The Mary Erskine School

Our move to co-education from 2026 Find out more

Independent Day School for girls aged 12 - 18 in Edinburgh

Part of ESMS, The Mary Erskine School is a vibrant community where extraordinary opportunities and inspirational teachers help children to achieve their own unique potential.

Following a co-educational Junior School, pupils move to The Mary Erskine School for the early years of secondary school, allowing them to find their voices, ignore stereotypes and become confident, secure, ambitious young women.  At Sixth Form they return to a co-educational learning environment to prepare them for life after school. This provides them with the best of both worlds.

We have a long history of educating girls, as one of the oldest all girls' schools in the UK, formed in 1694.

An outstanding school: happy pupils, happy staff - focused on self-development with impressive results.

Good Schools Guide
Read full review

Meet Our Pupils

Our pupils are our greatest asset, and it's through them we can really show you what a special place this is.

 

A Rounded Education

Our academic record is strong but it is the rounded education and the extraordinary opportunities we provide that make our pupils stand out. Our extensive outdoor learning programme builds resilience and self-belief and our unrivalled range of extra-curricular activities encourages the girls to challenge themselves, discover what they are capable of and excel in ways they never thought possible. Pupils leave the school with lifelong friendships, ready to take their place in society as strong leaders and role-models.

Opportunities at The Mary Erskine School

At The Mary Erskine School we can offer your daughter extraordinary opportunities. Girls from the school have formed The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo choir, represented the United Kingdom in the European Youth Parliament on four occasions, performed in professional West End touring shows, gone on incredible trips to diverse locations including Malawi, Vietnam, New Zealand and China and represented their school and country in sports from hockey to fencing and from cricket to equestrianism.

Finding Your Sport

With over 70 teams across over 20 sports, every pupil can find a sport they love

Room to Grow

Incredible grounds and facilities including a dedicated performing arts centre, an 1100 square metre sports hall, floodlit astroturfs, a running track and 6 tennis courts

Fun Outside the Classroom

We offer over 300 clubs and societies as well as wide-ranging opportunities in sport, music and drama, outdoor learning, trips and community involvement

Part of the ESMS Family of Schools

A joint Sixth Form, and an extensive programme of twinned co-educational activities with Stewart's Melville College ensures that friendships between the two schools remain strong.

Outdoor Learning

Children are offered a range of opportunities to be challenged and learn new skills through outdoor education

School Coach Service

For those girls who live further away from school, we offer a daily coach service across Edinburgh, the Lothians, and Fife. 

The school ensures the girls are fully aware of how lucky they are to enjoy the opportunities they do and that these opportunities should not be wasted.

Kate Comins, The Mary Erskine School parent

 

Hear from the Pupils

Find out what our pupils have to say about life at ESMS.

" I think that learning in a girls school made a real difference for me. Crucially, the environment helped to build my confidence."

Heather Barr, Former MES Pupil

See it for Yourself

The best way to experience The Mary Erskine School, is to come and visit for yourself. Get in touch with our Admissions Manager, Jane Welsh, to organise a private tour:

Why Choose The Mary Erskine School?

The Benefits of an Education at The Mary Erskine School

Education and Learning

Our Educational Philosophy and Exam Results

MES Sport

Sport

A wide variety of Sporting opportunities

Outdoor Learning

Learning new skills through outdoor education at The Mary Erskine School

Mary Erskine girls sing carols

Music and Drama

The stage is set for every girl

Clubs and Societies

Over 90 extra-curricular activities to choose from

Wellbeing

A 'sector leading' approach to wellbeing: every girl, at every stage, feels supported and valued

Careers Advice

Targeted career advice and support for every girl