Fettes College Guangzhou vs Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake

	F Fettes College Guangzhou Guangzhou, China	M Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake Guangzhou, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 100,000 - 150,000	Fees / year RMB 40,000 - 178,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 17 years	Age range 14 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Chinese National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2020	Opened 2021
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Fettes College Guangzhou is on a large campus in Phoenix City, Nan'an Village, Xintang Town, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou (No. 2 Xinxue Road, postcode 511340). The school is set on a suburban campus about an hour's drive from Guangzhou city centre and Baiyun International Airport, so most families travel to the site by car or school-arranged transport.	Location Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake is located in the Songshan Lake industrial park, Dongguan, Guangdong — the campus sits next to Huawei European Village and Songshan Lake Park. Address given on the school site is C4 CIMC Yi-Ning-Xi-Lu Road, Dongguan City, Guangdong, China. The site notes the campus is tranquil and has easy access to local transport links.
Stages	Stages The school is a K–12 provision with an Early Years section plus Primary, Middle and Senior (high school) divisions listed on the school site. Age entry is shown as approximately 2 to 17 years.	Stages The school offers IGCSE and A‑level programmes and international preparatory (pre‑A level) options, with two‑year IGCSE and two‑year A‑level patterns and a one‑year pre‑A route described on the curriculum pages. The programmes are aimed at secondary / senior‑school students preparing for university.
School type	School type FCG is a day and boarding school; the website describes boarding as an integral part of the Fettesian model and details house/boarding staff arrangements. The site presents the school as a full-year K–12 provision (no religious or single‑sex designation is stated).	School type MAS is a co‑educational school and operates boarding provision; students are placed in age‑appropriate boarding houses with houseparents and resident tutors on site. The Songshan Lake campus is part of the wider Merchiston group (links with Merchiston Castle School and other Merchiston campuses) and shares resources across those campuses.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school describes a pastoral ‘humanistic care' system that provides individualised support and wellbeing services; Early Years and other pages note small class sizes and targeted activities (for example sensory-integration work in EY). The website also describes EAL/IELTS support and one-to-one or small-group tutorials for students needing extra help. For specifics about formal SEN assessments or named specialist staff, the school requests enquiries via admissions.	Additional learning support The website describes a three‑teacher guidance model that includes academic mentors, pastoral care and a psychological counsellor as part of student support. The school does not publish a detailed Special Educational Needs (SEN) or specific learning‑support list on its public pages; parents are advised to contact admissions for case‑specific information.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Fettes College Guangzhou is a joint venture between Fettes College (UK) and Country Garden (Country Garden Education Group); the partnership and British heritage are stated on the school site.	Country affiliation MAS presents itself as part of the Merchiston family and cites an affiliation with Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, Scotland (UK).
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school site does not list any religious affiliation; its materials present the provision as an international, secular K–12 school.	Religious affiliation The school website does not state any religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure The website does not publish a standard daily timetable (start/end times or exact break/lunch times) in its public pages. Prospective parents are directed to contact admissions or consult the School Handbook/policies for detailed daily schedules.	School day structure The site publishes an Academic Calendar and a timetable page (作息表) where the school timetable is made available; exact start and finish times are shown on that calendar/timetable rather than in prominent text. The boarding page notes that boarders follow the same working day as day students and have a structured evening homework period and supervised weekend activities.
Bus service details	Bus service details There is no detailed information about a daily school-bus network or external provider on the public website. If a dedicated bus service or route information is important for your move, contact the admissions team (phone numbers and contact page are on the site) to request current bus routes, pick‑up points and costs.	Bus service details The school refers to school buses in its uniform guidance (students must wear uniform on school buses), which indicates a bus service is used, but the website does not publish detailed route, provider or booking information. For pickup/drop‑off routes, costs and registration, the site directs parents to contact Admissions (admissions@merchistonacademy.cn / 400 999 0978).
