Merchant Taylor’s School Review: Rankings, Fees And More

Merchant Taylors’ School is an HMC Independent Day School located in Sandy Lodge, Northwood. Serving boys aged 11-18, the school is known for its excellent academic track record, beautiful county campus and wide selection of extracurricular offerings. Let us explore what makes this school a hot destination among London-based families and beyond.

merchant taylors' school review

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Summary Of School

  • Type of school: All Boys
  • Age range: 3-18
  • Pupils: 1,100
  • Fees: £9,870 per term (Day fee)
  • 2024 A-Level Results: 71.1% A*-A
  • 2024 GCSE Results: 87.7% 9-7

Table of Contents

Merchant Taylors' School Overview

At Merchant Taylors’ School, you can get the best of both worlds— The convenience and comfort of London just 45 minutes away, and being surrounded by nature in a breathtaking campus nestled in the edges of the Hertfordshire county.

Since its founding in 1561, the school has upheld its longstanding tradition of providing quality education and enrichment programmes. The school has played a role in shaping the success of many of its alumni, fondly known as Old Merchant Taylors. These past graduates have went on to become famous actors, poets, professors, politicians, religious leaders and more.

Merchant Taylors' School Courses And Programmes

Merchant Taylors’ School offers a diverse range of courses tailored to students at different stages of their education journey.

11+ Entry

At 11+ (Senior School) entry, students undertake a challenging and stimulating curriculum designed to prepare them for success in their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations. Core subjects including English language, English literature, mathematics, and science are complemented by a diverse range of options such as humanities, modern foreign languages, arts, and physical education.

16+ Entry

At Sixth Form, a wide range of A Levels subjects are offered, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests and career aspirations. Studies are rigorous and comprehensive, designed to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed at the tertiary education level and beyond. The Sixth Form experience at Merchant Taylor’s School empowers students to become independent learners, critical thinkers, and responsible global citizens ready to make a positive impact on the world.

Merchant Taylors' School Application Deadline

The school has high academic standards and is extremely selective. Parents are encouraged to apply early as there is usually a long waiting list. Here are the latest application deadlines for each key year of entry:

11+ Application Deadline: 31 October 2024

16+ Application Deadline:  7 October of the year preceding entry

Merchant Taylors' School Rankings And Results

In 2024, 71.1% of A Level grades were A*-A and 87.7% of GCSE grades were 9-7. These outstanding results are a testament to the academic standards and level of competitiveness of students who are enrolled at MTS.

Merchant Taylors' School Fees

For 2024/2025 entry, the fees are as follows:

Registration fee: £180 (inc. VAT)
Acceptance deposit: £1,000
Administration fee: £60 (inc. VAT)

School fees include OMT lifetime membership. Fees are paid on a termly basis as outlined below: 

Termly tuition fee (ex. VAT)Termly tuition fee (inc. VAT)
£8,225£9,870

School lunch is a compulsory element of education at Merchant Taylors’. Lunches are charged at £321 per term.

Merchant Taylors' School Entry Requirements

Due to the competitiveness of the school, spots are extremely limited and selection is based on academic merit and on an assessment of the student’s likely positive contribution to the school. The usual requirements apply, such as past academic transcripts, entrance interviews, verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests, minimum subject grade requirements and more.

Merchant Taylors' School Reviews

Puneet Gupta
5/5

“Excellent school. Teachers look after students. Beautiful campus. Best all-round development.”

Will H.
5/5

“Impressive school with wonderful facilities. Turns out lovely young people.”

Brett Harvey
5/5
“MTS has the best cricket pitches in the area.”

Merchant Taylors' School Houses

At Merchant Taylors’ School, the house system plays a vital role in fostering community spirit and friendly competition among students. Here’s an overview of the eight houses:

  1. Spenser (Yellow): Founded in 1921, named after Edmund Spenser, the renowned poet from the Elizabethan era.

  2. Raphael (formerly Clive) (Red): Originally founded as Clive in 1921 and renamed Raphael in 2021. Named after Jack Raphael, a prominent sportsman, this change followed historical discussions prompted by social movements.

