Merchant Taylor Prep, Northwood

[Seashells24]

My DS is currently in the pre-prep years at St Martin's in Northwood. I'm seriously considering looking at MTP at the 7+ entry for DS because I feel that being at MTP will provide him a better chance at going onto MTS vs boys from St Martins/St Johns. Parents of MTP boys: would you say the culture at MTP is nurturing as well as focus on academia? SM has a very nurturing aspect and DS is happy, but I'm trying to think long term...as I have seen and heard the 11+ are super hard and competitive, so maybe being at MTP will help eliminate some of that pressure... any advice?

St Martin’s literally exists to get boys into the top academic schools at 11 and 13. They had 19 MTS offers at 11+ and 24 offers at 13+ last year. Practically the entire year group. It’s literally a feeder school. If your son can’t get in from St Martin’s then MTS is not the right school for him.

It would be a little ridiculous to move him if you and he are happy at St Martin’s.

If he is pre prep I think that is age 4/5? If yes I'd move him as I believe MT have now changed their policy and everyone from their prep goes to senior (they weed out the weaker candidates much earlier on). He will have continuity and no 11+ stress. MT is a really lovely school and I had a warm feeling when I went to visit, it was the nicest out of all of the private boys school.

Thank you both. On the flipside, for the boys already at MTP, yes they will get the continuity without the 11+ stress but would they not fall behind if other boys join MTS from feeder schools having done the 11+?

We are happy at SM, but I just don't know what the right thing to do is... I've seen the 11+ stress and its horrible... equally I want DS to experience a little stress so he understands he needs to work hard.

Maybe I'm overthinking it as he has a while to go until his 11+!!!!

Hi @Seashells24 I'd love to know what you ended up doing and your overall experience with St Martins? My son will start year 1 in September in St Martins and I've heard great things online from other parents.