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - The school's public admissions pages do not publish a specific application or non‑refundable registration fee; no application fee is listed on the school's admissions information. Tuition fees (per term and per year group) - Early Years (EY): commonly reported around RMB 120,000 per year (equivalent to approximately RMB 60,000 per semester) in recent school listings. - Primary (compulsory stage): RMB 120,000 per semester — therefore RMB 240,000 per academic year (two semesters). This level is set as a government‑approved semester rate. - Middle / Junior secondary (compulsory stage): RMB 135,000 per semester — therefore RMB 270,000 per academic year. This level is set as a government‑approved semester rate. - Senior / High school: published market‑rate semester ranges are RMB 132,500 to RMB 162,500 per semester; this corresponds to RMB 265,000 to RMB 325,000 per academic year (two semesters). Where applicable, differentiation is reported between day and boarding arrangements. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition for the compulsory stages (primary and middle) is charged per semester (semester billing). Several school notices and the official local fee approval state semester billing is the basis for fee collection. Boarding fees (where applicable) - Officially approved boarding charges for the compulsory levels are: Primary boarding RMB 9,000 per semester; Middle boarding RMB 14,000 per semester. - For Senior School there are reported options and different boarding packages: examples published for senior students include day student vs 5‑day and 7‑day boarding differentials (e.g., RMB 132,500 per semester for day; RMB 152,500 for 5‑day boarding; RMB 162,500 for 7‑day boarding in recent reports). Other costs and typical extras - Meal / catering fees are reported per semester as approximately: Primary RMB 9,000; Middle RMB 10,000; Senior RMB 11,000. - Typical one‑off or periodic extras reported in market summaries include: activity / enrichment / international examination or expedition fees (examples around RMB 2,000), and school uniform kit charges (reported examples: Primary ~RMB 3,000 per set; Middle/High ~RMB 3,800 per set in past published lists). Refund information - Refunds and charge‑back calculations for the compulsory (义务教育) stages are governed by Guangdong provincial rules on private school charging and refunding. The provincial rules set out clear refund methodology (for example, pro‑rata refunds based on months in attendance and defined percentages for students who register but do not attend) and require schools to process refunds within statutory timelines. These provincial rules apply to the school's compulsory stages. Fee payment options - The school's public admissions pages and policy pages do not list specific accepted payment channels (for example, named bank accounts, online payment gateways or card acceptance) in the materials available online. Parents are typically expected to observe the school's published invoice / payment instructions at registration. Note: figures above are drawn from the school's admissions information and recent local fee approvals and market summaries; compulsory‑stage semester rates are recorded in the local government fee approval. The entries above present per‑term amounts followed by the corresponding per‑year totals where applicable.	Fee details Application / Seat‑reservation fees - Seat reservation (placement) deposit: RMB 18,000 (payable on offer/booking; treated as a seat deposit). Tuition fees (current academic year — listed as annual amounts by programme) - QingTeng programme (national curriculum + AP): RMB 178,000 per year. - Songshan Lake programme (national curriculum + A‑Level): RMB 158,000 per year. - ZiJing programme (national curriculum + DSE): RMB 98,000 per year. - DeQin (domestic curriculum + Xingzhi特色): RMB 40,000 per year. Per‑term / billing equivalents - The school has previously published semester figures (two semesters per academic year) for international and domestic directions; older published semester examples include RMB 75,000 per semester for international direction and RMB 30,000 per semester for domestic direction. Where an annual fee is published, treat it as the full academic‑year charge unless a semester breakdown is specified. Boarding (annual) - Boarding (6‑person room): RMB 18,000 per year. - Boarding (3‑person room): RMB 30,000 per year. Other charges (paid separately) - Insurance, optional paid CCAs, school bus, bedding/room setup, meals, uniforms, textbooks, international examination registration fees and occasional field‑trip or practical course fees. These items are charged in addition to tuition/boarding. Billing schedule and payment terms / refunds - Tuition is charged according to the published fee schedule for the relevant programme/year. If a student enrolls after a term begins, fees may be charged on a pro‑rata basis. Students are required to settle outstanding fees to receive school reports. If a registered student pays but does not commence, 90% of fees may be refundable; mid‑term withdrawals are calculated pro‑rata by actual days in attendance (school example formula: refund = paid/184 * (184 − days attended), with a minimum month unit). One‑term written notice of withdrawal is normally required; failure to give notice can result in charges for remaining fees. Fee payment options - Publicly available materials do not list a definitive set of accepted payment channels for MAS Songshan Lake. Common channels for campuses in this group include bank transfer and electronic payments; for admissions or payment instructions, use the school admissions contact (admissions@merchistonacademy.cn).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements Boarding is an integral part of FCG and mirrors the boarding ethos of Fettes College UK. Boarding fosters independence and practical life skills such as resilience, timekeeping, self-motivation and tolerance. The Primary School has dedicated boarding houses, Arran and Iona, which host boarders.	Boarding arrangements Three age-appropriate boarding houses accommodate MAS Songshan Lake students, cared for by a Houseparent who lives on site alongside resident Tutors, promoting a family atmosphere. Boarding students follow the same school day pattern; after their evening meal they have structured homework time overseen by a staff member on duty, followed by social time and bedtime. A fully staffed medical centre supports boarders, and at weekends they may participate in a range of activities or undertake independent study.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The uniform features magenta and chocolate stripes; senior pupils wear magenta and chocolate stripes as part of the uniform.	Uniform requirement All MAS students wear the school uniform on school days, on school buses, on school property and on school trips; exceptions may be allowed in special circumstances. Full dress is required from October to April and during the rally.
Food options	Food options —	Food options Boarding includes meals; boarders have evening meals as part of the daily routine.
