At Erskine Stewart Melville, we value learning beyond the classroom just as much as our academic offering. Our full programme of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities encompasses Sport, Music and Drama, Trips, Clubs and Activities, along with Outdoor Learning.
trips including 4 residential camps and an Italy trip
312
students playing a musical instrument
46
sports teams
110
clubs from drone club and chess to street dance
5
dramatic performances each year
"My son is involved in fencing, rugby, swimming, judo, football, he sings in the choir, loves computer club, plays viola and performed his first solo to an audience aged 8. Even more impressively, he isn’t an anomaly."
Erskine Stewart Melville Junior School Parent
More Clubs for More Fun
We offer over 100 separate clubs for children from Primary 4 to Primary 7, which means there’s something for everyone. Children can enjoy everything from Hillwalking, Gymnastics and Swimming to Warhammer, Puppet Making and Street Dance and everything in between! These activities offer children the chance to explore their interests, develop new skills, and build lasting friendships in a supportive and nurturing environment. They are an integral part of a child’s education, contributing to their personal growth, social development, and academic success.
In addition, all Primary 3 children dive into two exciting blocks of twelve diverse clubs, from Science Club to Spanish Club, guided by 15 dedicated staff members. Dance classes are available from Nursery to Primary 7, with a range of modern dance options, including jazz, tap, street, and ballroom. Football Club is also available from Primary 1.
Learning beyond the classroom
Sport for All
At Erskine Stewart Melville Junior School, we provide an exceptional variety of sports for our students to explore and enjoy. While we encourage excellence and ambition in sports, our main goal is to ensure that every child has fun and develops a lifelong passion for physical activity. With 46 sports teams and over 350 students representing Erskine Stewart Melville Junior School in competitive fixtures, every child gets the chance to play competitively and be part of a team. Our sports lessons are designed to nurture the whole child, teaching them to embrace victories with grace, handle setbacks with resilience, learn from mistakes, and work together as a team. This starts with our very youngest children in Nursery being taught by Specialist teachers, with the range of Sports on offer growing as they progress through the School.
Sports opportunities available to children in our Junior School include: Hockey, Cricket, Athletics, Swimming, Rugby, Skiing, Netball, Football, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary Jazz, Ballroom Dancing, Acro, Cheerleading and Street Dance, Tennis, Badminton, Rounders, Golf, Cross-country, Bikeability, Football and Fencing.
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Sports Fixtures & Results
Click here for full details of fixtures, results, team lists and sports news.
One of the benefits of a school this size is the ability to provide a broad range of extra-curricular activities. From sports to drama and chess to photography, the children can access clubs and classes in almost every subject you can think of.
Anna Borthwick, Junior School Parent
I like Games because we get to go out and play rugby or hockey in the winter and cricket and athletics in the summer.
Oliver, Primary 6
I love Book Lovers Club. I can't wait for Monday afternoons to see my friends from other classes and to do fun things.
Lily, Primary 3
I like the laptops when you get into P6, trips, DEFINITELY GAMES - it is so fun and you get a choice on what sport you want to do and how to do it. I also like library, it is really cool that you can choose so many books AND renew them!
Eva, Primary 6
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Creative Arts: Music, Drama, and Dance
Music, drama and dance ignite your child’s creativity, and at our Junior School, this offers endless opportunities for exploration and enjoyment. Our unique experiences allow students to experiment, build their skills, and boost their confidence in exciting and enjoyable ways.
Our extensive Music and Drama programme earned us the 2023 Independent Schools of the Year Award in the Performing Arts, Music and Drama category
Over 600 Junior School children are actively involved regularly in one or more of our many choirs, orchestras, ensembles and bands
Almost 300 specialist instrumental lessons are provided each week on 23 different instruments
We have first-class facilities for music and the performing arts including our state-of-the-art Tom Fleming Centre and Mar Hall, as well as professional teachers and specialists who help our children tackle demanding pieces of music, plays and shows.
All of these opportunities help our children grow in confidence, both on and off the stage.
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A Journey of Discovery
Our school trips are thoughtfully planned to complement our curriculum, providing hands-on experiences that bring learning to life, and are designed to ignite curiosity, foster independence, and create lasting memories for our students. From local day trips to exciting residential adventures from Primary 4, each excursion is a unique opportunity for children to explore the world around them. These experiences not only reinforce academic concepts but also encourage critical thinking, teamwork, and a love for learning.
Building Confidence and Independence
Trips offer our students the chance to step out of their comfort zones, embrace new challenges, and grow in confidence. Our dedicated staff ensure that every trip is both safe and supportive, allowing students to thrive in new environments.
Learning in the Wilderness
At Erskine Stewart Melville we offer one of the most extensive outdoor learning programmes in Scotland, run by a full time Outdoor Learning Manager and supported by 70 staff, who share a passion for the outdoors. It gives our students so many opportunities to explore nature, take on challenges, build confidence and resilience, make independent decisions and develop strong friendships. Find out more about Outdoor Learning at Erskine Stewart Melville.
Creating Lifelong Memories
The friendships formed, the challenges overcome, and the new perspectives gained by our learning outside of the classroom create memories that last a lifetime.
Together, all of these opportunities nurture well-rounded individuals ready to take on new challenges with enthusiasm.
