Ages 
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.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 787 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 123 ·
- Religion
- Non-denom
- Fees
- £19,478 pa
- Local authority
- The City of Edinburgh Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Head
Mrs Frances McCrudden
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
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.
- Open days
- September
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, St Andrews, Aberdeen and Durham most popular. Occasional sport scholarships to the US. Seven medics and
Latest results
In 2024, 91 per cent A/B at National 5; 83 per cent A/B at Higher; 76 per cent A-B at Advanced Higher.
Teaching & 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
Learning support & 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,
Arts & 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
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
Boarders
The boarding house closed in July 2024 so the school no longer has any boarders.
Ethos & 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
Pastoral care, inclusivity & 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
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 Phones must not be visible on campus from 8:25 am. S1-S5 students may carry phones, switched off, in their blazers, but are encouraged to store them in their lockers. Sixth form students can use phones in common and study rooms only. Unauthorized phone use in class or on school grounds also results in detention. Recording with a mobile device leads to suspension and phone confiscation. Exceptions are made with permission from teachers, and in an emergency.
Pupils & 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 –
Money matters
Sixty-three pupils were on bursaries of varying degrees when we visited, plus 22 with scholarships and 12 with music tuition awards.
- Fee information
- £19,478 pa
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