House system	House system Arran and Iona are the Primary School boarding houses.	House system There are three age-appropriate boarding houses for MAS Songshan Lake students.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership FCG is a joint venture between Bright Scholar Education Group and Fettes College. It is a 15-year all-through private school. The school uses bilingual instruction in English and Chinese, with about 40% of curriculum taught in English.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Fettes College Guangzhou operates a K–12, China–international blended curriculum that integrates the Chinese national curriculum with British and IB frameworks and delivers much of its teaching bilingually. In the kindergarten the programme is EYFS‑informed within the IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) framework and includes a wide range of enrichment activities and CCAs. The primary school explicitly combines the Chinese national curriculum with the IB PYP framework and elements of the Fettes (UK) programme to deliver cross‑curricular, inquiry‑based learning. The middle school teaches the national compulsory curriculum while drawing on the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) framework to structure bilingual, inquiry‑led study and project work. The senior school offers externally assessed international qualifications—Cambridge IGCSE followed by A‑Level courses—providing multiple academic pathways and university preparation.	Curriculum details Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake delivers UK‑style 14–19 provision with IGCSE, a Pre‑A‑level year where applicable, two‑year A‑levels and vocational BTEC pathways in partnership with Edexcel. Programmes run on three entry models — 0+2 (two‑year A‑level for G11–G13), 1+2 (one year Pre‑A‑level then two years A‑level for G10–G11 entrants) and 2+2 (two years IGCSE then two years A‑level) — with staged academic targets for each cohort. Core and elective subjects include Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Economics (students typically choose three at A‑level), with IGCSE equivalents and wider options such as Biology, Geography, Accounting, Computer Science, ICT, Drama and Art & Design. Language provision includes IGCSE English plus A‑level and Chinese pathways (including Chinese A‑level and HSK for international students), and the school offers extension and admissions‑test preparation (STEP/MAT/PAT) and competition training. The wider scope comprises vocational/internship modules (BTEC, finance, e‑commerce, data analysis), phase‑assessed general education credits (software, media, Mandarin, arts, performance) and a broad co‑curricular activities programme.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Fettes College Guangzhou describes a formal pastoral system that places students into Houses and uses boarding tutors, house parents and boarding carers to provide day-to-day pastoral support and to develop social skills, resilience and a sense of belonging. The school's website explains a named “humanistic mind‑care” (pastoral) approach that monitors both learning and physical/mental health and aims to help students with individual difficulties. House competitions, age‑appropriate boarding activities and a high staff‑to‑student ratio are highlighted as mechanisms to promote social and emotional development. The school also publishes a Pastoral Care and Student Behaviour policy as part of its policies list.	Social & emotional learning Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake states that pastoral care is a central part of its approach and places pastoral care “on a paramount position” within its holistic education model. The school describes boarding tutors and houseparents as important role models who live and work with students, which the school says supports students' social development and sense of community. Co-curricular activities (CCAs) such as Debate Club, Cultural Societies and team sports are listed as regular provision that supports teamwork, communication and wider social skills. The Boarding overview explicitly links boarding routines and house structures to encouraging interpersonal skills and a supportive community.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school's public website and published policies (language policy, safeguarding, pastoral care) describe pastoral, medical and language support but do not set out specific provision, staff roles or named programmes for Special Educational Needs (SEN). Fettes College Guangzhou does not publicly specify which kinds of SEN it can support or that it is a specialist SEN institution in the materials available online. For SEN details and any individual arrangements the school would make, families should contact the Admissions or Pastoral teams directly.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school's public website does not set out a dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) or inclusion policy. The site does describe targeted academic clinics (for example, Chinese Clinic and Science Clinic) that provide extra academic support, but these pages do not identify specialist SEN provision or list specific categories of special needs supported. There is no page on the website that describes a named SEN coordinator, specialist learning support team, or a formal SEN policy. Based on the website material I reviewed, Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake does not publicly disclose specific SEN provision or whether it is a specialist SEN institution.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language FCG publishes a detailed Language Policy stating it provides English Language Acquisition / EAL (and Chinese as an additional language) and that provision is made “wherever possible” for students without English or Chinese as a mother tongue. The school describes co‑teaching with expatriate teachers and dedicated EAL teaching in Senior, Middle and Primary phases, and recent news articles describe interactive EAL classes and Cambridge/IELTS preparation. The website also references EAL/IELTS courses using digital platforms and exam preparation for Cambridge English qualifications.	English as an additional language The school's co‑curricular listings describe an English Clinic and an English Clinic/IELTS Preparation offering targeted English support; the site states that targeted EAL/IELTS provision is available, including an EAL provision note for Years 12–13. The English Clinic is described as focused lessons to improve English language proficiency and the IELTS preparation CCA is explicitly for students identified as needing exam support. These references indicate targeted English-language support primarily through CCA-style clinics rather than a separate full-time EAL department. The school does not publish a separate detailed EAL policy or an all‑school EAL programme on the public website.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school's Safeguarding page lists a counselling policy and a Student Psychological Crisis Screening and Intervention guideline among downloadable documents, and the Pastoral Care page describes pastoral staff (house parents, tutors and boarding carers) who support students' personal matters. FCG states that staff receive child‑protection training and that the pastoral system monitors students' wellbeing and helps resolve individual difficulties. These published policies indicate the school has formal counselling and crisis‑intervention documents, although the downloadable PDFs require access for the full details.	