Subject to the necessary external approval from OSCR (the Scottish Charity Regulator) Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools and George Watson’s College will each become independent legal entities.
For some time, the schools have operated largely autonomously, with authority delegated to the Governing Councils and with MCEB providing oversight. The revised structure will formalise this relationship, with MCEB retaining some representation on each governing council and ceremonial functions. This will empower each school to act independently for the benefit of students, staff, parents and other stakeholders, while remaining connected to the heritage of the Merchant Company.
While this restructuring will bring real benefits in terms of operational agility and decision-making, it will have no “day to day” impact on students or staff.
This change reflects a commitment to strong governance that enables both schools to flourish in a dynamic and demanding environment. By empowering school-level leadership we are ensuring that the schools remain robust, accountable, and well-positioned for the future.
Anthony Simpson, Principal at Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools comments; “This change marks an exciting next chapter for our School and puts us in a real position of strength for the future, especially as we move to become fully co-educational as Erskine Stewart Melville in August 2026.
“The proposed new structure is the best of both worlds, retaining our historic links with the Merchant Company of Edinburgh, whilst evolving our autonomy, allowing us to make the best decisions for our families, staff and wider community.”
