MTS Online Prospectus

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For boys 11-18

“The educational experience we offer is underpinned by five key values: inspiration, confidence, innovation, courage and joy.”

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Why Merchant Taylors’? “Innovation and excellence”

W elcome to Merchant Taylors’. We hope this prospectus will give you a flavour of the unique education we offer and the links to our website will enable you to learn much more. Merchant Taylors’ School offers an outstanding education, where academic success is balanced by breadth of achievement. Pupils are inspired to reach the highest standards, whilst supported and encouraged. The educational experience we offer is underpinned by five key values: Inspiration - Boys are inspired by creative and dedicated teachers to achieve academic excellence. It is this which motivates boys to strive harder and realise their full potential. Confidence - We instil confidence in the classroom, the orchestra, the stage and on the playing field. It is this which enables boys to not only go on to the best universities and courses but later find success wherever they choose to look for it.

Innovation - We find new ways and new technologies to bring out the best in everyone. This is characterised by a detailed and dynamic approach to teaching and learning. Courage - Pupils are encouraged to be courageous in embracing challenges of all kinds and approach each personal test with confidence. Joy - Individual growth is born from outstanding achievement, opportunity and happiness. Merchant Taylors’ offers all three in abundance and so provides a civilised education where the talents of each individual can flourish. We would be delighted to welcome you to one of our Open Mornings, or if you would prefer, on a private tour. I very much look forward to meeting you.

Please see our Virtual Tour

Simon Everson Head Master

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Scholarship

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Inspiration drives outstanding academic performance

Academic distinction Our boys achieve outstanding results in a civilised and unpressured atmosphere. They are also inspired by the marvellous facilities and beautiful natural setting. The Good Schools Guide describes the School as: “a rare breed, an academic school with a wonderfully cool feel; understands there is more to academic excellence than great exam results”. The 2022 Inspection reported that: “There is a culture in the school where pupils are confident to speak out on intellectual matters and display mature skills of reflection. This is supported by a skilled staff body who teach with pace and high expectations.”

Outstanding teaching Boys love subjects but remember teachers. And they best remember teachers who celebrate originality, inspiration, and intuition. The Good Schools Guide comments: ‘Teaching is clearly a major strength, with teachers going the extra mile for those who are struggling and for those who need stretching”. The 2022 Inspection reported that: “Pupils of all abilities, including those with SEND and EAL, make rapid progress at all levels, and their achievements in relation to their abilities are high.”

“Pupils make rapid progress in their academic studies. This is a result of a strong desire to succeed in public examinations combined with high expectations from teachers ...”

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2022

Marcus-Alexander Neil Class of 2008 University of Oxford Carbon Programme Lead, Global Aviation at Shell

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Confidence grows from success and is fostered by a superb pastoral system

The individual boy There is no simple definition of a Merchant Taylors’ pupil. We cultivate and nurture the diverse talents and personalities of every boy; we do not look to impose a pre conceived model. This gives every boy the opportunity to find his own niche, develop at his own pace and thereby build confidence. This is all overseen by a tutor who will accompany each boy on his journey. Our underlying aim is that every boy is happy and fulfilled in his schooling. Indeed, the teaching faculty is united in the belief that a pupil who is at ease with himself achieves that much more.

Lawrence Xu Class of 2012 University of Cambridge

Credit Trader at Goldman Sachs

“Pupils are self-confident and rise to the challenges the school offers them, particularly through its extensive and wide-ranging programme of pupil-led clubs and societies.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2022

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Sport

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Innovation We search out new ways to provide opportunity and challenge, drawing upon the latest technologies

Technology and innovation are at the heart of a MTS education with all subjects embracing digital learning. Whether it is CAD in Design, Engineering & Technology, algorithmic generation of virtual worlds in Computer Science or pronunciation software in Modern Languages, the boys have access to the very latest innovations in learning. In addition, the School’s facilities continue to be upgraded. After the recent opening of the Sir Edward Evans Geography Building, a stunning new Cricket Centre (in partnership with Middlesex CCC) is due for completion in 2023.