Mental wellbeing The school lists staff with psychology and mental health-related roles: an individual profile identifies Richard Yu as a Psychology & University Guidance Teacher with a mental health teacher qualification and experience in school psychology and counselling. The Guidance Team page describes a university counselling team and named counsellors involved in student guidance. Boarding information states that houseparents and resident tutors are expected to provide responsive care and that staff receive ongoing in‑service training related to student welfare. The site also mentions a fully staffed medical centre on campus for student healthcare. These items on the website indicate the school provides pastoral, counselling and on‑site medical resources for student wellbeing, though the site does not publish a full mental‑health policy document.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Fettes College Guangzhou publishes a Safeguarding page explaining its child‑protection responsibilities, staff training, site security, DBS/international police checks for adults who work with students, anti‑bullying procedures, and first‑aid/medical arrangements. The page lists a Safeguarding Handbook, Child Protection Policy and other related documents (including the Safe‑Touch policy) as downloadable attachments. The school states that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and sets out the types of abuse it addresses and how staff should respond to concerns.	Safeguarding The website emphasises pastoral care, boarding house structures with houseparents and resident tutors, ongoing in‑service staff training, and a fully staffed medical centre as parts of student care and supervision. Boarding pages describe principles such as dignity, inclusion and access to responsive care, and note that tutors and houseparents are important role models who live on site to support students' welfare. The public site does not appear to publish a standalone child protection or safeguarding policy, nor does it name a designated safeguarding lead on the pages reviewed. Therefore, while the site describes practical safeguarding-related provisions (boarding supervision, staff training and medical support), it does not publicly disclose a formal safeguarding/child‑protection policy document.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The campus is designed by a world‑class design firm to blend Eastern and Lingnan cultural elements with China's educational requirements. The international campus is green and tranquil, with a layout that integrates education and technology in a smart learning environment. It offers modern learning spaces that support independent study, exploration, and holistic development in a natural setting. The school has three libraries, more than fifty independent piano practice rooms, two heated swimming pools, two large theatres (including a professional black‑box theatre), a climbing wall, a squash court, tennis courts, a gym, a FIFA‑certified football pitch, and a FIBA‑certified basketball hall. The arts and performing spaces include dedicated studios and buildings for art, music, and drama, with spaces for instrument practice and performances.	Facilities overview The Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake campus sits in Songshan Lake Industrial Park in Dongguan, adjacent to Huawei Europe Town, in a quiet, accessible setting. The campus covers 35,000 square metres and is equipped with world‑class teaching facilities and equipment, supported by a professional staff and on‑site sports spaces. The school is part of a four‑campus network and resources are shared with Merchiston Castle School (UK), MIS Shenzhen and MIS Shekou. Boarding is available with three age‑appropriate houses and a fully staffed medical centre on site. The campus environment supports a holistic international education for students aged roughly 14–19.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The school supports nearly twenty sports facilities and venues to support physical development. Facilities include equestrian facilities, field hockey, tennis, indoor golf, squash, swimming, basketball, football, badminton courts, and more. There are a 50‑meter heated swimming pool and a 25‑meter pool, along with a fencing room, multiple tennis courts, a volleyball court, and indoor golf facilities. The football pitch is FIFA-standard and the basketball hall is FIBA-standard. The school's sports staff includes national‑level athletes and internationally certified coaches.	Sports facilities Cricket is one of the three main sports offered. Golf is available with access to local practice facilities and a partner club for some sessions. Hockey sessions are available through Merchiston Hockey Club, including time at the Astro Stadium. Rugby provides a defined pathway and regular team activity. Tennis is part of the curricular and co‑curricular programs, with a structured development pathway.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The school houses multiple academic and specialized spaces. It includes three libraries and more than fifty independent piano practice rooms, biology labs, computer classrooms, and dedicated spaces for arts and design—visual arts, ceramics, fashion design—as well as instrument rooms and a dedicated building for instrument performance and drama. The campus provides 3D printing rooms and other technology-enabled learning spaces to support project work.	Academic facilities Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake offers IGCSE, A‑Level and BTEC courses delivered by a mix of local and international teaching staff. The campus size is 35,000 square metres and includes world‑class teaching facilities and equipment, along with sports facilities. Resources are shared across MAS's four campuses, including MAS Songshan Lake, MIS Shenzhen, MIS Shekou and Merchiston Castle School in the UK.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The co-curricular program centers on arts, sport and practical experiences to complement academics. Art education is a core component with extensive courses, master‑level instructors, and comprehensive art facilities, including spaces for painting, design, ceramics and fashion design, plus dedicated rooms for instrument study and rehearsals. A purpose-built performing arts complex supports instrumental performance and drama, and private music lessons (piano and clarinet) are offered, along with online master classes.	Extra curricular facilities The co‑curricular program includes a broad range of sports and arts/creative activities. Sports CCAs include Cricket, Golf, Hockey, Tennis and Rugby, with some activities held at dedicated facilities (e.g., Astro Stadium and partner golf courses). Arts and culture CCAs cover Still Life Academic Drawing, Mural Club, Paper Craft, Ceramics, Photo Realistic Portraits, Illuminated Manuscripts & Ink Drawing, Documentary, Chinese Embroidery, Cultural Societies‑Film Club and Calligraphy. Additional lanes include English Clinic/IELTS Preparation, Economics Clinic, Seniors Choir, Street Dance, Pipa and K‑pop Group, among others; some CCAs carry fees.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Fettes College Guangzhou was established as a joint project between Country Garden Education Group and Fettes College (UK), bringing the Fettes name and traditions to a new campus in Guangzhou. The school launched global recruitment and began operating as an overseas extension of Fettes in 2020. Its identity explicitly ties to the historic Fettes College in Edinburgh — founded in 1870 by Sir William Fettes — and draws on that boarding-school heritage as part of its model. The Guangzhou campus and masterplan were developed with international architects (Broadway Malyan) and sit on a purpose-built site in Zengcheng as part of the joint-venture structure.	History Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake (MAS) opened in September 2021. MAS is affiliated with Dongguan Xingzhi Vocational School and is presented on its website as linked to Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, with shared branding and curriculum collaboration. The school's web material states it works with UK partners such as Edexcel to offer internationally recognised courses. MAS is described as one campus within a group that shares resources with other Merchiston campuses (for example Shenzhen and Qianhai).
