Merchiston awarded top Scottish independent school for A levels

Merchiston is pleased to be awarded The Top Scottish Independent School by A Levels, 2017, by Education Advisors Ltd.

Merchiston's 2016/17 academic results:

• 47% of pupils achieved A*/A grades at A Level.
• 82% of pupils gained places at their first or second choice university.
• 64% of pupils went to UK Russell Group Universities, Bath, St Andrews and leading international institutions.
• 92% A*/A/B pass rate in Further Mathematics at A Level.
• 14% of pupils gained places at a top 10 World University, QS World University Rankings.
• 62% of pupils achieved A*/A grades at GCSE.
• 18 pupils achieved 9 or more A*/A GCSE grades.

Andrew Hunter, Headmaster at Merchiston, commented:

“It was a delight to accept this award on behalf of Merchiston. I salute all the pupils and the staff who made receiving this award a possibility. It is very simple. It is all about the primacy of learning and teaching happening every day in the classroom and the academic work that is at the heart of the total curriculum. Although every pupil who comes to Merchiston sits an entrance test, this does not mean that we are an ultra-selective school. Entrance tests depend on how high one sets the hurdle! However, I cannot stress enough how important it is to us that our aim that our pupils achieve the highest possible academic standards, is clearly not just an aspiration but a reality. For us, it is all about outperforming outperformance.

"It is my responsibility to try to ensure that every member of staff understands the importance of ‘switching on the light bulbs’ inside the head of every pupil at Merchiston, and, of course, in time the pupils respond to ‘find that little bit extra’ and that ‘cutting edge’. As I frequently say, we are endeavouring to find that ‘hidden nugget’ of ability in each young person.

"I applaud what these guides and mentors do, in and out of the classroom, with the pupils of Merchiston. This award is for the staff and pupils of Merchiston.”

You can view their section about Best Scottish Schools by A Levels here.

For more information about Merchiston's Academic Results, please click here.