Find out about applications, assessments and entrance requirements at ESMS
At ESMS, the Admissions process is different for nursery, primary and secondary entry. Find out more about the Admissions process below including information on entrance requirements and assessments.
The vast majority of children in our nursery move on into Primary 1 without the need for assessment, however, entry is not automatic. For a very small number of children our school may not be the best formal learning environment for their needs and so, in consultation with parents, we would explore other schools.
Fewer than 20 places are available to new children in P1, so acceptance of a place offered in Nursery is strongly advised.
When to apply
It is never too early to apply for a place in our Nursery. Many parents do so as soon as their baby is born. Places are offered by date of application, although we do give some priority to siblings and the need to ensure a balance of boys and girls. If we are unable to offer you a place - due to the high number of applications - we automatically 'roll-over' the application to the following year.
If you would like to speak to our Admissions Manager about your application, please contact Hannah Ireland by email ([email protected]), or via the Junior School Reception (+44(0)131 311 1115), who will be happy to provide up to date advice
There are always a number of places available for entry to each year-group from Primary 1 to 7, the main entry points being at Primary 1 (15 to 20 spaces) and Primary 6 (about 50 spaces). Assessments take place throughout the session but, as all places in particular year groups are often allocated by January, early application is strongly advised. However, there can be late vacancies and so it is always worth getting in touch with our Admissions Manager, Hannah Ireland by email ([email protected]), or via the Junior School Reception (+44(0)131 311 1115), who will be happy to provide up to date advice.
We are very pleased to assess children for entry to ESMS Junior School at any stage from Nursery to Primary 7 and there are excellent reasons for joining the school as early as possible. However, we do recommend that parents whose main aim is to ensure that their children obtain places towards the top of the Junior School prior to moving to S1 apply for entry to Primary 6 rather than Primary 7. We have approximately 50 spaces available for Primary 6 entry but only between 5 and 10 in Primary 7 which inevitably means disappointment for a large number of families.
Settling in and building friendships
We believe Primary 6 is an ideal time to join ESMS Junior School for both social and educational reasons as this ensures that new children have two years to become familiar with life in our school before moving confidently into their respective senior schools at the end of Primary 7. We form new classes at the start of Primary 6 by mixing up our own Primary 5 children and adding new ones which means that new boys and girls find it particularly easy to settle in. They then spend two years in the Junior School building friendships with boys and girls with whom they will collaborate in orchestras, choirs, sport, drama performances, outdoor education, language exchanges and social events throughout their senior school years.
Making sure the children are prepared
Meanwhile our teachers have two years to ensure that all the children who join at the start of Primary 6 are well prepared in terms of their learning and that they understand and are comfortable with our expectations before they leave Primary 7. This often includes filling in any gaps in new children's learning which we identify during their entrance assessments in Mathematics and Language so that we, as well as the children and their parents, can be confident that their basic understanding of all areas of Language and Mathematics is as secure as possible at the point of transition.
Entrance assessments can be arranged at any time during the school year and, for overseas applicants or those some distance from Edinburgh, we will send out entrance papers to be administered in the applicant's current school.
Assessment
Entrance assessments are usually held in January for entry that year. The entrance assessment for S1 will be held on Thursday 9th January and will include papers in Mathematics, English and Verbal Reasoning. For overseas applicants or those some distance from Edinburgh, we are able to send out entrance papers to be administered in the applicant's current school.
When to apply
It is helpful if applications are submitted by end of December before the proposed year of entry, but please get in touch at any time to discuss further.
Missed this year's Assessment Day?
We are happy to receive applications at any time following Assessment Day and we will always do our best to offer places if they are available.
Offers
We make offers to children assessed in January on the offer date agreed with other Edinburgh Independent schools. This is usually in mid-February.
Assessment
Assessments for pupils entering S2 and S3 include papers in English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning. We will also seek references/reports from your child's current school.
When to apply
We are happy to receive applications at any time during the year prior to proposed entry. However, we would encourage you to apply early in the session prior to the proposed year of entry. Please contact the admissions department for details of available places.
Entrance to S4 is possible only in exceptional circumstances: this is the second year of the two year National 5 qualification and a change of school between S3 and S4 is rarely advisable. However, if there are reasons which necessitate a change of schools, we would consider these on an individual basis.
Entrance criteria
There is no formal assessment for entrance to S5 at Stewart's Melville College or The Mary Erskine School, but an offer is subject to references/reports from your child's current school and predicted examination results. Your child should also have strong passes at National 5 or GCSE equivalent in the subjects they are planning to study in S5.
When to apply
We are happy to receive applications at any time during the year prior to proposed entry.
Entrance criteria
Students entering the ESMS Sixth Form will be expected to take a minimum of three courses, at Higher or Advanced Higher.
Applications to the Sixth Form are handled on an individual basis. We will seek references and reports from your son or daughter's current school, and invite students for an interview with the Director of Sixth Form.
When to apply
We are happy to receive applications at any time during the year prior to proposed entry.
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