Community	Community The school community combines day and boarding cultures and a mix of Chinese and international staff and families; school life includes regular assemblies, co-curricular programmes, and boarding routines that shape daily student life. Fettes Guangzhou runs a calendar of large, campus-wide events — for example an International Culture Festival, an annual sports carnival/“运动嘉年华”, arts and music festivals, and a technology festival — that bring students, teachers and families together. Parents commonly participate as volunteers and attendees at these events (the International Culture Festival featured parent volunteers and multiple food stalls), and the school promotes student-led activities and exchanges with its UK partner as part of community life.	Community The school describes a community shaped around full boarding, pastoral care and a “family-feel” college model, with emphasis on student wellbeing and discipline. A wide range of co-curricular activities is listed on the school site—examples include choir, band, theatrical productions, traditional Chinese music (including pipa), sports and outreach/volunteer projects. The campus is located in Songshan Lake and the school highlights connections with local technology and industry partners as part of its community and practical learning opportunities.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association Rather than a single publicly described “PTA” page, the school engages parents through structured academic reporting and event-based collaboration. Primary policies describe regular Parent–Teacher Conferences, three‑way conferences (student, parent, teacher), and student‑led conferences as formal opportunities for parent–teacher dialogue and student reflection. Early Years and Primary sections run termly meetings and workshops for parents (for example an EY mid‑term parent meeting and curriculum workshops), and parents are routinely invited to participate or volunteer at major events such as the International Culture Festival and the Spring Carnival. Volunteer roles cited on the school site include supporting food stalls and event logistics at the International Culture Festival; parents also attend open days and curriculum workshops to review progress and school programmes. These touchpoints (conferences, meetings, volunteering at festivals and open days) appear to be the primary mechanisms the school uses to involve families in school life.	Parent teacher association The school's published materials refer to a boarding parents' group (寄宿家长会) that provides practical support for students' residential life and liaises with the school's pastoral team; psychological services and campus residential staff are noted as part of that support structure. The website does not publish a separate, detailed PTA constitution or regular public calendar of parent-led events; publicly available pages focus more on the boarding-parents structure and pastoral arrangements. For information about current parent committees, regular meetings, volunteer roles or fundraising activities the school directs readers to its contact channels (admissions email/phone) for up-to-date details. If you'd like, I can contact the admissions address on the school site and request the latest PTA or parent‑engagement information and report back.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school provides Comprehensive Development-EY, Primary, Middle, and Senior CCA Courses (Extension Courses). Nearly 70 options across eight curriculum categories promote comprehensive development. Sports options include equestrian, golf, swimming, rock climbing, ultimate Frisbee, baseball, squash, rugby, hockey, tennis, boxing, football, fitness, and fencing; art options include orchestral music, ballet, English drama, dance, chorus, fashion design, floral art, tea, pottery, oil painting, cartoon painting, baking, and hard-pen calligraphy; humanities and social sciences include Spanish, English speech, English debate, Chinese extended reading, and bilingual reading; science and technology include artificial intelligence, young makers, 3D animation programming, 3D printing, and drones; subjects include math competition and chemistry club.	Academic & intellectual Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake offers Year 11–13 programs with IGCSE and A-level pathways, including 0+2, 1+2, and 2+2 routes. The A-level program is delivered in partnership with Edexcel, and the curriculum includes a Pre-A-level year as a preparatory stage. Core subject options cover Mathematics (and Further Mathematics), Physics, Chemistry, Economics, and other subjects; elective options include additional languages and STEAM-related subjects, with opportunities to pursue examinations and university-admissions pathways. The curriculum is designed to foster independent study, analytical thinking, and global readiness to support admission to world-renowned universities. Accreditations and pathways also emphasize global perspectives and real-world applicability.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Arts Academy is a collaboration with the Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts (CSVPA). It features a Performing Arts Centre with a Concert Hall and a Black Box theatre, five art classrooms for 3D design, photography, woodwork, painting, and textile and sewing, and more than 50 independent music practice rooms. CSVPA offers Diploma, Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses across Art & Design, Fashion, Music and the Performing Arts; the Extended Diploma and Foundation are quality assured by the University of the Arts London (UAL), and BA and MA courses are quality assured by Falmouth University. An average of 70% of CSVPA students have gained entry to UAL in the last five years.	Arts & creative The program supports arts and creative development through a range of co-curricular activities, including Band and dramatic productions, as well as visual and performing arts projects. The school runs practical arts experiences and production opportunities integrated with its broader curriculum. Students can engage in visual and performing arts through clubs and productions, with a focus on collaboration and creativity. CCAs and production work are part of the extracurricular framework.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Eight major curriculum categories include languages such as Spanish. In Humanities and social sciences, languages include Spanish, English speech, English debate, and Chinese extended reading; bilingual reading is supported.	