Stewart's Melville College A GSG School

What The Good Schools Guide says

Head

Since 2022, Frances McCrudden BA PGCE. Studied economics at Strathclyde, followed by a year volunteering in Thailand ‘way before it was a tourist destination’. After a brief spell working as an analyst, she realised her calling and completed a PGCE at Glasgow to teach business and economics. She rose quickly through the ranks at two schools in Surrey, returning to Scotland in 2006, where she married her childhood sweetheart and got the job as head of business studies, then head of careers (‘I’m a natural networker’) and, finally, director of sixth form at Mary Erskine before moving here.

The first female head of the all-male Stewart’s Melville, but regards this as a ‘non-issue’: ‘I don’t really think gender comes into it, the important thing is to take everybody with you.’ We found her a bundle of enthusiasm and warmth, with a sharp mind for detail. Communicating is also a forte: ‘I love people, they fascinate me. I love talking to the children and finding out what makes them tick.’ Our pupil guides certainly showed appreciation: ‘She talks to us like adults, a lot of people really love her.’ ‘She’s really warm and remembers your name.’ ‘She only gets upset if people aren’t behaving.’

Her husband is a teacher at a West Lothian primary school; they have one son at the school. When not at work, she does ‘miles’ on her peloton bike (the family think it’s a cult) and she shares a dog with her mum.

Principal of ESMS since 2021, Anthony Simpson. Previously deputy head at Giggleswick School, following a period of teaching in an inner-city school in Liverpool. Moved to Scotland, with support of his Yorkshire-born wife. He has two daughters, both of whom attend the ESMS family of schools, and a black Labrador named Tessa. A keen triathlete, he has represented Great Britain in both the European and world championships. ‘I find if I train, I work more effectively, so I have to make time for some form of exercise.’

Entrance

‘We are the fullest we have ever been,’ says the head. Automatic entry from the junior school, from where virtually all of the (boys only) move up. Entry points are S1 (largest intake), S2, S3, S5 and sixth form, assuming spaces available. Interestingly, they leave spaces in S1 because they know they will be oversubscribed in S2 as more pupils move over from the state sector. Entrance into S4 also possible, but only in exceptional circumstances on account of being in the middle of the two-year National 5 qualification. Selection is by numeracy, literacy and VR tests plus interview. ‘We always take into account where a pupil has come from’.

Exit

Over 90 per cent stay on for fifth and sixth year with the majority (around 70 per cent) heading for Scottish universities. Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews most popular. Occasional sport scholarships to the US. Two medics and three to Oxbridge in 2023. ‘We don’t just turn out doctors, we have as much pride in getting somebody into an apprenticeship’, insists the head. One degree apprenticeship in 2023.

Latest results

In 2023, 88 per cent A/B at National 5; 87 per cent A/B at Higher; 74 per cent A-B at Advanced Higher. In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 64 per cent A at Higher; 60 per cent A at Advanced Higher.

Teaching and learning

ESMS operates a diamond model, meaning that both boys and girls are taught together in juniors, then separated from age 12-17, before going co-ed again for S6. School’s reasoning is that teenage boys and girls work better without the distraction of the opposite sex. The boys seem to approve: ‘It’s so much better without the girls, they’ve always got their hands up.’ ‘I don’t worry if I’ve forgotten my deodorant!’ ‘You can be a bit more childish without the girls being there.’

‘Our academic child is pushed, our non-academic child is given loads of support and help,’ one parent told us – always a good sign. We too saw all abilities thriving, with lively teaching throughout and good relationships with staff. A group of sparky S2’s responded with a dramatic groan to a math’s teacher’s self-proclaimed ‘bobbydazzler’ of a worksheet – but they soon got stuck in. Another class were giggling away at a photo of the teacher as a 3-year-old, used to demonstrate a mathematical theory. Despite a relatively large class, they were completely gripped. ‘That teacher gets me and how I learn,’ one was quick to tell us. There was more bouncy enthusiasm in S1 French as they whizzed their way through a quizlet on their laptops, while a Nat 5 economics class were preparing to take on the world by creating their own governments. Wherever we went, plenty of hands shot up and we saw absolutely no slumping over desks. ‘I think the resources are fantastic and the teachers are very, very well prepared,’ one pupil told us. ‘They’ve got a very good system,’ said another.

Good on STEM but it doesn’t steal the limelight as in some boys’ schools. ‘Humanities flourish here’, we heard – and, indeed, the school has the largest numbers of students taking exams in religious, moral and philosophical studies in Scotland. Pupils are not afraid of debate, with boys clearly happy to speak up and give their views. Classics is popular, and every S1 is timetabled to do coding. ‘This is hugely popular right through to Advanced Higher,’ the school told us.

