Muddy Stilettos is the UK’s leading lifestyle platform outside London. A prominent and highly respected part of their platform is the Best Schools Guide, which provides in-depth, independent reviews of pre-prep, prep, senior, and sixth-form independent schools across England and Wales.
Below you can read the full review that was carried out by Muddy Stilettos earlier this year or you can read it on Muddy Stilettos website.
Our view of Merchant Taylors’ School
Merchant Taylors’ School is an impressive boys day school (11-18 year olds), nestled just outside of Northwood, between Watford and Rickmansworth, with 1050 pupils. Spread across a rather glorious 280 acres, the school features striking Grade II–listed Art Deco buildings, handsome quads, statues, and sweeping playing fields, plus smart, modern interiors that suit its scholarly vibe.
You’ll find 280 acres of fresh air and Art Deco heritage at this high-achieving yet well balanced boys school in Herts’ Three Rivers District, a mere 30 minutes from central London.
A zippy 30 minutes into the centre of London (perfect for the city-based pupils) and easily accessed by coach and rail from both Herts and Bucks, this is a school that radiates a civilised and gentle atmosphere. Yes, it has over 450 years of tradition but it offers a forward-thinking, deeply individual approach to education and goes from Nursery and Prep (nearby Northwood Prep was merged into the school in 2015) through Senior, to Sixth Form. The result? Bright, kind and confident young men who are empathetic and ready to thrive in a fast-changing world.
Entry is at Year 7 and Sixth Form (the 13+ intake is no longer available) and this offers a cohesive, long-term educational journey for pupils.
Facilities
A cool £30m has been poured into facilities over the past eight years — and yes, the results are genuinely impressive. The school is blessed with 60 acres of playing fields and ticks every sporting box you’d expect and more: heated indoor pool, floodlit hockey pitches, rugby pitches, tennis, squash and basketball courts, 400m athletics track, and a assault course (for the Combined Cadet Force students only). Special mention goes to the shiny, world-class five-lane indoor cricket centre – not only is it a year-round indoor facility for the school, it’s so good that Middlesex CCC also use it as their training base.
And did we mention there’s a lake and watersports centre too? Rowing, kayaking and paddle boarding (from Year 10 onwards) are also on the menu. In short: if there’s a sport you’re keen to try, chances are it’s covered here.
Another standout facility is the newly refurbished gym (2025) with state-of-the-art equipment including a climbing wall, cardiovascular suite and lifting stations. It’s an excellent space for strength training and pupils can also use it before and after school.
There’s a lovely whole school library, with symmetrical spiral staircases and a light and airy feel, plus far-reaching views over the sports fields and an impressive lecture theatre that plays host to high-calibre guest speakers.
The Design, Engineering & Technology department is also a real show-stopper and is so large that it feels like a professional workshop. It’s kitted out with university-level kit: serious machinery, 3D printers, a dedicated electronics studio and even a full workshop for car mechanics. Yes, there’s an actual car, so boys can get properly stuck into fixing a real engine.
The department is undoubtedly a huge pull for boys who have even a spark of interest in engineering, tech and has a particularly strong robotics programme. Last year (2025) the Merchant’s Taylor team scooped a National Award at the VEX Robotics Championships and a Design Award at the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas. Impressive stuff.
Although the school maintains a strong sense of tradition, technology is fully embraced, with computer skills playing a central role in the curriculum. That said, pen and paper still have their place in Years 7 and 8. From Year 9 onwards, each pupil has their own tablet.