Cultural & language Language offerings include compulsory language study and elective options that include English and Chinese language tracks, with pathways such as IGCSE English and Chinese-language options at A-level; there are provisions for Chinese language study at A-level and for non-native speakers, including HSK-focused Chinese coursework. The curriculum emphasizes global citizenship and cross-cultural awareness as part of a broad educational aim.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) cover nearly 70 options across eight categories. Sports options include equestrian, golf, swimming, rock climbing, ultimate Frisbee, baseball, squash, rugby, hockey, tennis, boxing, football, fitness, and fencing.	Social & hobbies A range of CCAs supports social and hobby development, including Mindful Meditation, an Economics Clinic, a Detective Novel Club, and Digital Products & Car Reviews. The CCAs are designed to complement academic study and help students explore personal interests and collaborative skills. The Band and production elements also provide music and theatre opportunities as part of student life.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service The curriculum includes general education components and elective activities that cover design software, video production, digital literacy, and cultural arts, alongside modules with public welfare and community-related aims. Internship-style experiences in finance, computing, data analysis, and e-commerce are listed as part of the elective offering, contributing to broader social engagement and real-world experience.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional College guidance is provided by Country Garden College Guidance Center, serving middle and senior levels and rooted in primary education. The service includes professional counseling and practical opportunities to access top universities; Country Garden has admitted 94.3% of the world's top 50 universities for five consecutive years, and offers programs such as Ivy League + Elite Camp and Oxsword + Sprints Camp to support university access. In senior school, students focus on their own development with guided planning for next steps.	Leadership & professional Guidance and preparation for higher education are supported by a dedicated university counselling team that helps students gain admission to universities worldwide. The guidance program includes structured activities and ongoing support to develop leadership, study skills, and professional awareness.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Boarding life is inspired by Fettes College UK and combines British traditions with Chinese culture. The pastoral care framework supports student well-being, and safeguarding policies guide safety and welfare. Boarding is led by a mix of Chinese and foreign staff, and the school emphasizes a caring, community-focused environment.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Boarding is available at Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake, with a focus on health, welfare, independent living, and community integration. There is a fully staffed medical centre on site, and boarding life emphasizes personal development, responsibility, and balanced routines alongside academic study.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The curriculum combines Chinese and Western education through a joint venture. The Early Years School uses the IBPYP framework with elements from EYFS, and bilingual reading is available as part of activities. A dual-homeroom system supports an immersive English-language environment.	Language provision The school offers IGCSE, A-levels and international preparatory courses. Compulsory languages include IGCSE English (as Second Language) and Chinese (A-level Chinese) with HSK Chinese for foreign students. Optional languages include A-level Chinese, A-level English, English Literature, General Paper, and Second Language. The curriculum framework includes a 1-year Pre-A level, 2-year IGCSE, and 2-year A-level courses.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school uses a co-teaching model with Chinese and expat teachers who work together to plan lessons and differentiate materials. This cross-cultural approach blends Chinese and Western education.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Boarding is an integral part of the education, providing a truly immersive experience. A dual homeroom system creates an immersive English-language environment.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards (Only awards shown on the school website and awarded to the school in the past five years.) • “Special Contributing School” — awarded at the IB China Education Forum for the IBMYP Curriculum Integration Guide (2023). Significance: a formal recognition from the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Chinese IB Schools Association (CISA) for the school's contribution to curriculum‑integration work; the school's site records it as one of five schools to receive this honour in 2023. • Forbes China — placement on the Forbes China “Internationalised Schools” lists (listed on the school site for multiple recent years; the site cites a 2024 national ranking of 18 and earlier placements in 2022/2023). Significance: these are external rankings reported on the school's site that identify the school among a group of China schools featured by Forbes China in those years. (The school's website text and pages reference its consecutive appearances and the 2024 ranking.) • Hurun list — listed on the school site as one of “Hurun China: Top 20 Most Beautiful International School Campuses” (2022). Significance: Hurun's 2022 recognition for campus aesthetics appears on the school site as an institutional honour.	Awards No school-level awards listed on the school website (past five years): I did not find any entries on the Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake website that present awards given to the school itself in the last five years. The site includes pages for achievements and news and lists various student achievements and the accreditations above, but it does not present a section of awards won by the institution as an organisation. Summary of what I checked and what's missing: I reviewed the school's English and Chinese site pages (including the Accreditation page, About/Major Attributes, Campus/Our Campuses and the site's Achievements/News sections) and found the accreditations above but no items labelled as school awards or institutional honours from the last five years. If you would like, I can (a) check again for any press releases or archived news on the site that might be phrased differently (for example, "honours", "recognition", or local awards in Chinese), or (b) expand the search to authoritative external sources (news sites, local education bureau announcements) if you want confirmation beyond the school's own site.
