Merchiston Castle School Information Booklet.Pdf
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INFORMATION BOOKLET In order to join WLSA, schools must HEADMASTER’S INTRODUCTION pass exceptionally high requirements I hope you find all you need within our prospectus pack and on our website to to become an associate. Such rigorous help you with the important task of selecting a school for your son. standards include obtaining remarkable academic results, demonstrating a Read, digest, explore. Meet our community. Discover what makes us diferent. holistic approach to student wellbeing, Understand our aims for your son and how we deliver on them. See if you can and championing respect and concern imagine him here. for diferent peoples and cultures. Based around Edinburgh, the historic Merchiston is a remarkable school where boys make lifelong friends and community and atmospheric capital city of Scotland, connections, whilst gaining a world-class, global, outward-looking education. Merchiston is renowned for its success Our community’s wellbeing is central; without it no one will ever achieve their best. in guiding its pupils to try their hardest That is why wellbeing underpins everything we do. Your son will thrive because he is and to strive to achieve the highest levels known, understood, valued, and supported in everything he does. possible in all areas — academic, cultural, sporting, leadership and simply living I would love to talk with you about your son and, more importantly, talk with him to together as part of a community. work out what makes him tick, discuss where he wants to go next and make sure he has the toolkit to get there. Your son will leave Merchiston as a rounded individual, WORLD LEADING SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION not only having achieved the very highest level of personal academic success, but also with a sense of who he is and with respect for others, having learnt what it means to have true integrity and character. I invite you to take a closer look at Merchiston to gain a feel for the unique atmosphere, ethos and spirit we ofer and to discover how we can deliver an education made for your son. Warmest regards, JONATHAN ANDERSON Headmaster The only school in Scotland to be an associate of the World Leading Schools Association A balanced curriculum, excellent THE MERCHISTON DIFFERENCE HISTORY pastoral care and a high A Level pass rate make Merchiston one of the UK’s What makes Merchiston diferent? It is a combination In 1828, Charles Chalmers started a small school leading independent schools. of things: our size, our genuine focus on the needs of from humble beginnings, on a site now occupied by the individual, and the fact that we really understand Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall. As pupil numbers increased UKBOARDINGSCHOOLS.COM boys and how to get the very best out of them. he took the lease of Merchiston Tower, from which the school name is derived (the former home of John It is a potent trio. It is what enables us to know your son Napier of logarithm fame) — then in rural surroundings, really well and to understand what makes him tick. It is and opened his academy, starting with some 30 boys. why we can support him in a way that is material and motivating to him. It is the reason your son will strive Like his famous brother, Dr Thomas Chalmers for personal excellence and want to be the best version (mathematician, physicist and theologian), Charles of himself. It is the secret of his, and our, success. was also a brilliant and original thinker in Mathematics and Science. It was, therefore, no surprise that he included these subjects in the curriculum. At a time OUR MISSIONS AND AIMS when most other schools confined themselves to studying the Classics, Merchiston was already leading Our mission is to provide a caring community for the way in preparing its pupils for the world in which your son, which treats him as an individual, unearths they would live. and tends his talents, encourages him to pursue excellence in all he does and enables him to flourish. Merchiston grew, but so did the boundaries of the City of Edinburgh. The Governors decided to move the School to Colinton, so that its 210 students should once WE AIM TO ENSURE THAT YOUR SON: again enjoy the advantages of both town and country; • Acquires the confidence and leadership skills to there the new School opened its doors in 1930. In June succeed in a dynamic and global world, and to strive 1933, the school was honoured by the presence of for the highest standards Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York • Balances modesty and confidence (later to become Their Majesties King George VI and • Becomes an enthusiastic and curious learner Queen Elizabeth). achieving excellence in all he does Fifty years on, at a time of further expansion and with • Develops