St Mary’s Melrose

With its backdrop of the three Eildon Hills and only two miles from Tweedbank Waverley line, St Mary’s Melrose is an independent co-educational prep school for two to 13 year olds offering day, weekly and flexi boarding. St Mary’s close-knit community of staff, pupils and parents is an integral part of this thriving, dynamic school, which aims to provide a first-class all-round education in a happy, stimulating learning environment.

A high level of teaching across the whole spectrum of academic subjects is backed by a strong emphasis on sport, music, drama and a range of extra-curricular activities. Music and drama along with all the activities are enjoyed by the pre-prep through to the senior school. The teaching staff are actively involved in providing many of these, resulting in a close personal knowledge of each individual pupil’s needs.

Central to life at St Mary’s is the busy and active hub of the full boarding house, where a high level of pastoral care in a cosy family environment provides an ideal introduction to boarding – for as many or few nights a week as required. The boarding facilities are currently being expanded to accommodate the popularity and demand by pupils not wanting to miss out on boarding fun! Being only a five minute drive to meet trains for the 55 minute journey to and from Waverley, the school is also an ideal option for families seeking to give their children a taste of the rural freedom whilst making an easy return home journey at weekends.

Common Entrance in Year 8 is the culmination of Form 8 pupils’ time at the school with a number also sitting scholarships. St Mary’s’ school leavers depart as independent learners with the confidence and knowledge to face the new challenges ahead – with a smile on their face.