Accreditations	Accreditations • International Baccalaureate (IB) — Fettes College Guangzhou is listed as an IB World School; the school's IB authorisations and programme coordinators are shown on the official IB directory (school code 062034). Significance: IB authorisation means the school has met IB standards for delivering IB programmes (PYP/MYP as shown on the IB directory). • Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) authorisation — the school's website states it is authorised by CAIE and lists a centre number (School Number CX162). Significance: CAIE authorisation allows the school to offer Cambridge examinations (e.g., IGCSE/A‑level pathways) and indicates compliance with Cambridge's centre requirements. • Boarding Schools Association (BSA) membership — the school's site states it is a member of the BSA (described there as the global boarding‑school association). Significance: BSA membership indicates the school is connected to an international network of boarding institutions and follows related professional/boarding best practices promoted by the association. • “Child‑Safe School” / Safeguarding designation on the school site — the school's pages present a formal safeguarding/child‑protection policy and describe FCG as a Child‑Safe School. Significance: this is an explicit, public school commitment to meet safeguarding standards and to train designated safeguarding leads and staff. (This is a designation and policy published by the school on its site rather than an external accreditation body's certificate.)	Accreditations The school's website lists the following official accreditations (items and dates quoted or paraphrased from the school's “国际认证 / Accreditation” page). 1) CEMC (University of Waterloo) certification — July 2021. One-line significance: CEMC is the University of Waterloo's Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing; being certified means the school is authorised to participate in / administer CEMC mathematics, computing and chemistry competitions and related assessments, which are widely used to benchmark mathematical and computing achievement. 2) Pearson Edexcel Centre (Centre number 94928) — July 2021. One-line significance: Pearson Edexcel is a UK examination board; centre authorisation indicates the school is registered to deliver Edexcel qualifications and to enter students for Edexcel examinations. 3) UCAS official recognition — July 2021. One-line significance: UCAS is the UK's Universities and Colleges Admissions Service; the school's recognition indicates it can support and process students' applications through the official UK university admissions system. 4) Oxford International AQA Examinations centre (Centre number 96278) — November 2021. One-line significance: OxfordAQA is an international exam board (a collaboration involving Oxford University Press and AQA); centre authorisation means the school may administer OxfordAQA international examinations (e.g., international GCSE/A‑level variants). 5) Pearson BTEC Centre (Centre number 95354) — July 2022. One-line significance: BTEC (administered by Pearson) are vocational qualifications; being an authorised BTEC centre allows the school to deliver Pearson BTEC vocational programmes and assessments on campus.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Pre-registration and first contact. Start by completing the school's online pre‑registration (the site asks families to scan the QR code or fill the registration form) so the admissions office can record your interest and assign a dedicated admissions officer. Parents should expect the school to use that officer as their main point of contact for scheduling visits, tests and next steps—keep their contact details and any reference/registration number the school gives. Refer to the school's admissions page for the QR/registration instruction and to ask about current vacancies. 2. Visit / open day (recommended before formal application). The school explicitly asks families to visit campus with the child so you can see curriculum, facilities and pastoral arrangements in person; visits are arranged through the admissions officer. When you book, confirm whether the child should bring school reports, portfolios, or evidence of special talents (art/sport/music) because those can matter for assessment in some years. Bring photo ID for both child and parent to present if requested on arrival. 3. Formal application and documents. After pre‑registration and/or a visit, complete the Student Information Registration Form online and upload the required documents: child's ID (household register, birth certificate or passport), guardian ID/passport, a clear recent photo of the child, and a medical/physical examination report. The admissions page lists those exact document types—prepare certified copies where applicable and check whether originals are needed for verification on registration day. Missing or incomplete documents are a common cause of delay, so confirm the file formats and any translation/notarisation requirements with your admissions officer. 4. Assessment: tests, interview and portfolio. For most entry years the school will invite the child to an assessment that typically includes age‑appropriate testing and an interview or teacher observation; in some cases the school will also request a portfolio or evidence of extracurricular achievement. Ask the admissions officer in advance what the assessment includes for your child's year group (Early Years assessments differ from Year 7 or Year 10 entry). If English is a second language for your child, check whether there is an EAL/ESL assessment stream or additional language support options. 5. Offers, acceptance and deposit. If the assessment and documentation are satisfactory the school will issue an offer (places may be limited by year group). Ask the admissions officer exactly what the offer letter includes—start date, tuition and boarding fees, deposit or payment schedule, and any conditions (for example submission of original documents or medical clearance). Confirm payment methods, deadlines and whether the deposit is refundable or applied to first‑term fees. (The admissions pages recommend communicating with your assigned admissions officer for these details.) 6. Registering and enrolment checklist. On acceptance you will need to complete the final enrolment/registration process (the school lists the same identity and medical documents required at application) and pay the fees required before the start of term. If you are requesting any special arrangements (boarding, dietary needs, medical care, international student paperwork), submit those requests early to the admissions office so the school can make placements and arrangements. If your child holds Chinese school registration (学籍), note the school's national‑exam policy (students with Chinese school registration are in principle required to take the local high school entrance exam unless a waiver is filed). 7. Boarding placement and pastoral induction (if applicable). If you plan boarding, confirm whether places are offered immediately with the academic offer or require a separate application—board placement, house allocation and levies are managed by the boarding office and should be confirmed early. Ask about the boarding ratio of staff to students, whether there are expatriate houseparents, arrival/adaptation schedules and any additional boarding fees or deposits. The school's public pages describe boarding as integral to their model; contact the admissions officer for the boarding‑specific checklist. 