Merchant Taylor or St Pauls?

[TheDarkKnightRises]

Sorry new at this thx for the advise!

[Dustylaw]

I don't know either school through experience but only by repute and people I know who've been there - all well educated by the way and nice enough. Both excellent schools though clearly different - how about you apply to both, be very pleased if you're accepted, and work out which is more convenient in case you get offers from both. I'm sure you'll be visiting both and frankly that is the best way to get to know how you feel about each one - it may take more than one visit though and also your opinion might change as you experience how they handle the whole admissions/exams stage. Of course, you would also expect those recommending them could explain their reasons so worth asking if you haven't already.

[breadandbutterfly]

They're miles apart! Surely one or both must be a vv long commute if you are considering both! Is that not a factor?

[timmytoes]

I would say St Pauls is much more academic and thereby harder to get into. The catchment area for St Pauls is huge, both north and south of the river so friends could live many miles away in deepest Surrey .

[ChazsGoldAttitude]

Both schools have a good reputation and are academic. MT has a reputation for being a bit more nuturing than StP. StP is more urban than MT as well and I know some parents have chosen MT partly because they think their sons will enjoy the less urban environment. I think you need to go and see both schools and get a sense of where your DS will fit in best. A good prep head should help too.

[TheDarkKnightRises]

Thank u all for your comments. breadandbutterfly - we currently have a place near StP but would consider moving to Berkshire if DS goes to MT. Can anyone recommend any girls schools near either of the two schools mentioned?

[Needmoresleep]

Loads near St Pauls Boys. The area is private school central.

St Pauls Girls, Godophin and Latymer, Putney High, Latymer Upper (co-ed), Notting Hill and Ealing High, Wimbledon High, Ibstock (co-ed) Harrodian (co-ed) South Hampstead High, 2x Francis Holland, More House, 3 x schools beginning with "Queens..", St James, Kingston Grammar (co-ed), Emanuel and more. Girls will also travel to City of London Girls and buses to Dulwich (JAGs and Alleyns) run from Kensington.

Pay your money and make your choice.....

[breadandbutterfly]

Near MT - St Helen's, Habs, North London...assuming from your post it has to be private.

[TheDarkKnightRises]

Yes looking at private for the girls too, but have a very academic one and a middle of the row one. Could you tell me which are more academic and which are neutering?

[Eastpoint]

Do you want to move to Berkshire? If you want to move go, you only have one life & if you don't like living near SPS will never be happy as will always want more space etc. if happy to live in London suggest you go to all the Open Days etc and try to establish where your children will be happiest/get in.

Harrodian got fab GCSE results this year and is v strong at drama/music but some people still look down on it.

If your children are currently at private schools go & talk to the Head about where they think they will be happy and take note of what they say. If they say 'has a chance on the right day' that does not mean they are a dead cert for a school.

[BagLady75]

Another factor is the admissions timetable. St Pauls interviews boys in Yr 6 and makes conditional offers (or not) a few weeks later. MT assesses in Yr 8. Assuming you are looking at 13+?

[Rosesinmyhair]

Just a thought - MT is not very near to Berkshire?

[TheDarkKnightRises]

Baglady75 - yes looking at 13+. The school my DS is at currently feel he could get a scholarship at MTs and are confident he will be able to get into that school. StPs interview will be from early next yr.
Rosesinmyhair - sorry not sure what I was thinking I meant to write Buckinghamshire.

[interest]

If you already live in the area, and your son shows a sustained interest in academic subjects, then you should definitely go for St Paul's. The quality of the teaching is astounding. it's nurturing too, though there's a heavy work load

[happygardening]

I know nothing about MT but looked at St Pauls for my DS (my DH went there) IMO it is a fabulous school living completely in the 21 st. No fussy uniform, no meaningless ritual and in the new building plan there I believe there not even building a chapel. They go far beyond the curriculum and my GH will testify even many years ago all the teaching was amazing as all were experts in there fields. The opportunities were fantastic with clubs extra curricular activities to suit all. Im sure as interest says the work load is heavy but which super selective isn't? My son got a place but we wanted to boarding so goes to another super selective and they are working their socks off.
My only concern is that I got the feeling that if you didn't shine in a subject/extra curricular activity then you would be discouraged from doing it. My DH was when he was there liked art but showed no articular flare for it so was virtually prevented from doing it ironically he now draws as part of his job and is very good at it and a throw away comment about those allowed to play rackets rather backed out this view up, on close questioning we felt that nothing had changed. But I still think its a wonderful school for the right person.

[happygardening]

DH not GH!

[TheDarkKnightRises]

Thanks happygardening your comments have been very useful. Interest- I need to be both happy with DS school but have daughters who I need to find appropriate schools for too. In the process of establishing them at the moment.