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Photo of ESMS Junior School
Reviewed

ESMS Junior School

Independent school · Edinburgh, EH4 3EQ
  • Primary/prep
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 3-11
  • From £12,962 pa
  • 1,118 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

On paper this looks like a behemoth of a school, but it’s beautifully managed by an impressive leadership team working hard to deliver the best of educations. Exceptionally caring too, say parents, though probably not best suited to the very shy or the very quirky.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
1,118 ·
Religion
Non-denom
Fees
Day £12,962 - £15,270 pa
Local authority
The City of Edinburgh Council
Linked schools

Headteacher

Headmaster

Mike Kane

Since 2016, Mike Kane MA (English lit, Aberdeen) PGDE. Hails from Belfast and taught in Aberdeen and Elgin before becoming an English teacher at Stewart’s Melville College. Worked his way up to head of upper school before taking the helm at the


Entrance

Waiting list for nursery, which is in partnership with the local authority. Nearly all (99 per cent in 2023) move up to the junior school. No need to assess them into P1, says school, ‘as we watch them every day’. Otherwise it’s a ‘gentle’ assessment

Open days
September

Exit

Vast majority (over 95 per cent) go on to the senior school, for which there is no formal assessment. School prefers not to say where the rest go.


Latest results

There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.


Mobile phone policy

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Mobile phones are not encouraged in ESMS Junior School, but we recognize some children may need them after school. Phones and internet-enabled devices must be off and hidden on school grounds, except at Bus Club with staff permission. Phones must be given to class teachers at the start of the day. Children can ask their teacher to use their phone during the day and must return it afterward. Unauthorized phone use will result in a Behaviour Support slip. Forgetting to hand in a phone will lead to a verbal warning and repeated incidents will incur stricter penalties.

Updated Jul 2024

Pupils

1,118
Number of pupils

Money matters

No bursaries available for junior school.

Fee information
Day £12,962 - £15,270 pa

Our view

It’s taken 300 years for ESMS to become the ‘family’ of schools it is today. With its roots in the educational philanthropy of the 17th century, today’s junior school is the result of a merger in 1978 of Mary Erskine’s girls’ junior school and


The last word

On paper this looks like a behemoth of a school, but it’s beautifully managed by an impressive leadership team working hard to deliver the best of educations. Exceptionally caring too, say parents, though probably not best suited to the very shy or


Inspection reports

What the school says

At ESMS Nursery and Junior School, learning is an adventure. We are a private nursery and primary school for children aged 3-11, set in beautiful grounds in the heart of Edinburgh. We believe in the power of curiosity to spark imagination and our dedicated teachers inspire children to discover their interests, dream big and exceed their own expectations. From the moment they walk in the door we build their confidence and nurture the skills and mindset they need to thrive. From August 2026 we will become one co-educational school for 3–18-year-olds, called Erskine Stewart Melville.

Contact the school

Address

11 Queensferry Road
Edinburgh
EH4 3EQ
Get directions

Have you considered?

Reviewed

Fettes College

Independent school · Edinburgh, EH4 1QX ( miles)
  • All through
  • Co-ed
  • 7-18
  • From £23,850 pa
  • 751 pupils
  • Boarding
Photo of Fettes College
School data & information ESMS Junior School 11 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3EQ
1,118 Pupil numbers
607/508 Pupil numbers boy/girls split

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Mobile phones are not encouraged in ESMS Junior School, but we recognize some children may need them after school. Phones and internet-enabled devices must be off and hidden on school grounds, except at Bus Club with staff permission. Phones must be given to class teachers at the start of the day. Children can ask their teacher to use their phone during the day and must return it afterward. Unauthorized phone use will result in a Behaviour Support slip. Forgetting to hand in a phone will lead to a verbal warning and repeated incidents will incur stricter penalties.

Updated Jul 2024

We do not receive results data for this school. Find out more.

Entry and exit data

We do not have entry or exit data for pupils at this school. Find out more


SEN overview

ESMS Junior School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

We offer Support for Learning.

09-09

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment Yes
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs Yes
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing Yes
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes Yes
PD - Physical Disability Yes
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay Yes
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health Yes
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism Yes
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs Yes
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired
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