Our iconic Old College, the beating heart of Stewart’s Melville College, sits proudly in the heart of Edinburgh and is an inspiring place to learn. We offer a transformative education that equips students with the skills, confidence, and mindset they need to thrive in today’s fast-paced world.
Incredible Teachers
Our dedicated, passionate staff are some of the best in their field. They understand how to motivate and nurture our students, and their passion inspires a lifelong love of learning amongst our pupils and encourages them to explore what’s on the curriculum and beyond.
We have a traditional curriculum that provides our students with a rounded education and the core knowledge, skills, experience and vocabulary they will need to excel in life and navigate the world in which they live. A culture of innovation runs through the school, inspiring teachers and pupils to think differently and creatively.
Academically, our results are strong, with 98% of our Sixth Form students securing their firm choice of University. The courses they choose are wide ranging, including everything from Law, Medicine and Zoology to Product Design Engineering, Neuroscience and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. In addition to this, some of our students take on challenging apprenticeships across the UK, with a specific career in mind.
Nurturing the Individual
We build close relationships so that all our pupils feel nurtured and supported. We value individuality and take the time to understand how to uncover their true potential, in whatever area of school life that may be. We also have a strong and committed guidance team who help pupils find their voice and develop a true sense of identity.
We are proud of our drive to champion diversity and ensure everyone is recognised and included in school life. We stay ahead of the issues our students face and involve them in the support we provide. Guidance leaders are promoted members of staff who know the pupils as individuals and work closely as a group and with parents to ensure their wellbeing, ensuring our School is a kind, supportive and happy place to be.
Extraordinary Opportunities
Extra-curricular activities are the norm for our students. Our culture encourages students to have a go at every aspect of school life, challenging them and helping them to discover what they are capable of. From an eight-day, unplugged adventure in the Scottish Highlands, to our links with the charity Open Arms Malawi and representing the UK in the European Youth Parliament, the breadth of what we offer is vast and exciting.
With over 90 sports teams and clubs, there is something for everyone and the culture of the school ensures that they don’t limit themselves to the ones that play to their natural talents. These clubs run alongside the more traditional options such as CCF, Youth Philanthropy Initiative and the Duke of Edinburgh. Our Outdoor Learning programme inspires a sense of adventure in our students, and provides them with key problem-solving skills, along with emotional and creative intelligence, which they take with them long after their school career has finished.
Life After School
We make sure our students leave school as confident, ambitious, and kind individuals, keen to make a positive impact on the world around them.
We are a close-knit community and our students at Stewart’s Melville College forge friendships that last a lifetime. Our strong links with The Mary Erskine School ensures our boys share a range of activities with our girls’ school including orchestras, trips and performing arts. The strong bonds they form prepare them for a joint Sixth Form education and the world beyond.
Our teachers’ support for their pupils also goes on long after they’ve left, and we love welcoming our Former Pupils back to hear all about their adventures and the extraordinary things they have gone on to achieve.