Academic Awards and Financial Assistance

Our bursaries and academic awards offer support and recognition to talented students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.

Bursaries

A Senior School bursary at Erskine Stewart Melville is so much more than a place on a school roll. Our bursaries offer children who would be otherwise unable to attend our Senior Schools, the opportunity to experience an extraordinary education and reap all the benefits that Erskine Stewart Melville has to offer.

Joining the Erskine Stewart Melville Community is like joining a family. Our passionate and dedicated teachers ensure that each and every child is known and that they thrive here. Whether that be through our excellent academic provision or all the many opportunities outside the classroom, you’re guaranteed to find others who love the things that you love too. From singing in the Usher Hall, to our eight-day outdoor learning trip in the Highlands, to over 200 clubs and societies, the experiences in our Senior School are far reaching.

Our bursaries are awarded based on both financial need and merit, which includes a student’s performance in the entrance exam and how they present themselves during the process. As the number of bursary applications exceeds our available funds each year, a rigorous process is in place to ensure fair distribution. This includes a review by an external assessor, Bursary Administration Limited (BAL), with thorough checks to verify the information provided.

01

Senior School bursaries

02

When to apply

03

Siblings and family dynamics

Siblings of current bursary holders are not automatically given preference; each applicant is assessed independently on their own merits, including performance and potential. In households with two parents, we generally expect both to contribute financially unless there is a verified medical condition or pre-school-age children. Supporting evidence will be required where this is the case. In cases of parental separation, both parents are typically expected to be part of the means-tested review, unless there are significant, verifiable extenuating circumstances.

04

How are our bursaries reviewed?

Our bursaries are awarded and reviewed annually after detailed screening using a third-party reviewer. This includes a review of the recipient’s application in both their studies and engagement with the community. Awards are subject to a means tested review, as well as a review by the School’s academic team.

As well as stringent financial screening, an applicant must meet both the academic requirements and adhere to our bursary terms.

“Children who receive an Erskine Stewart Melville Bursary benefit from more than just an excellent education until they are 18 – they feel the benefit every day for the rest of their lives.

I grabbed hold of all the opportunities that were available to me thanks to the Bursary Fund. The life skills I learned performing on stage and excelling in sports lead me to start my own PR, Sponsorship and Events business, which has been successfully trading for 25 years. I left school 38 years ago but made lifelong, authentic friendships, and there are friends from school that I still speak to most days.

By giving to the ESM Bursary Fund, you are creating a personal legacy, and making a lifelong impact.”

Bursary Recipient, Viki Mendelssohn

Academic Awards

Academic Awards are presented in our Senior School following a competitive selection process. These Academic Awards are a recognition of each child’s academic achievement and promise. They are honorary in nature and do not include any financial element.

Academic Awards

Academic Awards are offered to pupils entering S1 of Senior School, whether from Erskine Stewart Melville Junior School or other primary schools. Families do not apply for these awards. Candidates from our Junior School are identified by the Junior School and put forward for the Academic Award Examinations. Pupils joining S1 from other primary schools are selected based on their performance in the S1 entrance examination. All candidates sit the Academic Award Examination together in January of their P7 year.

We offer three Academic Awards to recognise exceptional academic ability. The Merchant Company Award is presented to pupils who perform strongly in the Academic Award Examination. The Cunningham Award and the Mackay Award are the most prestigious distinctions, reserved for those who achieve outstanding results and demonstrate exceptional potential.

Music Awards

Music Awards are available to students currently in P7 up to S2 who demonstrate both a strong talent as an instrumentalist and a commitment to extra-curricular music activities. Students playing two instruments may apply for an award on each. Music Awards are reviewed annually by the Head of Music Performance, in consultation with instrumental teachers and the school music department. For further information on our process and what is expected of applicants, please email the Erskine Stewart Melville Administration – music@esms.org.uk.