Stewart's Melville College

Stewart's Melville College
Address
Map
Queensferry Road

Edinburgh
,
EH4 3EZ

Scotland
Coordinates55°57′13.58″N 3°13′35.5″W / 55.9537722°N 3.226528°W / 55.9537722; -3.226528
Information
TypePrivate day and boarding school
MottoNever unprepared[1]
Established1832; 192 years ago (1832) (Melville College)
1855; 169 years ago (1855) (Daniel Stewart's College)
1972; 52 years ago (1972) (merger)
PrincipalAnthony Simpson
GenderMale
Age11 to 18
Enrolment756[2] (2015)
Colour(s)     
Red, black, and gold
School fees
  • Day: from £9000 for nursery to £15,423[3] for senior school;
  • Boarding: £24,291–29,162 per annum (2015)[2]
Junior school1254 students (2015)[2]
Websitewww.esms.org.uk

Stewart's Melville College (SMC) is a private day and boarding school in Edinburgh, Scotland. Classes are all boys in the 1st to 5th years and co-educational in Sixth (final) year. It has a roll of about 750 pupils.[2][4]

Daniel Stewart's College was designed by the architect David Rhind and opened as Daniel Stewart's Hospital in 1848, renamed to Daniel Stewart's College in 1870, and placed under the perpetual management of the Royal Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh.[5] Melville College was known as the Edinburgh Institution for Languages and Mathematics from 1832 to 1936. In 1972, the two colleges merged to become Stewart's Melville College.

The school is twinned with the Mary Erskine School (MES), an all-girls independent school approximately one mile (1.6 km) from Stewart's Melville College. Together the combined Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools (ESMS) have a co-educational Sixth Year and Junior School, the latter of which is split between the two campuses and caters for pupils from 3 to 12 years old. The two schools share a Principal, and most extra-curricular activities, such as performing arts, are run jointly. Both SMC and MES are managed by the Merchant Company of Edinburgh, which is also responsible for the co-educational George Watson's College.

History

[edit]
Front of David Rhind's building of 1855 for Daniel Stewart's Hospital

Stewart's Melville College originated from the merger of two schools — Daniel Stewart's College and Melville College — in 1972 to become Daniel Stewart's and Melville College. After the merger Melville's bright red trim replaced the dark red trim on the black Daniel Stewart's blazer for general use and the red blazer of Melville College was adopted for those awarded colours (for sporting and other achievements);[6] recently use of the red blazer was limited to the head boy and his deputies, with colours being signified with a particular tie.

Melville College was founded in 1832 by the Rev. Robert Cunningham[7][8] in George Street but soon moved to Hill Street in the centre of Edinburgh[9] with a teaching emphasis on modern subjects, such as science, rather than classical subjects – unusual at that time.[10] The school moved a short distance to 8 Queen Street which was purchased in 1853[9] and then to Melville Street in the city's West End in 1920.[11] Originally named "The Edinburgh Institution for Languages and Mathematics", its name changed to Melville College in 1936[10] about the same time as the caps and blazers of the boys were changed to bright red.[6]

Library of Stewart's Melville College

Daniel Stewart's Hospital was opened in 1855 by the Merchant Company of Edinburgh. Daniel Stewart (whose wealth came from India and was Macer to the Court of the Exchequer), upon his death in 1814, left a sum of money and instructions that, once it had reached £40,000 it should be used to create a hospital for needy boys within the city.[12] The hospital was located on the current Queensferry Road campus (designed by David Rhind).[12] The hospital was transformed into "Daniel Stewart's College" in 1870. The school uniform from 1924 onwards was a cap with red and black stripes and a black blazer with red trim.[6]

In 1974, the link with another nearby Merchant Company school, the all-girls Mary Erskine School, was formalised and The Mary Erskine and Stewart's Melville Junior School was formed. Nursery to Primary 3 are housed on the Mary Erskine campus, with Primary 4 to 7 on the Stewart's Melville campus. The sixth (final) form of both senior schools is coeducational.[13]

In 2013, Stewart's Melville was voted the Scottish Independent School of the year by the Sunday Times newspaper[14][15] and Mary Erskine School was voted the Scottish Independent School of the year in 2012.[16] In 2014 the combined Erskine Stewarts Melville school, with over 2,700 pupils,[17] claimed to be the largest independent school in Europe.[18]

In 2014, a programme of improvement work on buildings of the junior school was announced,[19] and as of 2018, work has begun.

In February 2023, it was announced by principal Anthony Simpson that the boarding house would close by July 2025, citing costs and the facility not being compatible with the school's vision for the future. The allocation of resources towards the boarding house was not sustainable, as at the time of the announcement, there were only 19 boarders, accounting for less than 3% of all pupils at the school.