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Merchant Taylors’ School

VEX Robotics is hugely popular and MTS Robotics teams, one of whom won the National Championships, have enjoyed further success at the World Championships in the USA.

Nick Telson Class of 2002

University of Nottingham Tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Designmynight & Horseplay Ventures

“Pupils are at ease using technology on a day-to-day basis to help their organisation and to extend their learning, as a result of gaining a very good grounding in ICT.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2022

Digital Learning

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Merchant Taylors’ School

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Courage We invite boys to challenge themselves to excel, both in and out of the classroom

We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities so that boys can stretch themselves and forge their characters beyond their comfort zone. As well as Sport, Music and Drama there is CCF, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, overseas trips, charitable activities (such as Phab where the boys care for severely disabled young people) and much more. It is this wider enrichment which gives boys so much more than an academic education; it allows them to push their own limits.

“Pupils eagerly take on leadership opportunities which the school provides.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2022

Will Porter Class of 2017 University of Northumbria Rugby player at London Wasps

CCF Gun Run

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Joy A positive, dynamic atmosphere lifts the pupils’ hearts

A visitor to MTS will discover a civilised community fizzing with activity. This allows boys to settle into their new school quickly and establish wide-ranging friendships across different year groups. We seek to produce lifelong learners who can adapt in a fast-changing world by acquiring new skills at any time.

“The pupils’ social awareness and ability to work effectively with others is excellent.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2022

Music

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Merchant Taylors’ School

credit Gerard Collett

Keval Shah Class of 2010

University of Cambridge Pianist, broadcaster and lecturer at the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki

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Merchant Taylors’ School

“Pupils are exceptionally well driven to succeed, and this motivates them to work hard.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2022

Careers

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A Network for Life A Merchant Taylors’ education produces young men of good character who thrive at university and in their chosen career

Employability Merchant Taylors’ has a world-class Careers Office which gives pupils the chance to explore, debate and practise as well as receive guidance on future opportunities. This includes how and when to access them, including telephone and face to face interviews, employer competencies, assessment centres, psychometrics and managing one’s public profile.

Support for our pupils doesn’t end when they leave us. OMTs are encouraged to stay in contact with the School and have access to our network of alumni and parents. Many support our events and come back to the School to talk to current pupils about their professions.

Ameer Kotecha Class of 2010 University of Oxford Diplomat, journalist and author

Dr Umar Nasser Class of 2010 Imperial College, London Medic, activist and commentator

Tariq Attia Class of 2008 University of Reading Private equity investor and Director at IW Capital

Philip Kelvin Class of 2011 Durham University Fintech entrepreneur and founder of Tranch

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Scholarships Recognising and developing excellence across education

in the School. Music Scholarships also carry remission of fees and free Music lessons whilst awards in practical subjects such as Sport, Drama, Art and Design & Technology bring enrolment to a dedicated gifted and talented programme. The School seeks to reward talent of all kinds, recognising that boys have a wide variety of skills.

Generous scholarships that recognise outstanding talent are available for both academic excellence and all-round talent likely to lead to a significant contribution to the broader life of the School. The top scholars are invited to join the Scholarship programme and boys are also enrolled as a result of strong performance when they are

For more information, please see here:

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Fee Support Fee assistance is available at all entry points

on independent assessment and performance in the admissions process. The School recognises that additional expense may also be a challenge and, where appropriate, a contribution to the costs of transport, school uniform and trips is available.

Since its foundation in 1561, Merchant Taylors’ has sought to enable talented boys to benefit from the wonderful opportunities of its educational provision, regardless of their financial background. Fee assistance is available at all entry points and is based

Changing lives: the Head Monitor’s story

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Merchant Taylors’ School

A Boys’ School, a Co-educational Experience The best of both worlds

Phab, a charity which has seen Merchant Taylors’ boys and St Helen’s girls help physically and mentally challenged teenagers every year since 1971. Our boys leave school with strong personal values that include humility and respect for all. We are therefore able to offer the boys the best of both worlds: a first class academic grounding allied to immense opportunities to forge their character.

