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Open Morning 1 October 2026

Our Curriculum

Across the Prep, we offer a broad and holistic curriculum that blends academic subjects with co-curricular activities, health and wellbeing, and outdoor education.

Nursery & Reception

The education provided in Nursery and Reception is a practical and oral curriculum taught through a range of exciting and stimulating topics. We encourage children to develop the following Learning Attitudes: concentration, communication and collaboration, independence, imagination, empathy, perseverance, curiosity and risk taking.

The curriculum is primarily delivered by the Nursery and Reception team led by form teachers. In addition, boys benefit from dedicated Music, French and PE lessons delivered by specialist teachers from across the Prep.

Our ’Reading at Home’ programme begins in Reception and continues into Year 1 and beyond, nurturing a love of reading from the earliest possible stage.

Download curriculum information sheets here

Years 1 & 2

The curriculum in Years 1 and 2 (Key Stage 1) is taught through topics that incorporate elements of all subjects in a contextual and meaningful way. We aim to extend topics in response to the children’s interests, foster their curiosity, and excite their imagination. Our priority remains to lay firm foundations and to establish good learning habits.

Homework is set on Seesaw, a third-party digital learning app. We set regular homework in English and Maths, and we occasionally send additional work with individual children where we feel this would help reinforce a particular skill or concept.

Download curriculum information sheets here.

Years 3 & 4

Boys begin our full 14-subject curriculum in Year 3, designed to provide depth, breadth and balance. Form teachers deliver English, Mathematics and Philosophy for Children; the core Year 3 and 4 team also teaches Religious Studies and Wellbeing, while the Year 3 team delivers Geography. Other subjects are taught by specialist subject teachers.

Pupils receive homework in English, Mathematics and one other subject each week, set on Seesaw. They are also encouraged to continue to read every night.

The core academic subjects are examined annually in the Summer Term.

Download curriculum information sheets here.

Years 5-8

From Year 5 onwards, pupils continue to study our full curriculum. At this stage, all lessons are taught exclusively by subject specialists. The pastoral curriculum, such as Philosophy for Children and aspects of PSHE including Citizenship, are delivered through their tutor groups, which are ‘vertical’ meaning they consist of a few boys from each year group. This means topics can be discussed and explored from a variety of angles and can be contextualised for the differing ages in the group.

Boys receive one academic homework a day. It is set on Microsoft Teams, which is part of the Office 365 suite to which they all have access. At this point, they are expected to engage in extra-curricular enrichment activities, both inside and outside school, which is monitored by their form tutors.

The core academic subjects are examined annually in the Summer Term, and there are earlier formal assessments in English and Mathematics.

Download curriculum information sheets here.

As an independent school, Merchant Taylors’ Prep School has been granted an exemption from the Learning and Development requirements of the EYFS for pupils aged 3 and over (Ref: 21EYFSISR007). This allows us to deliver a curriculum that best supports our educational philosophy and meets the Independent School Standards, while continuing to uphold all EYFS safeguarding and welfare requirements.

Curriculum Overview by Subject

Art & Design and Technology

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Art & Design and Technology

Head of Department: Mr Daniel Roach

In Art, pupils practise self-expression and gain confidence in the artistic elements of line, shape, tone, form, colour, texture, and pattern. We take a walk in the shoes of artists past and present, experiencing visual works from ancient times and many cultures.

Projects undertaken include topic-based Art and Design & Technology (DT) in pre-prep, progressing to self-portraiture, still-life drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, app-based artwork, block printing, lino cutting, and collage. Activities are further enhanced by visits to galleries and the chance to attend art clubs and workshops and take part in exhibitions in and outside of school.

InDTy, pupils learn to design and construct objects and products, considering functionality and visual appeal. Boys become creative problem solvers and inventors by identifying concepts and practices related to engineering, product design and other exciting creative industries.

Pupils experience a wide range of tools and processes involving resistant materials in the workshop; from traditional wood working and planning on the drawing board through to mechanisms, an introduction to CAD and 3D printing. The optional weekly Young Inventors Club allows pupils to enrich their knowledge of DT outside of lessons.

Classics

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Classics

Head of Department: Mr Richard Waddington

Many cultural assumptions in both the Western World, and, indeed, in global culture, have their origins in classical Romans and Greek culture. Our classics curriculum engages boys with language, history, philosophy, religion, politics and society in a confident, cultured manner.

Linguistic studies, in both Latin and Ancient Greek, enrich the boys’ vocabularies, promote systematic thinking about the structure of language, and develop resilience as they overcome rigorous challenge.

