ESMS School

A unique family of independent schools for boys and girls. Welcome to the ESMS family of independent schools for children aged 3-18 in Edinburgh. Together our schools have been turning out world-class boys and girls for over 150 years. We offer a co-educational Junior School, single-sex but closely twinned secondary education for boys and girls and a co-educational Sixth Form. ESMS also offer flexible Boarding options from age 10 in Dean Park Boarding House.

Find out more about our history below, as well as information on staff vacancies, our contact details and our term dates.

The story of ESMS is in fact the history of three separate institutions. In 1694, the Scottish businesswoman and philanthropist Mary Erskine founded the girls' school that would bear her name. Melville College was founded in 1832 and Daniel Stewart's College in 1855. The three institutions formally united in the 1970s and by the turn of the 21st century they had developed into the largest family of independent schools in Europe.

Find out more about our schools’ unique histories by viewing our History Timeline below or browsing our Digital Archives.

ESMS is a unique family of independent schools for boys and girls in Edinburgh offering Nursery, Primary and Secondary education. Children are taught together from Nursery to Primary 7 after which they then enjoy the benefits of single-sex but very closely twinned senior education before joining together again in a co-educational Sixth Form.

At the ESMS family of schools we pride ourselves on our holistic approach to education which means that we place as much emphasis on opportunities and activities outside of the classroom as we do on what happens in class. We offer over 300 clubs and societies as well as wide-ranging opportunities in sport, music and drama, outdoor education, trips and community involvement, all with the intention of helping your child discover their talents, learn or explore something new, have fun and make new friends.

Vision

Our Vision is to be a pioneer of rounded education in Edinburgh, giving every child the opportunity to excel.

Mission

Our Mission is to develop grounded, resilient, accomplished children, with strong values who go out into the world equipped with everything they need to lead full and happy lives.

Aims

• We offer an outstanding, well-rounded education, to a diverse group of children
• We take time to build strong relationships and to help our children feel happy, safe and secure so that they thrive emotionally and socially and academically
• We provide an unrivalled range of activities outside the classroom, enabling our children to discover and develop their natural talents
• We inspire children to aim high and achieve strong academic results
• We give children every opportunity to seize and embrace every challenge that life throws at them
• Our teachers inspire innovative thinkers with a love of learning that will last a lifetime
• Our children develop the confidence to use their voices
• Our nine values embed character, inspiring children to develop good hearts, make good decisions and improve the world around them.