How would you summarise your time at ESMS?
To summarise my time at ESMS, I would say I’ve had the freedom to be curious and to follow my passions, while also being exposed to so many different kinds of activities—whether it is art forms, school plays, or different sports in PE or through the games programme. Friendship is a huge part of it and the sense of community. At SMC, there’s this sense of almost brotherhood – we’re all like one unit. You walk down the corridor, shaking hands with people. It’s very friendly and very supportive.
When did you join the school, and what have been some highlights for you?
I joined in 2016, so I’ve been here for a little while. I’ve gone up through a lot of the Junior School and I’m really grateful for those experiences. Some highlights were the West Highland Way and Carbisdale in Senior School. ESMS really excels in taking us beyond the curriculum, helping us develop skills that we need to excel in life.
Can you tell us about your experience with the West Highland Way?
It was incredible. It was P7, right at the end of Junior School. The weather was beautiful the entire way, and the route was stunning. Experiencing nature like that makes you think, “Why do we settle for living in cities?” Edinburgh is beautiful, but being in spectacular nature is impactful.
Can you share any examples of how staff at SMC have supported you?
There are so many examples. Whether it’s taking a business pitch to Mr Robertson, my economics teacher, or discussing political theory with Mr Major. They feed your intellectual curiosity and give you confidence that you can make a difference in your community and the world. The teachers have been incredibly supportive.
Have you taken part in any school plays?
Yes, I’ve been in several plays. One of the first was Othello, then Our Town, and most recently The Glass Menagerie. The drama department is excellent, and the productions have been really fun. It’s great to work with the same cohort of people, and the facilities and space for the arts have made a huge difference in our training.
What have you learned from these experiences?
I’ve learned so much, especially speaking skills, public speaking, and the confidence that comes from performing. You also build friendships and feel that sense of kinship from going through intense experiences together, like you would on a hockey team. I’d encourage everyone to give it a go; you can learn so much from it.
How have you balanced ballet with academics and other commitments?
I’ve spent over 20 hours a week in the ballet studio preparing for the audition process, and there have been challenging times. But throughout it all, the school has been incredibly supportive and accommodating. I’ve also taken opportunities in social entrepreneurship, and the school has recognised and encouraged that as well.
Can you tell us more about your entrepreneurial projects?
During the first COVID-19 lockdown, I founded The Curious Times, which is now an online media network in over 100 countries. I also co-founded the Global Young Entrepreneur Society, where we interview global leaders and publish the interviews for young people to learn from. At the moment I’m working on a campaign called ‘Reel It In’, which is designed to end social media addiction, as well as a start-up called Spade that uses social media data to profile people for recruiters. I’m keeping social entrepreneurship as a priority, even while focusing on ballet!
Have you received any awards for your work?
Yes, I was honoured with the Diana Award and the UK Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award. These awards show that doing things that benefit both yourself and the world is possible, even at a young age.
What parting advice would you give to students at ESMS?
Take every opportunity the school offers. Make the most of all the trips, like Carbisdale and the West Highland Way. Don’t be scared to create your own opportunities and trust the process – the school will support you along your journey. I don’t know if I’m supposed to say this, but I etched my name with a crayon in the rafters of the TFC as I was leaving! It was quite an emotional experience because I saw lots of my friends from the year above had done the same. It’s like a real legacy that started a long time ago.
What’s next for you?
I’m really excited to start a BA in Modern Ballet at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. It’s been a difficult decision to leave school a year early, but I wanted something different. I love the challenge of ballet, and I’m excited about the performance opportunities and collaborations ahead. For me, the school has been all about building this confidence that even after doing ballet, I know that I can still go and do a postgraduate degree in international relations or politics or the likes of that as well.
We don’t think this is the last time you’ll be hearing about Lewis Swire! We’re incredibly proud of all that he’s achieved, and can’t wait to see what he does next.