8. Transfers and mid‑year entry. The school accepts in‑year transfers/插班生; for transfer students you will be asked for recent school reports and to complete the same assessments to determine placement. If you are moving mid‑year, ask about catch‑up support, course equivalencies (IGCSE/A‑Level/IB alignment) and whether there are any termly intakes with available places. Confirm with admissions what fees are prorated for mid‑term starts and whether waiting lists exist for the requested year group.	Admissions 1. Follow the school's official WeChat and make initial contact. Merchiston Academy Songshan Lake (MAS) asks families to follow its official WeChat account as the first step; the Applications Process page on the school website lists this as Step 1 and this is also where open days, application links and contact details are announced. Parents should follow the account so they receive updates (assessment dates, open-day slots and application-link notices) rather than relying on third‑party summaries. 2. Pay the non‑refundable application fee (RMB 1,000). MAS requires a non‑refundable application fee of RMB 1,000 to progress an application; the Applications Process page shows this as Step 2. Keep the payment receipt and proof of payment — the school asks you to submit proof of payment with the application form and will not proceed with assessment without it. 3. Complete and submit the school application form. Parents should complete every section, including declarations about medical conditions and support needs — incomplete forms slow processing and the school uses the information to plan assessments and pastoral support. 4. Attend the interview and complete entry assessments (or arrange online if necessary). Both parents and the student are normally expected on campus for a face‑to‑face interview; an online interview is an alternative when required (for example, COVID‑related restrictions). Students take the entry assessments (the school specifically lists CAT4 and WIDA among the assessments); prepare copies of recent school reports and expect English proficiency testing (WIDA) and cognitive/ability screening (CAT4). 5. Provide required supporting documents at application or assessment. MAS lists the documents they require: mainland candidates should bring ID cards (international/HK/Macau applicants should provide passports), a recent frontal colour digital photo (two‑inch, white background), the application form, and academic transcripts for the last two years; CVs and certificates of awards are optional but recommended where relevant. The Application Information page also notes the school usually requests a confidential report from the applicant's current school and requires disclosure of any special learning needs so the Head of Section can assess reasonable adjustments. 6. Receiving an outcome, accepting an offer and next administrative steps. The school states parents will receive an offer letter by email within five working days after assessments, and offers should be accepted within five working days; if a candidate is declined they may reapply after six months once recommendations (if any) have been completed. After accepting a place, expect follow‑up steps such as fee‑payment instructions, a medical check on entry and placement decisions (year placement is determined by birth date and assessed ability); consult the school fee policy and the admissions team for payment deadlines and refund/withdrawal rules.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school operates a scholarship programme but the public web pages give only a high‑level description; they state that Fettes has a scholarship system intended to encourage well‑rounded, academically‑strong students. The admissions page notes the existence of scholarships but does not publish detailed eligibility categories, award levels, or the formal application/timetable on that page—families should ask their admissions officer for the current scholarship prospectus, application deadlines and assessment criteria. Independent reporting and school announcements indicate named scholarship categories and significant awards in recent years: for example, a school report published in 2024–2025 records about 60 scholarship recipients whose combined awards totalled close to RMB 7,000,000; the report also describes multiple named scholarships (different tiers and talent‑based awards) and a scholarship review committee that evaluates candidates on academics, conduct, co‑curricular participation and competition results. The school has also publicly described a further‑education scholarship for students who enter certain top global universities, linked to more substantial financial support for university tuition (reported examples appear in school news coverage). These third‑party reports and school news items show scholarships are active and awarded annually, but amounts and specific criteria can change year to year—confirm current programmes and any application dates with the admissions office.	Scholarships MAS publishes a specific scholarship page describing a range of awards and eligibility rules for 2024. The school runs targeted scholarships for different entry points and programmes: (a) A‑Level and DSE one‑year ‘crash‑course' scholarships (full or half tuition) using gaokao/DSE thresholds and interview performance — thresholds on the page show Guangdong candidates with higher listed score cutoffs (for example, A‑Level full scholarship considered at gaokao 500+ with interview; half scholarship at 470+). (b) Middle‑school/new‑student scholarships ("优才新生奖学金") tied to Dongguan Zhongkao scores (examples on the page show full award at a pure culture score of 700, half award at 650) and renewal conditions requiring the student to remain in the top percentage of the year. (c) Awards for outstanding graduates ("优秀毕业生奖学金") and academic/excellence awards (e.g., 20,000–50,000 RMB and other ranges) for students who achieve high university placements or sustained in‑school performance. Each scholarship page links to the application form and a WeChat/MikeCRM application URL; the page also sets renewal conditions (for multi‑year awards) and clarifies that scholarship value usually applies to tuition rather than extras such as boarding, uniform or activity fees — read the scholarship terms closely and contact admissions to confirm current availability and exact amounts.
Waitlist	Waitlist Public information on the school's admissions page refers to a pre‑registration system for families but does not publish a formal waitlist or ‘pool' policy on the website. The site advises families to pre‑register and to contact the admissions officer to arrange visits and assessments; it therefore appears the admissions office manages place availability and any internal waiting arrangements directly rather than publishing a standard public waitlist process. Parents who need clarity about whether a specific year group has a waitlist or how places are prioritised should contact the admissions office and ask for the school's current availability, the procedure for holding a place, and whether a formal waitlist will be used for their child.	Waitlist MAS's published Applications Process states that where there are more candidates than available places, applications will be placed on a waiting list. The site gives no further public detail about waiting‑list ordering, typical wait times, or whether priority is given by application date, assessment score, sibling link or other factors; parents on the waiting list should contact admissions directly (admissions@merchistonacademy.cn or phone 400 999 0978) to ask about their position and any expected timeline. If an application is declined, the school's page also notes a candidate may reapply after six months, provided any recommendations have been followed.
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