Studying Classical Civilisation helps students compare and contrast ancient ideas about family, food, housing, entertainment, politics, education and slavery with our own. Myths and ancient history introduce key mythological and historical figures and enable pupils to explore a significant part of Britain’s past.

We visit Verulamium Museum, the Museum of London and the British Museum and we aim to travel abroad regularly to Rome and Athens so that the boys can experience the classical world in its own setting, something which is both memorable and formative.

Computing

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Computing

Head of Department: Miss Georgina Hibberd

Our digital curriculum represents more than technological instruction — it’s a strategic pathway to developing agile, critical thinking skills essential for the 21st-century landscape. Our Computing journey begins in Reception, where pupils engage with carefully curated digital tools, building computational thinking skills year by year.

Our curriculum bridges Computer Science, Information Technology, and Digital Literacy, the key pillars of the national curriculum. Pupils learn to understand, challenge, and reimagine digital systems. We use a range of software and hardware, including Minecraft Education and Micro:bits, programmable drones and train sets, as well as iPads and PCs.

Our lessons integrate artificial intelligence perspectives that cultivate intellectual adaptability. Pupils don’t just learn technology—they develop a nuanced understanding of digital ecosystems, exploring how computational thinking intertwines with creativity, problem-solving, and ethical technological engagement.

Cybersecurity and e-Safety are fundamental, not peripheral. Through embedded discussions and practical experiences, boys develop transferable digital practices, interacting responsibly across technological platforms.

We have enjoyed significant success with the Bebras, a national computational thinking competition. We have produced multiple winners in recent years and large numbers of pupils score in the top 10% nationally.

We don’t just teach Computing – we nurture the digital architects of tomorrow.

Drama

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Drama

Director of drama: Mr Spencer Hinton

At Merchant Taylors’ Prep, Drama plays a vital role in developing well-rounded, assured boys who are prepared for their future schools, lives and careers. We are fortunate to have a purpose-built, 200-seat performance space – The Lalani New Barn Theatre.

In Early Years, boys participate in drama games to explore characters and emotions. All Pre-Prep boys perform in a nativity plays in the Theatre.

In Years 3 and 4, pupils receive specialist Drama teaching focused on building confidence, public speaking and collaboration through storytelling and the exploration of characters. All Year 3 and 4 boys participate in a spring musical production and take part in the biannual Beale Clear Speaking Poetry Competition.

In Year 5 and 6, pupils focus on improvisation, theatrical terminology and performance evaluation with intensive character study and preparation for the biannual Beale Competition. Year 5 boys also work on a mask theatre project, creating and performing scenes using the school’s masks, provided by Trestle Theatre Company.  Year 6 pupils rehearse and perform a full-text dramatic production, produced by a creative team of ex-industry professionals.

Additionally Year 5 boys receive individual tutorials to prepare for their LAMDA Grade 1 Communication exams. These boost confidence and readiness for next school interviews as well as their future lives and careers.

English

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English

Head of Department: Mr Richard Gough

English is a subject that transcends the curriculum. It is an essential aspect of all other studies because it is the spoken and written form utilised by our pupils. As an evolving subject, the English department adapts and embraces change, whilst honouring the past.

A great emphasis is placed on language and communication. We foster individuality and confidence, encouraging our pupils to think for themselves and show a willingness to ask questions and debate.

Quality literature is key to progression. From Early Years, we instil a strong phonetic understanding through systematic teaching. In Pre-Prep and beyond, we explore diverse texts from a variety of periods and cultures. Reading underpins our curriculum, and we expect our pupils to read daily. The ability to compare, justify and infer are all vital skills that drive our comprehension.

English is a subject that incorporates a plethora of elements. Its range is huge, from the technical side of grammar and punctuation to the artistic flair of poetry. We believe that it is the full spectrum of these elements that make English the core subject it is and one we value immensely.

Geography

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Geography

Head of Department: Mr Richard Bowman

Geography is everywhere and everywhere is Geography: surely no academic subject is more consistently relevant and evolving. This is something reinforced here at Merchant Taylors’ Prep.

In Pre-Prep, Topic work provides every child with a sense of place and a growing understanding of the diverse environment around them, both locally and further afield. This becomes the foundation of studies in Year 3&4, where boys extend their mapping skills and look more closely at the human and physical world.

In the Prep Department, pupils cover a wide range of geographical topics and themes such as coastal and river studies, hazard management, settlement and climate change, as well as engaging in a moral and social understanding of one other; empathy is a core value of the true geographer.

