Introduction

In common with most preparatory schools we provide an enriched and creative academic curriculum as well as wide range of extra curricular activities. Together these play a vital role in helping us to achieve our aims. In essence this means that we provide learning opportunities so that each boy can extend and develop his talents and interests, grow in confidence, fulfil his potential and so become a self-disciplined ‘life-long learner.’

Reception follows the six areas of the EYFS. Years One and Two (Key Stage One) follow a curriculum broadly based on the National Curriculum. Emphasis is placed on Reading, Writing and Mathematics. The boys experience Drama and public speaking through Christmas plays, poetry competitions and class assemblies. Other subjects, History, Geography, Circle Time and Golden Rules, and Science are cross curricular and topic based. Through our curriculum we aim to ensure that every boy reaches his full potential and feels happy, safe and secure.

In the Juniors (Years 3 and 4) most of the 'academic' subjects continue to be taught by the class teachers but subject specialists teach Religious Education, French, PE, Art, Music, Design Technology, ICT and Games. In many of these subjects the classes are divided into smaller groups so that the boys benefit from more specialist attention. Boys also continue with one swimming lesson a week taught by specialist staff at the Merchant Taylors' pool. In January and June, starting in Year 3, boys sit examinations in the most important academic subjects so that they begin to acquire the practical experience of the skills demanded by subject specific papers at a later stage.

In the Middle School (Years 5 and 6) the boys are in two parallel classes and are taught on a 'secondary school' model with specialist teachers for all subjects. Boys study all the subjects they have previously studied.In addition, from 2010, boys in Year 5 have one scheduled period of Drama per week. Boys then begin the formal study of Latin in Year 6. In many subjects the two classes are divided into three separate teaching groups. In Mathematics the groups are sorted by ability but in other subjects - English, French, Science, DT and PE - we maintain a 'mixed ability' approach which is based upon the firm belief that the 'less able' boys benefit greatly from learning alongside the 'gifted and talented'. Our LDD co-ordinator continues to provide extra help - both by supporting boys in lesson and on occasions withdrawing them - to pupils who need it, especially in the key Literacy and Numeracy skills.

Once the boys reach Year 7 they are divided into three smaller classes, of approximately 15 pupils each. There is one top 'scholarship' class which is composed of the ablest boys academically and aims to prepare pupils for the most taxing examination questions in each subject. The other boys are divided into two parallel 'middle classes' and continue to be taught all the specialist subjects. Since Merchant Taylors' have now abandoned separate scholarship examination papers there is no reason why late developers from these middle classes cannot achieve major academic awards in Year 8. In Year 8, however, we do regroup boys from these two  classes to create a separate class of boys who are not aiming to get into Merchant Taylors.' This means that we can focus upon the specific demands of the papers set by other local independent schools such as Mill Hill, John Lyon and Berkhamsted. These boys no longer study Latin and have extra periods in English, Mathematics and Science.The other class continues with the Year 7 curriculum and focuses upon preparing boys for the Merchant Taylors' examinations which, uniquely, have papers in all the academic subjects.