compassion, respect for others 350 boys on the roll, their daughter, Her Majesty and integrity Queen Elizabeth II, visited the School on the occasion • Discovers and embraces all of the opportunities on of its 150th anniversary. ofer to develop his talents • Enjoys a sense of happiness and fulfilment In today's School, traditional Scottish elements, such as the wearing of the kilt for formal occasions, are still • Learns tolerance and responsibility very prominent, and the Pipe Band features frequently • Understands the needs of others within and in School life. Rugby is played enthusiastically and the beyond our community annual fixture against Edinburgh Academy is the longest established inter-club school match in the world, having been played continuously for over 150 years. A community where boys thrive The School's motto 'Ready ay Ready', which features both in and out of the classroom. in the chorus of the School song (last revised in the 1950s but much older in origin), is still sung with gusto PARENT by the School. THE MERCHISTON JOURNEY FEES MERCHISTON JUNIORS ADDITIONAL CHARGES Your son will join a tried and tested house system that allows him to remain with his peer group as he Boarding Fee J4 to I Form £7,220 Occasional Boarding £51.50 per term per night progresses through the School; day boys are fully Day Fee £5,010 English as an Additional Language £190 integrated into this system. This means that your son will per term per term experience a new boarding house and housemaster at A comprehensive list of ‘Extra Charges’ is available Boarding Fee II and III Form £8,390 the start of each Autumn Term of the Middle Years. per term from the Assistant Bursar. Day Fee £5,660 per term Fee concessions are available as follows: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OUR SYSTEM? Schools fees include tuition, 24-hour supervision and Second Child 5% • A single housemaster oversees academic concerns care, meals, laundry (excluding dry cleaning), travel for relating to one complete year group, fulfilling the Third Child 20% school matches and careers counselling. role of Head of Year. Fourth Child 40% • Disciplinary structures are fairer and more Boarding children of serving Service Personnel 10% SENIOR SCHOOL consistent because the same housemaster handles In addition, Merchiston operates a joint fee scheme them for all boys in a year group. Boarding Fee IV Form and above £11,730 per term with Kilgraston School, Bridge of Earn and St George’s • We can more easily help new pupils integrate into School for Girls, Edinburgh. the year group. Day Fee £8,510 per term Please note that only one concession is available • We can regulate school days better because There is a premium for direct entry into the VI Form, per pupil and does not extend to Additional or all boys start and finish prep, games and activities equivalent to 5% of the Senior School Boarding fee for Extra Charges. at the same time; this means the house runs each of the two VI Form years. more efciently. School Fees are billed in advance at the beginning of • Social events are centrally organised to suit SPORTS ACADEMIES each term with Additional and Extra Charges billed in a particular age group. arrears. Payment is due on the first day of each term. • By starting afresh each academic year, your son Tennis Academy Elite Squad £1,395 per annum will develop adaptability, relationship-building skills, Development Squad £660 new structures and focus points. per annum If your son becomes a prefect in the Upper Sixth year, Golf Academy Elite Squad £2,430 he may be allocated to one of the boarding houses per annum to lead the younger pupils in the School. As well as Development Squad £1,320 providing an excellent role model for the younger boys, per annum and valuable support to the housemaster and tutors, your son will gain useful leadership skills and experience. Traditional, warm and personal school - small enough Despite fewer than 50% of Independent Schools Council (ISC) schools being for everyone to know everyone. Blessed with lovely grounds, academically selective, pupils significantly outperform the national and global with the bonus of having Edinburgh on the doorstop. averages academically. GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE — 2020 ISC 2019 CHILD WELLBEING AND PROTECTION Positive ALL- THROUGH CURRICULUM SPORT AND CO-CURRICULAR Relationships and Behaviour The School aims to ensure that your son and all pupils, Management Merchiston’s 7–18 curriculum is designed to challenge In Merchiston Juniors and the Middle Years, your son Academic Health staf and volunteers live and work together in a safe Curriculum and Safety your son in an appropriate, progressive and cohesive will be encouraged to participate in team and individual environment. Your son should be able to approach adults manner. This enables us to meet his needs and sports.