What are the deadlines for applying to Merchant Taylor’s?

Merchant Taylor’s have the following deadlines for their entry and examinations at different age groups.

11+ Exam: Wednesday 6th December 2023 (year 6) Register by 31st October 2023 (year 6).

13+ Exam: Saturday 2nd December 2023 (year 6) Register by 30th June 2023 (year 5).

16+ Exam: Monday 6th November 2023 (year 11) Register by 7th October 2023 (year 11).

11+ & 16+: All Bursary & Subject Scholarship applications must be received by 30th September the year before entry.

13+: All Bursary applications must be received by 30th September of year 6.

All Subject Scholarship applications must be received by 30th September, the year before entry (year 8).

What is the admissions process for 11+ entry?

Boys must register with the school and completed forms regarding bursaries must be received by 30th September, the year before entry to the school.

Scholarships to the school are available and more details can be found here.

It's worth noting that academic and all-rounder scholarships are not applied for and students are awarded these on the basis of performance in the entrance exams.

Once a boy is registered there is a fee of £150 for registration and the family must provide a copy of the applicant’s birth certificate and passport.

Towards the end of November, the school will contact each family if they wish the applicant to sit for the entrance exams. These are taken at the end of Year 6 and consist of:

English (1 hour)
Mathematics (1 hour)
MTS General Paper (1 hour)

What happens next?

Those applicants who are successful in the exams are then called for an interivew at the school. This takes place in late January / early February. Interviews are 1:1 with a member of staff and last around 25-30 mins. According to the school “The interview will “assess four areas – communication; intellectual curiosity; reasoning and extra-curricular commitment”.

After the interview each applicant will receive either-

a letter making your son an offer of a place (including details of Scholarships and Bursary awards if applicable)
An offer of a place on the waiting list.

To accept this place, a deposit of £1,050 is paid to the school. £600 is taken off the first term’s fees and £400 is returned at the end of the child’s journey at the school. £50 is a non-refundable administration fee.

What is the admissions process for 13+ entry?

Visiting the School

You can attend Open Mornings in September and May, book a private tour with a senior student, or order a School Prospectus online.

Registration (for Year 7 entry):

Families must complete the registration form, pay a £150 registration fee and submit a copy of your son's birth certificate and passport. The deadline for this is June 30th in Year 5.

In July of Year 5, the school will confirm whether your son's name has been placed on the Interview List.

Interviews are conducted online in September/October of Year 6. They assess communication, intellectual curiosity, reasoning, and extra-curricular commitment.

After the Interview families may receive an invitation to sit for the Qualifying Examinations (requires a £50 fee) or a letter indicating doubts about your son's performance.

These main exams are held in December of Year 6, covering English, Mathematics, and MTS General Paper.

In mid-February, some parents receive offers of admission, while others may be told that an offer cannot be made. Some may receive offers to be placed on a waiting list.

To accept the place, a preliminary deposit of £1,000 is paid. In Year 7, a further deposit of £1,000 is required.

The table below from the Merchant Taylor’s website helpfully sets out the distinction between 11+ and 13+ entry.

What is the difference between Admissions at 11+ and 13+?

11+ admissions continues to focus on a primary school intake with the aim of admitting approximately 70 boys in to Year 7. 13+ remains the main intake of the School, with up to 80 places available , the majority of intake being from 13+ Prep Schools. Approximately 25 boys also join from Merchant Taylors’ Prep.

The processes remain distinct, as per the table below:

What is the admissions process for 16+ entry?

Parents are encouraged to visit the school before applying. Open Mornings are held twice a year, in May and September. Additionally, individual tours hosted by a Sixth Former can be arranged.

Applicants are generally expected to be 16 years of age by September 1st of the year they plan to enter the school. The deadline for registration is October 7th of the year before entry. There is a registration fee of £150. On acceptance of a conditional offer, a deposit of £1050 is required. This deposit is partially allocated to tuition fees and is refundable if the conditions of the offer are not met.

The assessment process involves three components:

Written assessments in four subjects intended for study at A level, taken in November of Year 11.
A reference from the applicant's current school, requested directly from the school.
Interviews with specialists in the subjects the applicant wishes to study at A Level, as well as a general interview with a senior staff member. These interviews are held in early December.

Conditional offers are made based on performance in all three elements of the assessment process. Parents are informed of the outcome in December of Year 11. Offers are confirmed upon receipt of final GCSE (or equivalent) results in August. Conditional offers specify the required grades for entry confirmation.

Up to two Academic Scholarships, which can cover up to 50% of the fees, may be awarded based on performance in interviews and entrance examinations. Scholarship recipients are expected to maintain a high level of academic effort and achievement.

For Art, DE&T (Design and Technology), Music, and Sports Scholarships, parents can express their interest through the Admission Office. This may lead to an informal meeting with the relevant Head of Department.

The school offers means-tested bursarial support to parents who require financial assistance. This support can cover up to 100% of the fees. Parents should request an application form from the Admissions Office and submit it with the necessary supporting documentation by September 30th in the year preceding entry. Applications are assessed by Bursary Administration Limited.