Schools group Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools (ESMS) is to merge ESMS Nursery and Junior School, The Mary Erskine School and Stewart’s Melville College in August 2026, creating a fully co-educational school for three to 18-year-olds, named Erskine Stewart Melville.

ESMS said the decision to merge the Edinburgh schools was driven by three objectives: “to enhance the educational opportunities we offer our students, to establish a more inclusive community that reflects the modern world and to create a more financially efficient structure that is fit for the future. Our priority is and always will be our students and the fantastic experiences they gain through an education at our school”.

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.

“The diamond structure has served our students well since it was introduced 25 years ago but we have never been a school that stood still and now it is time to look to the future. The new model will significantly enhance the education we offer our students, with a broader curriculum, an enhanced wellbeing programme and even more opportunities for personal development.”