The Senior School (Years 7 & 8)

In Year Seven, boys are divided into three smaller classes. Currently in Year Seven there is one class of our ablest boys, all of whom are potentially of scholarship standard. The other classes are parallel in ability. All three pursue an identical curriculum. At the end of Year Seven the boys in the parallel classes are re-divided into two classes depending on their choice of senior school. The overwhelming majority of our pupils are prepared for entry examinations to the local day independent schools, but some boys are prepared for Common Entrance for boarding schools.

Boys sit entrance examinations in the Spring term for Merchant Taylors’ and other senior schools in the Spring Term. All schools set papers in English, French, Maths and Science, a number, including Merchant Taylors’, also examine candidates in Geography, History and Religious Studies.

During the May activity week, Year 7 stay at a Chateau in Normandy, enjoying visits to medieval Rouen, the First World War Battlefields at Vimy Ridge and the Aquarium at Bourloign. The Year 8 boys enjoy an Outdoor Education Week at Knapp House, a specialist centre on the North Devon Coast near Bideford.

Our senior boys enjoy a wide range of activities and responsibilities. All Year 8 boys take on various duties as House Prefects, as well as all the sporting and music opportunities, many boys take part in drama and a range of specialist activities e.g. Science Club, Portfolio Club and Digital Art. Another popular activity is the annual Northwood 500 Competition, which features an Inter-House competition using our purpose built assault course in one of our woodland areas.