About Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood is a boys independent day school in London. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need. GCSE 9-7: 90%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood Admissions Criteria
Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood is a boys independent day school in London. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about his interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether him child has been offered a place at Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood
Step 1 — Visit Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) in Northwood, North West London
Visit Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) in Northwood, North West London — arrange a personal tour or attend an Open Event
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your son's current school
Step 5 — Your son sits the 11+ entrance assessment at MTS Northwood
Your son sits the 11+ entrance assessment at MTS Northwood
Step 6 — Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 7 — Following assessment, offers are communicated
Following assessment, offers are communicated
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Independent Subjects Tested at Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood
Scholarships & Bursaries at Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships. Assisted Places Scheme: ~£1 million/year in bursaries across MTS schools, up to 100% of fees.
Outcome announced: Assisted Places Scheme: ~20% of pupils benefit from free or reduced-fee places. ~17% of senior school pupils receive assistance up to 100% of annual fees.
Additional notes: Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood is an independent boys' day school in Northwood, North West London (founded 1561 by the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors). One of nine schools linked to the Worshipful Company. Motto: 'Concordia Parvae Res Crescunt' (Small things grow in harmony). Member of HMC.
Academic Results at Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School is one of the leading academic independent boys' schools in the country, with an outstanding record of GCSE and A-Level results and university destinations.
- Academic outcomes: results are consistently among the strongest in the UK, with the great majority of grades at the highest levels.
- Destinations: large numbers of leavers progress to Oxbridge, other Russell Group universities and leading US institutions each year.
- Support: academic and other scholarships, together with means-tested bursaries, help widen access.
The school publishes its latest results each summer; confirm current figures on its website.
Catchment Area for Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood
As an independent school, Merchant Taylors' School has no fixed catchment area — places are offered on the basis of the entrance assessment rather than where a family lives.
- Where pupils come from: the school draws families from north-west London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and the surrounding area to its Sandy Lodge site in Northwood.
- Transport: an extensive coach network and nearby Underground and rail links serve a wide area.
Pastoral Care & Co-curricular Life at Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School combines academic challenge with strong pastoral care and an exceptionally broad co-curricular programme across its extensive grounds.
- Pastoral care: a house and tutor system supports each boy's wellbeing and progress through the school.
- Co-curricular: a wide range of sport (with strong rugby, cricket and rowing traditions), music, drama, CCF and clubs.
- Access: means-tested bursaries and scholarships help support families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merchant Taylors' School a state grammar school?
No. Despite the historic name, it is an independent (fee-paying) day school for boys; entry is by the school's own assessment rather than the state 11-plus.
What does the entrance exam involve?
Entry to Year 7 is via the school's own 11+ entrance examination in English and Mathematics, followed by an interview, with a reference from the current school.
Where is the school?
Merchant Taylors' is on its Sandy Lodge site in Northwood, on the Middlesex/Hertfordshire border in north-west London.
Are scholarships and bursaries available?
Yes — the school offers academic and other scholarships and means-tested bursaries; details are on its website.
Independent Practice Papers for Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood
Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood uses ISEB Common Pre-Test format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) Northwood 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.