Having studied across such a broad scope, boys leave Merchant Taylors’ Prep with an excellent academic preparation for their next step in education as well as a sense of place and firm understanding of what a rich and restless world we live in; a world for which they will all be responsible one day.

History

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History

Head of Department: Mrs Lisa Waddell

Our history curriculum brings the past to life at the historic Manor of the More, once owned by Thomas Wolsey and Henry VIII, and briefly home to Queen Katherine of Aragon. From Ancient civilisations to the Twentieth Century, pupils explore history through compelling narratives and rigorous historical enquiry.

In the Pre-Prep, history is integrated into classroom topics. Our youngest pupils begin to develop their understanding of the past through engaging stories and activities. From Year 3, pupils develop as historians, learning to ask questions, investigate sources, and understand how cultures and events shape our world.

Beyond the classroom, history comes alive through museum visits, royal palace tours, and interactive workshops. We inspire curiosity and critical thinking, helping students develop a deeper understanding of the past and its connection to our present.

At Merchant Taylors’ Prep, we don’t just teach history—we help students become thoughtful, empathetic citizens who can explore different perspectives and understand our shared human experience.

Mathematics

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Mathematics

Head of Department: Mrs Rebecca Levy

Our teaching follows the Singapore Mathematics programme, grounded in global educational research. Starting in Early Years, this ‘teaching for mastery’ approach ensures that all pupils succeed in Mathematics. Pupils master concepts through manipulatives (concrete), drawing representations (pictorial), and written work (abstract).

Problem-solving is central to our approach, with a focus on developing critical thinking through heuristics like bar models and pattern recognition. Pupils are encouraged to identify connections and relationships, enabling them to tackle complex word problems well beyond their age group in the UK.  While we promote independent learning, we also value collaborative work, which helps pupils develop reasoning, argument skills, and perseverance.

In addition to physical manipulatives, pupils use online apps to deepen their understanding and to master the topics they study. From Year 1, all pupils use the IXL program, both at school and at home. This provides immediate and meaningful feedback, allows teachers to track progress and identify areas where pupils may need support.

When needed, we provide intervention both in lessons and before school. For pupils requiring extension, we offer Olympiad Maths Clubs once a week, where they engage with advanced content and prepare for national and international competitions.

Pupils of all ages have the opportunity to participate in nationwide competitions such as the Primary Maths Challenge. Additionally, selected pupils from Years 4 to 6 compete in team events against other schools.

Modern Foreign Languages

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Modern Foreign Languages

Head of Department: Mrs Sophia Jasieczek

Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) play a key role in our curriculum with the MFL Department committed to practical language use. Pupils learn to communicate in both spoken and written forms, with a focus on making languages both fun and functional.  This approach ensures pupils are well-prepared for Senior School languages learning including GCSE courses and examinations.

French is taught from Nursery, starting with an oral approach in Pre-Prep, using songs and rhymes to build vocabulary. Listening, speaking and reading skills continue to develop, with writing introduced in Year 3. From Year 4, formal study begins with a course book, and from Year 5, pupils follow the Studio Course, supplemented with audio-visual & digital resources. Pupils also have access to Linguascope, both at school and at home.

The four core skills – listening, reading, speaking and writing – are given equal importance, in line with the National Curriculum. These skills are regularly practised and assessed through assignments, unit reviews and homework from Year 3 onwards.

Music

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Music

Director of Music: Mr Nicholas Stuart

Music at Merchant Taylors’ Prep is an inclusive activity, with all boys receiving weekly lessons with a subject specialist. The curriculum enables boys to develop their musical skills, knowledge and understanding through composing, performing, listening and appraising in a wide variety of styles and genres. Our high-quality facilities include two well-resourced teaching rooms and a suite of practice facilities for instrumental lessons.

Instrumental tuition is available to all boys from Year 2 onwards and provided by a team of 11 specialist peripatetic teachers. A wide variety of instruments are offered, including a range of orchestral woodwind, brass and string instruments alongside piano, guitar, drums and singing.

The Music Department boasts a large number of groups, including four choirs and five instrumental ensembles. Recitals, competitions and other performance opportunities are held regularly, along with annual productions in collaboration with the Drama Department. The Music Department has strong links with Merchant Taylors’ School, often performing together in joint concerts and events.

In recent years, a number of our pupils have won prestigious music scholarships to Merchant Taylors’ School, Harrow School, John Lyon School and Aldenham School.

