Joining at 16+

Merchant Taylors’ offers a select number of places each year for exceptionally driven and talented students to join our Sixth Form.

11+ Entry 16+ Entry

We believe these years should be the most exciting and academically challenging of your school journey, where students dive deep into subjects they are genuinely interested in, supported by expert teachers.

Students leave Taylors’ well prepared for entry to leading universities with a well-developed sense of independent enquiry essential for successful university study.

Dr. Jane Evans

Deputy Head Academic

Admissions Journey

1.Visit Us

We encourage prospective students and their families to visit Taylors’ at either an Open Morning or an individual tour where they can meet pupils and staff and get a sense of what the school is really like.

Book Your Place at Our Next Open Morning

2.Registration

You will need to register for entry into Sixth Form by 7th October in Year 11. Registration can be done by completing a form online.

3.Assessments

Registered candidates are sent a choices booklet in October and asked to nominate the subjects they wish to study. Written assessments in four subjects intended for study at A-Level are sat in early November of Year 11.

4.Reference

A reference from the applicant’s current school will be requested directly from the school and is completed on a Merchant Taylors’ form. Applicants must also supply a copy of their most recent school report.

5.Interviews

Candidates will be invited to Taylors’ for interviews with specialists in the subjects that they wish to study at A Level as well as a general interview with a senior member of staff. These are held in early December.

6.Acceptance

In December of Year 11, conditional offers are made on the basis of performance in all three elements of the assessment. Offers are confirmed on receipt of final GCSE (or equivalent) results in August. Conditional offers will specify the grades necessary for entry to be confirmed.

Key Dates for 2026 Entry

16+ Open Days

Saturday 27 September 2025

Registration, Bursary and Scholarship Deadline

Friday 7 October 2025

Entrance Exams

Early November 2025

Interviews

Early December 2025

Practical Scholarship Assessments

January 2026

Academic Scholarship Assessment Day

January 2026

Offers sent out by email

December 2025

Acceptance deadline

January 2025

Scholarships

Practical Scholarships in Art, DET, Music and Sports are available at Sixth Form. To register your interest, please contact the Admissions office.

Bursaries

Our bursary programme offers financial support up to 100% of the fees, and in some cases, it may also help towards additional costs such as uniform, coaches, and other expenses ensuring that pupils can fully engage in the wide range of activities available at Merchant Taylors’.

Learn more about Bursaries