for the Forest. They also got to see a 3D printer as well as make some cool cardboard planes.
![Open morning tour guide]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727693952/merchistoncouk/uo6v1qlyn6uebu2plpo7/OpenMorningThankYou800x8001.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727693952/merchistoncouk/uo6v1qlyn6uebu2plpo7/OpenMorningThankYou800x8001.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727693952/merchistoncouk/uo6v1qlyn6uebu2plpo7/OpenMorningThankYou800x8001.png","width":800}])
![Cambridge Chemistry Challenge]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725982900/merchistoncouk/xit9f0wxycebkxq2k7iw/ChemistryCompetition800x800.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725982900/merchistoncouk/xit9f0wxycebkxq2k7iw/ChemistryCompetition800x800.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725982900/merchistoncouk/xit9f0wxycebkxq2k7iw/ChemistryCompetition800x800.png","width":800}])
Eight students from Merchiston participated, achieving copper, silver and gold certificates
![Cambridge DT Competition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725632358/merchistoncouk/gjtjqjfutbwj5iaocalu/CambridgeDT.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725632358/merchistoncouk/gjtjqjfutbwj5iaocalu/CambridgeDT.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725632358/merchistoncouk/gjtjqjfutbwj5iaocalu/CambridgeDT.jpg","width":800}])
Hamish J (UVI) and Fudail F (UVI)'s impressive entry took 1st place against over 50 other entrants
from across the world.