Although Merchant Taylors’ is a boys’ school, it is able to draw on its links with local girls’ schools to provide a huge number of opportunities for boys and girls to collaborate. There are regular Drama and Music productions in which boys and girls perform together, as well as trips, language exchanges, the Combined Cadet Force and Careers events. Maybe the most telling example of such collaboration is

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“Pupils are aware of their agency in decision making regarding relationships and this has been supported by a recent joint one-day conference with a local independent girls’ school which focused on relationships and consent.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2022

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The Triennial Service at St Paul’s Cathedral

Triennial Service at St Paul’s Cathedral

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Merchant Taylors’ School

A Proud Tradition A rich heritage dating back 450 years

The School enjoys close links with the Merchant Taylors’ Company, which, to this day, constitutes its Governing Body. The School holds a triennial service of commemoration, where the entire Merchant Taylors’ community meet in St Paul’s Cathedral (pictured). The School Archive contains the Goad Library (a magnificent collection of great works) and there are regular displays for the boys to allow them to appreciate the tradition of which they are part. The School looks very much towards the 21st century but with an important emphasis on those traditions which have served it well for over 450 years.

The School has enjoyed a distinguished history since its foundation by the Merchant Taylors’ Company in 1561. It was one of the nine original public schools that formed the basis of the work of the Clarendon Commission of 1861 and the subsequent Public Schools Act. In 1933, the School moved from central London to its present superb, rural setting of 285 acres in Northwood. Its pupils have achieved distinction throughout its history, from playwright Thomas Kyd and poet Edmund Spenser in the sixteenth century to former Chief of the Defence Staff Baron Jock Stirrup and Oscar-winning actor Riz Ahmed.

Merchant Taylors’ Hall in the City, home of the Merchant Taylors’ Company

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Merchant Taylors’ School

A stunning campus A magnificent site within easy reach of central London

The school site consists of more than 285 acres, of which over 60 have been shaped into playing fields, providing outstanding opportunities for all sports. There are cricket nets, a heated indoor pool, two floodlit water-based hockey pitches, lakes for sailing and windsurfing, floodlit hard tennis courts, squash courts, an athletics track and the central, magnificent playing fields. We are one of only two schools in the country to host first-class cricket fixtures and we are the home of Middlesex Youth Cricket. In 2013 and 2015 the Australian Test team chose to prepare for the Ashes at MTS, practising with our 1st XI. In addition, we host triathlon, 10k running and handball events. It is thanks to such impressive facilities and wonderful surroundings that boys can grow at their own pace and embrace the values at the heart of the School.

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Merchant Taylors’ School

“The school offers grounds which are well used beyond the classroom as an environment that helps pupils to be calm and create opportunities to stop and think.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2022

The lake at Merchant Taylors’

Four Seasons at MTS

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Your Invitation

We invite you to come and get a feel for Merchant Taylors’ yourself. We would be delighted to show you round on an individual tour or welcome you to a Saturday Open Morning in September or May. A walk around the campus usually takes an hour, but we suggest to allow longer if you wish to see all of the grounds, lakes and sports fields.

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Please visit our Admissions section for more information

To prepare for your visit you can discover more detailed information about any aspect of school life at www.mtsn.org.uk

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Getting to MTS

We run several coach routes: (Maximum journey time one hour) Ealing (two routes) Beaconsfield/Gerrards Cross St John’s Wood/Hampstead Highgate/Hampstead Garden Suburb Harpenden/St Albans Wembley/Harrow/Pinner Mill Hill/Edgware/Hatch End Elstree/Radlett Barnet/Stanmore/Arkley

Tube Metropolitan line to Moor Park (35 minutes from Baker Street)

Overground train Chiltern Line from Marylebone to Rickmansworth or to Harrow-on-the-Hill and change onto Metropolitan Line

Road 10 minutes from M1 (junction 5) and M25 (junctions 17 or 18)

You can reach us by:

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Getting to MTS

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Merchant Taylors’ School

Merchant Taylors’ School Admissions Office

Tel. +44 (0)1923 845514 Email. admissions@mtsn.org.uk

Merchant Taylors’ School, Sandy Lodge, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2HT

www.mtsn.org.uk