SECONDARY NEWS Two leading Scottish schools set to merge
Two of Edinburgh’s leading single-sex secondary schools are to merge into one fully co-educational school.
Stewart’s Melville College and The Mary Erskine School will become a single, co-educational school from the start of the 2026- 2027 academic year. The new school, which includes the ESMS Junior School, will collectively be named Erskine Stewart Melville and provide education for pupils aged 3-18.
Both schools already operate in part as a co-educational (diamond) model, with the junior school and sixth forms delivering the curriculum in this way. Once the transition takes place, all parts will become a simplified, single structure, operating as one school throughout every year group.
Anthony Simpson, Principal of Erskine Stewart Melville, said: “This new simplified structure will enable us to broaden the curriculum and create a more inclusive environment that reflects the modern world.” The decision by the school followed a comprehensive review of its operations, including a thorough assessment of the curriculum, co-curricular opportunities, wellbeing provision and operational efficiency.
Erskine Stewart Melville Senior School will be located at the current Stewart’s Melville site on Queensferry Road, whilst Erskine Stewart Melville Junior School will be on the Ravelston site. When the new School opens its doors, it will leave just three single-sex schools in
NHSG pupils win ‘Step into the NHS’ competition
The national ‘Step into the NHS’ secondary school competition prize has been awarded to three pupils from Newcastle High School for Girls’ (NHSG) in recognition of their innovative approach to promoting careers in healthcare.
The winning entry, which was submitted by Year 9 pupils Hannah, Millie and Lily, was selected from 1,483 entries by 2455 students from 145 different schools.
The three girls created an innovative information vending machine dispensing facts and figures, as well as a short film, to raise awareness of the benefits of working as a ‘dramatherapist’ within the NHS. They were presented with the award by Annie Laverty, Director of Patient and Staff Experience at Newcastle Hospitals.
The ‘Step into the NHS’ secondary school competition launches at the start of each school year and an overall national winner is selected from a number of regional winners. It has been designed to highlight the 350 different career pathways on offer within the NHS.
Annie Laverty said: “To have the winning proposal out of 1483 entries is very special indeed – I’m sure the school is deeply proud.
“A big thank you, too, from all of us in the NHS, for helping to create awareness of the huge variety of NHS careers that are available to young people after leaving school.”
Kirsty Ridley, Head of Careers at NHSG, said: “Understanding the many varied and specialist roles out there is so important to pupils as they develop their skills and prepare themselves for the world of work, so taking part in this competition has been hugely beneficial not only to our winners, but to every pupil who meticulously researched, planned and delivered their thoughtful entries based on a diverse range of healthcare careers.”
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www.education-today.co.uk
BASE launches new geography resource
The British Army’s free platform, British Army Supporting Education (BASE), has launched an innovative free geography resource ‘Applying Geographic Skills’, designed to immerse secondary school students into the role of an Army Geographic Technician.
The resource showcases the diverse skills involved in a day in the life of the British Army and provides teachers with an exciting way to teach geography that captivates students.
It provides an in-depth look into the diverse roles within the British Army that utilise geographic skills, from logistics to strategic planning, broadening students’ understanding of how geography is applied in different careers.
By presenting geography in the context of real-world Army scenarios, the resource offers teachers an exciting way to make geography lessons captivating and relevant for students aged 11-16.
It also addresses a critical need in the education sector. A recent study by the Geographical Association (2024) reveals that 70% of UK teachers need more accessible and high-quality resources to effectively deliver the geography curriculum. Furthermore, 48% of teachers report their workload as unmanageable most or all of the time, underscoring the necessity for additional support and innovative teaching materials in geography education.
The new resource introduces students to essential geographic skills in data, map, and GIS analysis. In one of the featured activities, students work to analyse a range of data to determine a location for a Forward Operating Base (FOB). The resource includes two 45-minute lessons and a 60-minute session with presentations and worksheets, with activity options and extensions for KS4.
October 2024
Scotland, reflecting a long-standing trend towards co-education The new school name, Erskine Stewart Melville, honours the original founders of the schools and its new logo borrows heraldry from each of the schools. Established in 1694, it is one of the oldest schools in Scotland.
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