Class sizes can stray up into the mid-20s, but school offers ‘a completely free subject choice in S3, which not many other schools do’. Technology is embraced – the school uses Firefly and each child rents a laptop from the school, although they try to limit their use in class. ‘It’s just as important to use pen and paper.’

New appointment of depute head in charge of learning (for staff and students) has caused excitement in the staff room. She’s going ‘to focus on innovative practice and make us a centre for excellence,’ we were told.

Learning support and SEN

‘We’re taking the approach of celebrating neurodiversity,’ says the head, who points out that employers increasingly ‘look for people who can think differently’. Sixteen per cent of pupils are on the SEN register, including conditions such as autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADHD and SEMH. They are supported by the head of Support for Learning (SFL) and the numeracy teacher (both shared with the girls’ school, so only available part-time), a full-time literacy specialist, then a further pupil support assistant and admin assistant (both shared). All staff are trained in neurodiversity and the pupils have regular assemblies on subjects such as ADHD. Boys can drop a language from S1 to give extra focus on learning support. ‘You can get extra support at the drop of a hat, lots of drop in sessions over lunch,’ said a pupil, while a parent told us, ‘I get quite emotional, the input has been phenomenal’. No extra charge for one-to-ones.

Fast track programme for the most able children, and individual departments offer stretch activities such as maths challenges.

The arts and extracurricular

An incredible array of extracurricular activities (close to 100 clubs), with virtually every pupil doing at least one activity. Huge numbers in CCF, green fingers, dungeons and dragons, canoeing, orienteering – and even manga club is a thing (comics and graphic novels apparently). ‘Our boy is doing something every night of the week.’

We were a bit disappointed by the art studio (a rather dark, uninspiring Victorian villa on campus) until we found out that it’s only temporary due to a dodgy roof on the original building. Head of art told us there is a strong preference for computer design and a well-trodden path to study in Dundee, the video game capitol of Europe. In 2023, six S6 pupils went onto advanced Higher art with many of them creating half of their folio online.

Prepare to be wowed by the Tom Fleming Centre, a 19th century building that’s had the assembly hall scooped out and re-imagined as the most spectacular performance space. You feel as though you’re on the galley of a ship – and the school makes good use of it with their award-winning performing arts. Drama is on curriculum for the younger years and available to study up to Advanced Higher, with extracurricular performances throughout the year in collaboration with the girls’ school, including musicals for the middle and senior school.

Lots of bands, orchestras, pipes, strings and singing, with a whopping 17 musical clubs or groups, many shared with the girls at Mary Eskine. But how wonderful it was, on our tour, to hear a boys’ choir in full voice. Carol concert every year in St Mary’s Cathedral and an annual choral and orchestral concert in the Usher Hall.

Sport

It’s not often you walk into the sports staff common room and find it a crush. But Stewart’s Melville don’t just do sport, they live it. There are 61 coaches producing strong performances in rugby (our tour guide was about to represent the school in the Scottish school finals), hockey, swimming, basketball, football, badminton, cricket, rowing… you name it. Even the head takes a table tennis session. Dominant sport no longer rugby, now sharing this mantel with hockey – and, at the request of the pupils, football has been greatly expanded. Not all parents are happy though: ‘They’re fully geared up for rugby, but they still haven’t got it right for hockey,’ reckoned one. ’First fifteen rugby fixtures are still made more of than the hockey ones,’ said another.

This is a big school and there are training opportunities and fixtures everywhere. The main pitches are a short drive away at Inverleith, while the sports block houses a smart swimming pool, gym and Astros. Very long wall of glory featuring pupils who’ve played for Scotland: ‘We celebrate every triumph.’ Hillwalking, orienteering and canoeing the Great Glen are all handled by the school’s outdoor co-ordinator. PE and games compulsory through to sixth form.

Boarders

Boarding house is closing down.

Ethos and heritage

All three of the ESMS ‘family’ of schools are run by the ancient Merchant Company of Edinburgh, a venerable institution set up in the 16th century. So, yes, there is plenty of history and tradition to draw on, but in a city that bristles with posh schools, this must be one of the most down-to-earth and we certainly get the impression they wear the badge with pride.