Physical Education & Sport

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Physical Education & Sport

Director of Sport: Mr Dominic Todd

At Merchant Taylors’ Prep, our Physical Education and Games Department is committed to inclusion, ensuring every boy benefits from a diverse sporting curriculum. Our specialist provision begins in Pre-Prep and continues throughout the school years, offering opportunities in both team and individual sports. Our vision is to enable each pupil to reach their potential at their own pace while promoting physical literacy, lifelong participation, and a healthy lifestyle.

Our experienced team delivers a broad curriculum that exceeds National Curriculum requirements. From Nursery and Pre-Prep, boys develop fundamental movement skills through gymnastics, modified games, and activities that foster teamwork, agility, balance, and coordination. From Year 3 onwards, all boys represent the school in competitive fixtures and regular games sessions, building enjoyment, resilience, and sportsmanship.

Our weekly Games Programme offers seasonal sports—football and hockey in Autumn; rugby, cross country, and hockey in Spring; and cricket, tennis, and athletics in Summer. Our extensive facilities include indoor/outdoor nets, a sports hall, floodlit astroturf, and ample playing fields.

We also organise Sports Tours and an annual skiing visit in Italy, with cricket remaining our strongest sport, supported by first-class facilities at both MTP and the senior school.

Science

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Science

Head of Department: Mr Jonathan Greenish

The response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and humanity’s ongoing efforts to reduce and mitigate the impacts from climate change, highlight the continuing importance of Science to our society. Science is arguably more important today than ever before.

Science is not just learning a collection of facts, although factual knowledge is important. From the moment they first start Science in Pre-Prep, we aim to cultivate our pupils’ sense of curiosity and stimulate an interest in the natural world. As our pupils develop their understanding of Scientific theories, they also acquire the skills to satisfy this curiosity by gathering and evaluating evidence for themselves.

Science underpins the world around us and, as such, it links to almost every other subject in the curriculum, whether that is music (via the physics of sound) or on the sports field (via human biology). By providing a solid scientific foundation, we help our pupils develop a fuller and richer understanding of all subjects. Bearing all this in mind, it is not surprising that Science holds such an important place at the very heart of the curriculum here at Merchant Taylors’ Prep.

Theology, Philosophy, Religion & Ethics

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Theology, Philosophy, Religion & Ethics

Head of Department: Mr Richard Waddington

In Pre-Prep, the pupils examine their own place in the world through their understanding of themselves, their family relationships and their family rituals.

In Year 3 and Y4, the pupils explore Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. They explore the beliefs, behaviours and buildings of each faith.

From Year 5 to Year 6, the pupils follow a spiral curriculum in which they look at aspects of Theology, Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (TPRE).

  • Theology covers the Bible stories of Creation, Fall, Easter and Pentecost. Biblical ideas heavily influence many artistic, cultural, ethical, legal and political aspects of British life.
  • Philosophy introduces pupils to attempts at understanding the human experience using reason. They encounter philosophers from Socrates to Sartre, and meet ideas such as scholasticism and just war theory.
  • Religion explores life’s rites of passage through the lens of the world religions encountered previously. Year 5 explore birth. Year 6 learn about initiation into a full membership of a faith.
  • Ethics explores how humans behave. Ethics are generated in both religious and non-religious settings. Year 5 investigate laws and punishments. Year 6 explore resources, the environment, inequality and social justice.

Wellbeing & PSHEE

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Wellbeing & PSHEE

Head of Department: Mrs Claire Jones

Our Wellbeing and PSHEE Department helps our pupils develop beyond the academic realm, building confidence, and equipping them with the knowledge and understanding to make informed decisions. They leave as respectful, enlightened and thoughtful individuals who understand the world around them.

PSHEE equips pupils with the life skills they need to flourish here at the Prep, in Senior School and beyond. Further details about the syllabus, including statutory RSE content, are available in the termly curriculum notes.

From Year 3 to Year 6, pupils explore their identity and roles within their communities. They develop maturity and self-confidence, while learning about their responsibility towards social justice. They begin to understand how their own choices and behaviour can affect local, national or global issues and political and social institutions.

As pupils approach puberty, they are supported to navigate physical and emotional changes, and taught to make confident choices about their health, environment, and learning. They also learn to take more responsibility for themselves, tackle bullying, and engage in school and community activities.

Pupils are encouraged to develop independence, responsibility, and to make informed choices about their own lifestyle and future career paths, helping each child to fulfill their potential.

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