Two single sex schools to merge into Erskine Stewart Melville private school in Edinburgh

Two single sex schools in Edinburgh are to merge into one private school as of 2026.

The Mary Erskine School for girls and Stewart’s Melville College for boys will unite in August 2026, creating a co-educational school named Erskine Stewart Melville.

The private education school for pupils aged three to 18 will be based at Queensferry Road, while Erskine Stewart Melville Nursery and Junior School will be based in Ravelston.

The school said its new name honours the original founders and a new logo will pay tribute to both schools.

The diamond structure, whereby both single-sex and coeducational teaching occurs in the same organisation, was introduced in the schools 25 years ago but the institution’s principal claims the new model will “create a more inclusive environment” for pupils.

The junior schools are already co-educational.

Anthony Simpson, principal of Erskine Stewart Melville, said: “This is an exciting new chapter for the school.

“As we look to the future, this new simplified structure will enable us to broaden the curriculum and create a more inclusive environment that reflects the modern world.

“Our current schools are fantastic, inspiring excellent exam results every year and offering an extensive range of co-curricular activities.

“As we move to a fully co-educational model, our primary focus will remain unchanged – to provide a world class education that will give our students the skills and mindset they need to thrive.”