Merchant Taylors' School
Northwood · HA6 2HT
Merchant Taylors' School is one of England's oldest and most distinguished boys' day schools, founded in 1561 by the Merchant Taylors' livery company and set on a remarkable 280-acre estate in Northwood, north-west London. The school combines genuine academic rigour with an exceptionally broad co-curricular programme, producing confident, articulate young men who are encouraged to pursue individual strengths rather than conform to a single mould. With strong Oxbridge and Russell Group placement rates and world-class sporting and arts facilities on a campus that feels almost rural despite its London location, MTS offers a rare combination of tradition and forward-thinking education. The school's large grounds and day-only model foster a strong community identity while allowing boys to return to family life each evening.
- →Outstanding academic results with 97% A*–B at GCSE and 70% A*–A at A-level, underpinned by a scholars' programme and genuine intellectual stretch
- →Extraordinary 280-acre campus for a London day school, offering facilities — including extensive sports pitches, arts spaces and science facilities — that rival many boarding schools
- →Strong pastoral infrastructure through house and tutor systems that ensures individual boys are known and supported
- →Exceptional co-curricular breadth including elite sport, CCF, Duke of Edinburgh, drama, music and a vast range of clubs and societies
Who thrives here
Academically able boys who want to be stretched intellectually and are eager to engage broadly with sport, arts, music or other activities in a supportive but high-expectation environment. Boys with curiosity, self-motivation and a willingness to get involved thrive here.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Sandy Lodge, Northwood, Middlesex
Northwood
HA6 2HT
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Edmund Spenser
Poet, author of The Faerie Queene
Clive Anderson
Barrister, television presenter and comedian
Boris Johnson
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Peter Ustinov
Actor, playwright and novelist
Norman Lamont
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer
James Cracknell
Olympic gold-medal-winning rower
Howard Jacobson
Booker Prize-winning novelist
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at Merchant Taylors' School?
Day fees at Merchant Taylors' School are approximately £33,225 per year (2026/27).
How do you get into Merchant Taylors' School?
Merchant Taylors' School admits pupils at 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Merchant Taylors' School's exam results?
At Merchant Taylors' School, 52.9% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 69.6% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Merchant Taylors' School a boarding school?
Merchant Taylors' School is a day school in Northwood and does not offer boarding.
What is Merchant Taylors' School's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated Merchant Taylors' School “Excellent” (2022).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Exceptional teaching quality and genuine intellectual passion among staff who go beyond the curriculum
✓Outstanding facilities and grounds that are genuinely unique for a London day school
✓Strong sense of community and house identity despite the school's size
✓Breadth and quality of co-curricular offering means most boys find a passion beyond the classroom
✓Boys emerge as confident, well-rounded and intellectually curious young men
Common concerns
!The school's location in Northwood can mean long commutes from parts of London, with travel adding to the school day
!Some parents note the school can feel large and that quieter or less self-directed boys may need to advocate for themselves to get the most out of it
!Fees, while not published, are understood to be at the higher end of the London day school market