Pringle Teaching Centre
The School aims to help you be the best that you can be, and will push you to achieve your personal goals - even things you never thought you could achieve." Junior School Pupil
Your son will start out in a classic primary school style education in the Pringle Centre, with his Form Teacher.
In First Form, (age 10), he will experience a transition to a ‘senior school’ style: specialist teachers are introduced, and all the facilities of the Senior School. This continues in Second and Third Forms, so he will have less of a ‘big jump’ when he moves into the Senior School. This means by the time he would usually be sitting Common Entrance exams and changing schools (at 12+), which is often a major change, he is well prepared and ready for the next stage of his education.
For the first two years (J4 and J5) your son will be taught by a single Form Teacher in the modern Pringle Teaching Centre. This mirrors what is best about primary education. Thereafter (I, II and III Forms) he will start to take lessons in the Senior School and enjoy a balance of learning styles. Crucially he will get a ‘gentle’ introduction to an education in a Senior School but also enjoy all the facilities the main school offers.
By the time he is 12, and in his final year, he is ready to move up to the Senior School – and we find the transition is generally effortless. The boys also are in many respects further advanced than boys from other schools, insofar as they have had the advantages of Senior School teaching. At this point they are joined by an intake of boys from other schools and move up through the Senior School as a cohort of around 70 to 80 boys.
Curriculum content is largely based on the English National Curriculum Key Stages 2 and 3. We are dedicated to helping your son become a: successful learner, effective contributor, responsible citizen and confident individual. In addition, we are committed to integrating Assessment is For Learning, active learning and cross-curricular work into our existing curriculum where appropriate.
We believe that all teachers are teachers of literacy and numeracy. As such, the staff of Merchiston Juniors are committed to developing literacy and numeracy skills in all of our pupils, in the belief that it will support their learning and raise standards across the curriculum.
juliet vaughan - Deputy head academic (Juniors)
| Sample of Daily Routine | |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday 08:00 -08:10 | Registration |
| Collection |
4:30pm (End of the School Day) 5:40pm (After Tea) 6:30pm (After Prep * only available to I, II and III Form) |
| Wednesday | No Prep Option |
| Friday | No Tea Option for J4 and J5 Pupils - collection at 4:30pm |
Alexandra Torrance
Head of Department (Juniors)
BA
Mrs Torrance joined Merchiston four years ago as a Teacher of First Form and is now Head of Department (Juniors). Mrs Torrance believes that primary-aged education should include a sense of awe and wonder. She is continually thinking of new and exciting ways to capture the boys’ imaginations - academically, pastorally, and outside the classroom - to develop each individual’s excitement and love of learning.
Claire Haston
J4/J5 Teacher, PGCE
Claire Haston joined us in 2020, initially as Housemother of Pringle. She then made the move to teach our J4 and J5 pupils over Zoom, during the pandemic. With 17 years of teaching experience, she brings a wealth of ideas and knowledge. A favourite with the boys, her lessons are dynamic, innovative and relevant. Claire enjoys travelling to new parts of the world, being outdoors and cheering on her children at sports fixtures during her downtime. Her favourite subject is History and she did this for her undergraduate degree, prior to her PGCE. Claire is the J4 and J5 teacher for 2023/2024 and is most excited about teaching Environmental Sustainability.
Kirsty Whittle
J4/5 Teacher - BA/PGCE
Mrs Whittle started with us in February 2022 as a part-time member of staff and has now joined the Pringle team as the full time J4/5 Teacher. Mrs Whittle is passionate about ensuring a child's wellbeing is paramount in all aspects of the school curriculum and believes that everyone always progresses when faced with the beauty and wonder of the outdoors. She has 15 years teaching experience working with all ages from 3-13. When not at school, she can be found roaming the lochs and hills of the Boarders with her family and their dog, Dotty.
