Ages 
Undoubtedly a big school but its sheer size provides tremendous benefits. Parents on the whole praise the staff for being very knowledgeable and for the focus on academic rigour, plus there's an immense array of extracurricular activities and sporting successes. An impressive school with terrific results which, along with Stewart's Melville, offers families the benefits of both single-sex and co-ed education for their sons and daughters.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 757 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 127 ·
- Religion
- Non-denom
- Fees
- £19,478 pa
- Local authority
- The City of Edinburgh Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Head
Kirsty Nicholson
Since 2018, Mrs Kirsty Nicholson. Geography degree from Edinburgh followed by teacher training at Jordanhill College in Glasgow. Taught in London state schools for a few years before moving back to Edinburgh. Has taught geography at ESMS ever since –
Entrance
At age 11, 12, 13, fifth year and sixth form. Slightly selective with assessments in English, maths and verbal reasoning. Automatic entrance from junior school. Numbers are up.
Students entering the ESMS sixth form are expected to take a minimum
- Open days
- September
Exit
Minimal leakage pre-Highers, with most going on to university. The majority head to Scottish universities but a good number go to English universities. St Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Durham popular in 2024, with 11 medics and one vet. Some
Latest results
In 2024, 94 per cent A-B at National 5; 91 per cent A-B at Higher; 78 per cent A-B at Advanced Higher.
Teaching & learning
ESMS follows the diamond model of education so the boys and girls are educated together at the junior school, separately in the senior school from 12 to 17 and back to a co-ed set up in S6. This is based on the school’s principle ‘that boys and girls
Learning support & SEN
Strong learning support both in and out of the classroom. Numbers are below national average 'because it’s a selective school', we were told. A small number take National 4s instead of National 5s and drop a language for learning support, depending
Arts & extracurricular
Staggering variety of clubs and societies from Warhammer club to music tech and board games club, all with specialist teachers. ‘My daughter does a lot – nine clubs from different sports to lunchtime crafting!’ We dropped in on decoupage club where
Sport
Sport is a big deal here with successes in local, national and international arenas. Biggest among the girls is undoubtedly hockey, as U18 winners of the Scottish Schools' Bowl competition, the East District Knockout Cup and the Caritas tournament.
Boarders
The boarding house closed in July 2024 so the school no longer has any boarders.
Ethos & heritage
Mary Erskine was founded in 1694 as the Merchant Maiden Hospital, moving to its present site in Ravelston in 1966, changing its name to the Mary Erskine School and amalgamating with the boys’ school (Stewart’s Melville College) in 1972. Most of the
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
School is divided into six houses, which pupils stay in from S1 to S6. Each has a head of house and an assistant head. These houses are common to both Stewart’s Melville and Mary Erskine, so the various inter-house competitions have mixed teams. From
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
We spoke to a real mixture of parents - first-time buyers, medical professionals and children of former pupils, among others. Attracting over a third of Edinburgh’s independent secondary pupils, the school is less elitist than some of its neighbours.
Money matters
Bursaries of up to 100 per cent and scholarships throughout. Those doing well in the entrance exam are invited to sit a scholarship exam. Music scholarships (together with free music tuition) are also available.
- Fee information
- £19,478 pa
The last word
Undoubtedly a big school but its sheer size provides tremendous benefits. Parents on the whole praise the staff for being very knowledgeable and for the focus on academic rigour, plus there's an immense array of extracurricular activities and