The crowning glory of the campus is the magnificent Daniel Stewart’s hospital building. Designed by David Rhind, it was opened in 1855 as a hospital for poor boys and now sits at the heart of the school proudly challenging another Victorian behemoth, Fettes, across the Edinburgh skyline. The other buildings are a mish-mash of old Victorian villas and some slick modern additions where, inside, there’s a fair amount of teenage boy energy in the corridors. We could imagine the large, rather dark, dining hall being fairly overwhelming on your first day – although we did hear praise about the transition into the school, where boys get the security of remaining in the same form class for two years – the ones we saw seemed right at home even in their first term.

Mixed views on the food – with some boys feeling there could be ‘more to eat’ – but we felt there was a good selection of hearty food, with some credible healthy choices. It was incredibly busy in the dining room when we arrived, but boys say they get used to it. The ones we ate with were endearingly good company – fun without being rude, confident without being arrogant and very supportive of the school and each other. ‘It sounds a bit cheesy,’ says the head, ‘but there is a real Band of Brothers feeling in the school.’

Traditional school uniform comprises black trousers and blazers with red trim, with the option to wear Mary Erskine’s (girls’ school) uniform if desired (we didn’t see any). One boy told us earnestly that he wears his uniform ‘with a sense of pride’.

Huge amount of charitable engagement, with school having sponsored a home for orphans affected by AIDS in Malawi for 20 years, although the annual trip there is felt by parents to be ‘pretty pricey’. Lots of outreach with local community and local schools.

School does a fair bit of mixing with the girls’ school, but some parents feel there should be more shared activities, and some believe ‘they’ll merge in the end’.

Old boys include international rugby players Doddie Weir and Finlay Calder, Olympic swimmer David Wilkie, supreme court judge Lord Brailsford and racing driver Dario Franchitti.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

This is a sizeable school, which is part of an even bigger ‘family’ of schools. But although we felt a shier student might be in danger of feeling intimidated or a bit lost, none of the pupils or parents we spoke to felt this to be the case. They told us it’s a well-oiled machine, with some extremely committed and caring staff.

Starting with the middle school (S1 and S2), each class has a guidance tutor (the students are in houses), plus head of S2 and a deputy head in charge of the middle school. ‘The head of the middle school is outstanding, he really gives his all to the job,’ said a parent. In the upper school (S3-S5), students formally enter the house system, where there are six in total, mirrored at the girls’ school. Another deputy head is in charge of the upper school, supported by mental health ambassadors in 5th year who run ‘chill out’ rooms at lunchtime. In sixth form (joint co-ed), there are 20 tutors, with each student mentored by one of these academically, pastorally and through UCAS or applications to other destinations. In addition, there’s a full-time school counsellor, and all guidance staff are trained in mental health and wellbeing.

Senior prefects have set up an online drop-box where students can post their concerns confidentially. ‘Pupil voice is very important,’ says the head. ‘They were complaining about being cold so we had a couple of warm tops made up, modelled them at assembly and they voted on their favourite.’


Parents describe the school as ‘strict’. ‘The boys know their boundaries and politeness is instilled in them from nursery,’ said one. ‘They certainly crack down on bad behaviour,’ one pupil confirmed, although another felt the school could be ‘tougher on the discipline – some boys can get a bit wild in the toilets’


The school prides itself on tolerance and respect, and has a gold charter for LGBTQ+. ‘If anyone makes an offensive comment, we suspend them and they know that’, says the head. We dropped in on the gender sexuality alliance club in the midst of Christmas decorating – ‘Teachers are amazing,’ they told us, ‘totally supportive although some of the other pupils take some persuading.’

Pupils and parents

Despite being lauded as one of the city’s big rugby schools, we didn’t get the feeling of it being Testosterone Towers. The pupils we met were relaxed, engaged and respectful. Parents (many of them old boys) are mainly Edinburgh professionals – bankers, doctors, lawyers and a sprinkling of uber rich. ‘Usually two working parents with the second salary paying the fees’, says the school. Ethnic diversity ‘reasonable’, say parents – reflective of the city itself. ESMS has the biggest network of school buses in Edinburgh, with the route spreading far and wide from Bathgate to Dunfermline to North Berwick and West Linton.

Money matters

Sixty-three pupils were on bursaries of varying degrees when we visited, plus 22 with scholarships and 12 with music tuition awards.

The last word

This is a massive school – especially when you factor in the whole of ESMS - but fear not, Stew Mel is a buzzy, supremely well-run and caring place revelling in the dynamism of its first female head. Probably not for the super shy, but very down to earth, inclusive and much loved.

Special Education Needs

We offer support for learning, both in class and in small extracted groups. In the first year some pupils are given the option to do one modern language instead of two, allowing support to be delivered instead. Further up the school, some pupils will continue to follow a reduced timetable depending on their needs.