It was announced in October 2024 that Stewarts Melville will undergo a merger with its sister school, Mary Erskine, in the beginning of the 2026/2027 academic year.[20] The school stated that it would create a more inclusive community and it would also be more financially efficient.

Sport

[edit]

Stewart's Melville College has won the Scottish Rugby Schools Under 18 Cup five times: in 1999 (in their first year of entering), 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2019.[21] Stewart's Melville RFC, the successor to the Former Pupils Rugby club, play in the Scottish League Championship.[22]

"Ravelston Sports Club", a large on-site sports centre opened in 2000. The sports centre is mainly used by pupils for physical education lessons and sports training (such as swimming, basketball, badminton, short tennis and table tennis) but is also open to members of the public for a monthly membership fee.[23] There is also a school shooting range located at the Ravelston campus.[24] Extensive rugby, cricket, hockey pitches and athletics facilities are also located at the school's sports grounds in Inverleith, two miles north of the school. The main stadium at Inverleith dates back to the 1890s and was the main ground of the Scotland national rugby union team until 1925.[25][26]

In 2019 Stewart's Melville College won the Mitsubishi U18 cup – played at Murrayfield Stadium – against local rivals George Watson's College.[27]

Tom Fleming Centre for Performing Arts (Formerly "Performing Arts Centre")

[edit]
Tom Fleming Centre for Performing Arts in 2015

The school's main Victorian assembly hall was converted to the "Performing Arts Centre" between 2005 and 2007. This £3.5 million project,[28] was paid for in part by donations from the parents of the schools current pupils and former pupils (some of the chairs have names in gold of people who have donated). The centre has 800 seats that fold back into the wall, providing a variety of possible configurations and was officially opened in 2007. It is also available for use by the public and is used as a venue for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.[29]

In 2011, actor John Cairney unveiled the new name for the centre, "Tom Fleming Centre for Performing Arts", named after former pupil Tom Fleming, one of Scotland's leading broadcasters.[30]

Carbisdale Castle

[edit]

Since 1965, the school organised an outdoor education programme for the boys of SMC and the girls from MES in the third year. It took place in the north of Scotland, based for over forty years at Carbisdale Castle Youth Hostel, Easter Ross, until its closure in 2011 required accommodation to relocate to Aviemore.[31] The camp was also abandoned in 2020 and 2021, due to coronavirus restrictions. It returned in 2022; however later in 2022, Carbisdale Castle was sold and is now a private residence.

Examinations

[edit]

Pupils at Stewart's Melville mainly sit Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) examinations, including (as of 2013) National 4, National 5, Higher Grade and Advanced Higher Grade levels. The English GCE Advanced Level, examinations can also be sat in art and music. Almost all pupils go on to higher education.[32]

Former Headmasters

[edit]
  • Herbert James Liddle Robbie (1904–1964) headmaster of Daniel Stewart's from 1946 to 1964

Notable alumni

[edit]
See also: Category:People educated at Stewart's Melville College

The school maintains a Former Pupils Club, which organises social events throughout the year. There are branches throughout the UK and abroad.