  3. Hilles (Dark Blue): Established in 1921 and named after Richard Hilles, a humanist and co-founder of the school.

  4. Walter (Light Blue): Founded in 1946, named after John Walter, the founder of The Times newspaper.

  5. Mulcaster (Orange): Also founded in 1946, named after Richard Mulcaster, the first Head Master of the school.

  6. White (White): Established in 1921, named after Thomas White, who was Lord Mayor of London and a significant figure in the school’s founding.

  7. Andrewes (Purple): Founded in 1946, named after Lancelot Andrewes, known for his role in translating the Authorised Version of the Bible.

  8. The Manor of the Rose (Green): Established in 1946, named after the original school building in Suffolk Lane, which also served as a boarding house.

Each house not only bears a distinctive color but also carries the legacy of its namesake, promoting a sense of pride and camaraderie among students through various inter-house competitions and activities.

Merchant Taylors' School Student Services and Extracurricular Activities

Pastoral Care

Merchant Taylors’ School has a dedicated pastoral care team and pastoral care system to ensure every student thrives, especially during the challenging teenage years. Everyone in the school is like family, and each play a role to ensure that students get to study and thrive in a safe environment.

Teachers and carers are deeply invested in the welfare of pupils. They form a strong network of support centred on the tutor system and House communities, ensuring each student enjoys a positive experience throughout their time at Taylors’. Tutors play a central role, supported by Heads of Section, the Chaplain, and the School Counsellor. Students and parents can reach out independently and confidentially to these resources for guidance and assistance. The school also adopts a peer-led system where older students mentor younger ones, fostering supportive relationships that contribute to a nurturing school environment.

Sport

Spread across more than 200 acres of stunning playing fields and facilities, MTS offers exceptional opportunities for a wide range of sports and activities. From cricket nets to heated indoor pools, floodlit hockey pitches to lakes for sailing and windsurfing, the school’s amenities cater to diverse interests and passions. State-of-the-art facilities include floodlit tennis courts, squash and fives courts, and a modern athletics track, all contributing to a dynamic sports programme.

For those who want to take their sporting passion to the next level, Merchant Taylors’ boasts competitive school teams in Basketball, Cricket, Fives, Golf, Hockey, Judo, Rugby, Sailing, Shooting, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, and Tennis. Specialist coaches are available across all disciplines, ensuring every student receives expert guidance and support, regardless of their level of experience or ability.

Clubs And Societies

Merchant Taylors’ School offers a wide range of clubs and societies to cater to different interests and passions. For the full list, visit their website.

Music

MTS takes music seriously. With 19 different ensembles currently active, including two jazz bands, various chamber music groups, and multiple choirs, bands, and orchestras, there’s something to cater to every musical interest. Nearly a quarter of the student body participates in instrumental lessons or singing sessions provided by 21 visiting music teachers each week. Many students also engage in music lessons outside of school, enriching the school’s extracurricular music programme.

Throughout the year, the music department hosts a series of evening concerts, ranging from informal showcases to major musical events. Highlights include the Autumn Concert and the Carol Service in the Autumn term, featuring a biennial Musical Theatre collaboration with St Helen’s School. The Spring term features an annual concert at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in the City, culminating in a Spring Concert where combined choirs perform large-scale choral works.

Drama

Drama holds a prestigious tradition at Merchant Taylors’ School, a legacy enriched by luminaries such as Thomas Kyd, John Webster, and James Shirley. Students at MTS engage with drama both within the curriculum and as a vibrant extracurricular pursuit.

As an extracurricular activity, students can immerse themselves in various roles—from acting and directing to backstage production—throughout the year. The school stages two major productions annually: one in the grand setting of the Great Hall (alternating years feature a musical) and another in the intimate Studio Theatre. Recent productions have ranged from iconic musicals like “FAME” and “Les Misérables” to captivating dramas such as “Enron,” “Macbeth,” and “Our Country’s Good,” often in collaboration with St. Helen’s School.

Merchant Taylors’ also supports students aspiring to join the National Youth Theatre and attend Drama Schools, with several students securing coveted spots each year. Notably, members of the A Level Theatre Studies cohort have successfully gained admission to renowned institutions like the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Merchant Taylors' School Contact Information

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