Each year, around 65% of students board at Merchiston, with 71% Sixth Formers choosing to do so.
Representing the final two years of school, Sixth Form is a unique phase of education where students begin the transition into the next stage of their academic and professional lives. Our Sixth Form students are more mature, independent and focused on their future, areas that boarding can complement and support.
Read on to see how boarding during this time can enhance the Sixth Form experience.
Dedicated support
Laidlaw House, split into North and South, is our dedicated Sixth Form boarding house, designed and tailored toward meeting the particular needs of the school’s oldest students. From private study areas to first-rate IT facilities and comfortable accommodation, Laidlaw has been set up to accommodate the unique experience of being a Sixth Former.
In this way, Sixth Formers have focused time away from the hustle and bustle of the younger school years, giving them time to focus on exams or higher education applications, while also being surrounded by peers.
Equally, our Sixth Form boarding House Parents are highly attuned to the needs of boys in this phase of life. House Parents – and Deputy House Parents – develop a superb relationship with the older boys, one based on mutual trust and respect. They are there to support, encourage, champion and council. In this way, Laidlaw serves as a stepping stone to the next phase of the boys’ life, bridging the gap between school and adulthood.
Independence
For those looking to head to university, boarding during Sixth Form is a valuable opportunity to build confidence in living independently. The boys in this academic stage are deliberately given more independence to prepare them for life after school, with greater control over their prep hours, evening routine and weekend activities.
In doing so, boarding sets boys up for adulthood. By instilling key skills such as time management, organisation, and healthy living habits, boarding school sets strong foundations for university life and beyond.
As a result, students who board can be more resilient and able to handle life’s challenges with confidence. Having been given the space to live independently, while surrounded by a strong support network, boarders are well-equipped to manage the transition into adulthood.
Community
Boarding during Sixth Form gives young people vital experience in living alongside others. With this, comes a greater respect, empathy and understanding of others, qualities that are crucial for later life.
By co-habiting with their peers, boarding students soon learn the value of cooperation and kindness, recognising the importance of group morale and wellbeing. This experience not only fosters strong friendships but also teaches boys how to work and live harmoniously with others.
Gift of Time
The final two years of school are often some of the busiest, with exams, social occasions and university applications taking up plenty of time in the diary.
For students who previously found themselves with plenty of free time, it can soon feel like every hour is occupied. Boarding offers students extra time back. Those who would otherwise be commuting to and from home back can utilise these hours to participate in their favourite extra-curricular activity or simply enjoy some downtime.
With all of Merchiston’s resources at their fingertips, from the football pitches to the art studio and library, boarders greatly benefit from having the extra time to relax as they see fit and enjoy time with friends.
Boarding at Sixth Forms provides a stepping stone for students to enter adulthood and all the complexities that can bring. At Merchiston, boarding offers students the time and space to explore who he wants to be, and what he wants his future to look like. It is a safe space to learn how to live independently while being considerate and respectful of others, and a time to embrace all the opportunities, activities and friendships that school holds before they set off for their next big adventure.
Find out more about our Boarding offering here.