Founded in 1694 as the Merchant Maiden Hospital by Mary Erskine and the Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh. It was one of the first schools in Britain to be endowed specifically for girls. There is a particularly close association with Stewart's Melville College boys' school (together known as the Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools). The two schools share a Principal, a co-educational junior school and a co-educational sixth form. The intention is to ensure that pupils have the advantage of both single-sex and combined education. It has occupied its present site since 1966. The modern and well-equipped buildings are set in pleasant grounds. The system for guidance and pastoral care is a particular strength and careers guidance and learning support are well established. Religious, moral and social education forms part of the curriculum at all levels. Academic results are most creditable and almost all leavers go on to university although, in the Scottish tradition, not large numbers to Oxbridge. Music is very strong and plays an important part in the life of the school; drama and art are well supported. There are excellent facilities for sports and games in which good standards are attained. Opportunities are provided for outdoor education including hill walking, mountain biking and canoeing. There is extensive participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and many activities run jointly with Stewart's Melville College, including a CCF contingent. Full use is made of the cultural amenities of Edinburgh for many projects.

Pupils: Age range 12-18, 717 girls (693 day, 24 boarding). Entrance: Main entry age 12. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, S-grades/GCSEs at credit level or grade A/B (including subjects taken on to Higher). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 25% of main intake. Many pupils from own junior school (enquiries to the Admissions Secretary, The Junior School, Queensferry Road, Edinburgh EH4 3EX; tel 0131 311 1111).

Means-tested bursaries, up to 100% of day fees, available for those entering any year group.

Principal: David Gray, appointed in 2000. Educated at Fettes and Bristol University (English). Previously Headmaster at Pocklington School, Head of General Studies at Dulwich and Head of English at Leeds Grammar. Formerly co-owner, partner and recruitment officer of key English Language Institute, Athens. Teaching staff: 68 full time, 10 part time. Annual turnover 8%.

S-grade and Intermediate 2: 120 pupils in S4: 94% gained at least 5 credit passes. Highers and Advanced Highers: 107 in S5, 95 in S6. 65% passed 5 Highers. Average of 4.5 subjects passed at Higher. 75% gained at least one Advanced Higher. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 450.

95% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course. 8% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 17% in science and engineering, 21% in humanities and social sciences, 1% in art and design, 28% in other vocational subjects eg business management, 25% in arts and combined arts. Others typically go on to non-degree courses.

S-grade, Intermediate 2, Highers and Advanced Highers. 27 subjects offered. Sixth form: Run jointly with Stewarts Melville. Girls in S5 take 5 subjects in a mixture of arts and sciences, continuing in 3 subjects to Advanced Highers in S6. Vocational: Work experience available, working with others, care skills and stand-alone courses. Special provision: Assessment by educational psychologist; some individual and group withdrawal support for learning and EAL. Languages: French and German (both compulsory for 1 year) offered at S-grade, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher; Spanish at S-grade and Higher. Regular exchanges (France and Germany). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg word-processing in English, spreadsheets in mathematics. 63 computers for pupil use (7 hours a day), 60 networked, all with email and internet access. 74 laptops available to staff and pupils.

Music: Over 30% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Main musical groups include orchestras, choirs, bands, pipe band, plus many chamber groups and ensembles. Regular chamber concerts; 2 musicals annually. Members of Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, Scottish Sinfonia, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, National Children's Orchestra. Drama: Drama offered both within and extra curricular. Sixth year drama production. Art and design: On average, 37 take S-grade, 21 Higher, 10 Advanced Higher. Design, textiles, photography, printmaking, mosaics, batik and ceramics also offered. Typically, 10 pupils go to art colleges each year.

Sport: Hockey, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, dance, badminton, athletics, tennis and fitness compulsory to age 15. Pupils in S5 and S6 can also choose touch rugby, swimming, football, rounders, cricket and aerobics. Pupils may take Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher PE exams. Scottish representatives in hockey, athletics and fencing; district reps in hockey, basketball, tennis, athletics/cross-country. Activities: Duke of Edinburgh's Award (bronze, silver and gold), CCF and community service all optional. Over 70 clubs including book club, choir, conservation, curling, fencing, debating, maths, highland dancing, goldsmithing, public speaking, hillwalking.

Uniform: School uniform worn throughout. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head girl, 4 deputy head girls, prefects, appointed by the Principal and elected by the pupils and staff. School Council. Religion: Attendance at (non-denominational) religious assembly compulsory. Social: Many extra-curricular events twinned with Stewart's Melville College, including the Erskine Stewart's Melville twinned house challenge; Carbisdale 10-day project in northern Scotland. Trips abroad include exchanges, Young Reporters trip (Germany or France), hockey trips (Canada, Australia, Holland). Pupils may bring own car/bike/motorbike to school (but park cars off-site). School shop. No alcohol or tobacco allowed.

Pupils failing to produce prep/homework once might expect a warning (detention for repeated offence); those caught dealing in cannabis or bringing it onto the premises will be expelled.

can be contacted via Mrs Norma Rolls, c/o the school

Caroline Kaart-Rairt (singer in Netherlands); Audrey Innes (Scottish concert pianist); Lynda Cochrane (pianist); Frances Grey (Vanity Fair-TV); Madeleine Worrall (National Theatre); Janice Rankin (Olympic Curling Gold Medallist); Jenny Foulds (TV); Elaine Murray (MSP).