War Memorial in the college grounds

Academia and science

Media and arts

Law and politics

Sports

Military

Religion

Other

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Top private school expels four teenage boys caught with cannabis". The Scotsman. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Miller, Nikki (Editor) (2014) "School Guide Edinburgh & The Lothians, 2015 Annual Issue", Select Publishing Ltd.
  3. ^ ESMS
  4. ^ "SCIS – Stewart's Melville College". 2010. Archived from the original on 22 November 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  5. ^ "Our Schools".
  6. ^ a b c Roberts (2009, p. 55)
  7. ^ Roberts (2009, p. 92)
  8. ^ Tobin, Patrick (December 2015). "The Rev. Robert Cunningham, Founder of the Edinburgh Institution (later Melville College)". Daniel Stewarts and Melville College Former Pupils Club – FP News 2015. p. 12. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  9. ^ a b Sutherland (2003, p. 2)
  10. ^ a b Roberts (2009, p. 39)
  11. ^ Sutherland (2003, p. 4)
  12. ^ a b Roberts (2009, p. 42)
  13. ^ "Structure of the Schools". Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  14. ^ Macaskill, Mark (17 November 2013) Giffnock school is top of the class The Sunday Times (requires subscription), Retrieved 8 March 2014
  15. ^ Leonard, Sue (2013) Success is Catching in and out of the Classroom The Sunday Times, Retrieved 8 March 2014
  16. ^ Allardyce, Jason (17 November 2012) Mary Erskine and Boroughmuir top our schools guide The Sunday Times (requires subscription), Retrieved 8 March 2014
  17. ^ (2014) Erskine Stewarts Melville Schools Scotland's Boarding Schools, Scottish Council of Independent Schools, Retrieved 8 March 2014
  18. ^ (2014) Erskine Stewart's Melville School Archived 8 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine The Tatler Schools Guide 2014, retrieved 8 March 2014
  19. ^ Holden, John-Paul (17 April 2014). "Erskine Stewart's Melville to revamp classrooms". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  20. ^ "Two private schools to merge and scrap single-sex rule". BBC News. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  21. ^ "Stewart's Melville – School Team of the Month". Rugby World. Time Inc (UK) Ltd. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  22. ^ "Club History". Stewart's Melville R. F. C. website. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  23. ^ "ESMS Sports Centre – Ravelston Sports Club". ESMS. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  24. ^ "Stewart's Melville College – Appointment of Teacher of Physical Education" (PDF). Stewart's Melville College. Erskine Stewart's Melville Governing Council. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  25. ^ Stewart's Melville | Inverleith Sports Field, Tim's 92
  26. ^ "Scotland | Inverleith: the first purpose-built international rugby ground". Rugbyfootballhistory.com. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  27. ^ Barnes, David (4 December 2019). "Schools U18 Cup Final: Stewart's Melville power past George Watson's". The Offside Line. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  28. ^ "Performing Arts Centre".
  29. ^ "Shows at Performing Arts Centre Stewart's Melville College". Broadway Baby. 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  30. ^ "Distinguished Former Pupils" (PDF). Stewart's Melville College Former Pupils Club. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  31. ^ Roberts (2009, p. 161)
  32. ^ "Academic Results & Leavers' Destinations". 2008–2009. Archived from the original on 6 March 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  33. ^ Macpherson, Hector (July 1954) Thomas David Anderson, "Watcher of the Skies" Publications of the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh No. 2, Retrieved 28 September 2014
  34. ^ Williamson, HGm (8 November 2006) James Barr, Radical academic whose incisive critiques challenged the orthodoxies of biblical theology The Guardian, Retrieved 23 September 2014
  35. ^ Elizabeth Baigent (2004). "Herbertson, Andrew John (1865–1915), geographer". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/40187. ISBN 9780198614128. Retrieved 29 July 2015. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  36. ^ "Sir Peter Redford Scott Lang (Obituary)". The Scotsman. Edinburgh, Scotland. 7 July 1926. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  37. ^ "Biological Sciences – Alumni – George McGavin". The University of Edinburgh. 13 August 2015.
  38. ^ John Smith Archived 25 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine The Royal College of Surgeons, Retrieved 3 October 2014
  39. ^ Bodkin, Henry (16 October 2016). "Another British scientist wins Nobel prize – but why do they all work in America?". The Telegraph. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  40. ^ "Prof. Sir Fraser Stoddart". World Cultural Council. 24 November 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  41. ^ (27 November 2013) Thomson-Walker, Sir John William (1871–1937) The Royal College of Surgeons, Retrieved 30 September 2014
  42. ^ a b The Herald (28 February 2008). "How charitable status boosted income of private schools". Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  43. ^ a b "Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: Drugs shame of four boys thrown out of top school". Daily Express. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  44. ^ "sirrussellflint.net – Sir William Russell Flint Biography". Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  45. ^ "Edinphoto – Daniel Stewart's College". 16 August 2009. Archived from the original on 1 November 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  46. ^ "BBC Press Office – Kheredine Idessane Biography". August 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  47. ^ Smith, Aidan (29 February 2008). "Natural born thriller: Philip Kerr interview". The Scotsman. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  48. ^ "Painted into a corner FACE TO FACE: Sandy Moffat As he prepares to retire after 25 years at Glasgow School of Art, Sandy Moffat explains why he believes art education is being stifled by the pressures of bureaucracy". HeraldScotland. 7 February 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  49. ^ Waterson, C.D. and Shearer, A Macmillan (July 2006) Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002 Published by The Royal Society of Edinburgh, ISBN 0 902 198 84 X
  50. ^ a b The Scotsman (11 September 2010). "Top private school expels four teenage boys caught with cannabis". Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  51. ^ "David Florence – Education". Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  52. ^ "International Ski Federation (FIS) Biography – Finlay Mickel". Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  53. ^ Davidson, Jack (1 February 2020). "Obituary: Grant Weatherstone, rugby international who was capped 16 times for Scotland". The Scotsman. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  54. ^ "Rugby in Asia – Doddie Weir". Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  55. ^ "World Athletics Championships: Britain's Jake Wightman wins 1500m gold". BBC Sport. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  56. ^ (31 July 2012) Coaches; David Wilkie MBE "Coached off the Coach", STV (Scottish Television), Retrieved 27 April 2013
  57. ^ "Deaths in the Services: Sir Robert Neil Campbell" in British Medical Journal, Vol. for 1928, p. 474
  58. ^ (2014) The Right Reverend James A. Whyte MA LLD Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, Retrieved 23 September 2014
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