Writes Scott de Weymarn, Head of Sport Scholarship
At Merchant Taylors’ School, we recognise that true performance – whether in the classroom, on the field, or in life beyond school – is built on strong foundations. Nutrition is one of the most important of these, and this year we are taking significant steps to place it firmly at the heart of our performance culture.
We are delighted to welcome Jane McClements, founder of The Performance Plate, to Merchant Taylors’. Jane brings a wealth of experience from her work with elite Premier League academies and leading sporting organisations across the country. Her evidence-based approach to sports nutrition aligns perfectly with our ambition to support every boy in achieving his best – physically, mentally and academically.
Working closely with myself, Mr Simpson (Head of PSHE) and our Catering Department, Jane will play a key role both within the Sport Scholar Programme and across the wider school. Together, we are launching the Performance Power Up Campaign (PPU) for 2025–26 – a whole-school initiative designed to elevate nutrition education and empower every pupil to understand how food fuels performance, focus and wellbeing.
Throughout the year, all boys will take part in engaging form-time sessions led by Jane, exploring how nutrition supports energy, concentration and recovery. Our sports scholars will also benefit from tailored advice and mentoring to help them optimise their training, recovery and long-term development.
The Performance Power Up Campaign is built around three core strands:
- Whole-School Nutrition Education – Inspiring pupils to make informed choices and champion a culture of health and wellbeing.
- Elite Sport Scholar Programme – Providing tailored nutrition plans and expert guidance to enhance athletic performance.
- Supporting a High-Performance Culture – Embedding nutrition excellence throughout school life, aligned with our wider commitment to wellbeing, discipline and success.
Nutrition underpins every aspect of performance – from endurance and recovery to focus and resilience. Jane’s involvement ensures our boys not only know what to eat, but truly understand why it matters. It’s about building lifelong habits that nurture health, focus and how to perform at their best.
As the Performance Power Up Campaign takes shape, I am excited to see how Jane’s expertise and enthusiasm will inspire our pupils to make informed choices that enhance both their wellbeing and their performance.
