The girls entering Melrose this year will leave the school in 2040, and the world will look different. We have a responsibility to prepare them for that future.
Preparing students for a changing world
The Ladies’ College recognises that global dynamics, climate change, and the rise of AI are reshaping the world. To prepare students for this fast-changing landscape, we are focused on developing key skills beyond traditional academics.
Working with Pathways Partners such as leaders from PwC, Specsavers, and UCL, we have identified four core skills essential for the future: know oneself; lead and influence; play and create; analyse and adapt. These competencies are embedded throughout our curriculum.
A curriculum for tomorrow
In 2022, we introduced Future Ready Skills across Key Stage 3, covering AI, real-world problem-solving, independent research, media analysis, and design thinking.
Building on this, 2024 saw the launch of Sixth Form Pathways. Alongside A-levels, Lower Sixth students choose from four specialised pathways: 'Business Leaders', 'Innovators and Creators', 'Changemakers', and 'Science Pioneers'. A core programme enhances this with training in AI, global competency, leadership, and decision-making. Every Sixth Form student also benefits from weekly one-on-one mentoring with a member of staff to track their progress in key skill areas.
A testbed for educational innovation
The College has been a Microsoft Showcase School for four years, equipping all students with Microsoft Surface devices to enhance digital learning. We also act as a testbed for EdTech and are in the process of developing an AI course in collaboration with UCL.
While innovation drives our approach, it is underpinned by a commitment to academic excellence. Our subject specialists foster a deep knowledge base, and the College consistently ranks among the UK’s top 100 schools for GCSE results; an achievement made even more significant given our non-selective entry.
"Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think."
– Albert Einstein
Laying the foundations
At Melrose, the journey begins with a play-based, exploratory curriculum that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and confidence from an early age. Future Ready Skills are embedded from Pre-School, with girls learning to:
- Know themselves through independence, resilience, and emotional literacy
- Lead and influence by working collaboratively and taking responsibility
- Play and create through imaginative and enquiry-led learning
- Analyse and adapt by reflecting on challenges and exploring solutions
Project-based learning provides opportunities to apply skills in real-world contexts, from science investigations to enterprise projects and performances. Digital literacy is introduced at an age-appropriate level, ensuring students build a strong foundation in communication, problem-solving, and creative thinking that will evolve as they progress through the College.
