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Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh

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Merchiston Castle School details

Address:
Merchiston Castle School
294 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH13 0PU
Telephone:
0131 312 2200
Fax:
0131 441 6060
Email:
admissions@merchiston.co.uk
Website:
www.merchiston.co.uk
Authority:
Edinburgh
Admissions:
Selective
Gender of entry:
Boys
Age range:
8-18
Number of students:
427
Affiliation:
HMC
Gender of sixth form:
Boys

Find a school:

ISC accredited

General information

Headteacher: Andrew Hunter, appointed in 1998.

Staff: 61 (men 48, women 13).

Background: The only remaining all-boys day and boarding school in Scotland, Merchiston?s enrolment is currently the largest in its 170-year history. Impressive new facilities include a library, a computing and technology department and a music school. A new sixth-form boarding house is due for completion in 2006. The school prides itself on its strong Scottish tradition and character and offers courses in Highers as well as A-level and GCSE examininations. More than 40% of A-levels this year were awarded an A grade and nearly 50% at AS-level while a quarter of GCSEs were awarded the A* grade. A teacher to pupil ratio of roughly one to seven means class sizes are small. Boys did well in this year?s international Olympiads in maths, chemistry and physics and the school earned an award for creative excellence from the Royal Academy of Engineering Education. Music and drama flourish. Boys have played in the Scottish national youth orchestra and excelled in poetry competitions, jazz and debating reaching the semi-finals of the University of Edinburgh schools championships earlier this year. Sports are another strength. The school has enjoyed success in fencing, cricket, golf, basketball, rugby, sailing and tennis. The Duke of Edinburgh award scheme has been reintroduced recently and outdoor camps in the Scottish Highlands are a feature of the summer and autumn terms.

Alumni: Sir Peter Burt, chairman of ITV; Robert Baird, rugby player; Duncan Hodge, rugby player; .

Higher education: 92%.

Boys' age range: 8 to 18.

Percentage admitted according to academic ability: 100%.

Average class size (seniors; 11-16): 16.

Average class size (sixth form): 9.

Gifted pupils: 68.

Bursary pupils: 22.

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