Headmaster's Introduction

The move from Lower School to Middle School marks the end of one stage of education and the beginning of the next. GCSEs are our boys’ first experience of national examinations, and one of our aims at this stage is to encourage them to take more responsibility for their own development and learning. We regularly monitor pupils’ progress, supporting and encouraging them to aim high and achieve their goals.

We also expect all of the boys to play a full role in the co-curricular life of the school, whether it be on the sports pitch, in the concert hall or on the stage. There are so many wonderful opportunities on offer at Merchant Taylors’ and experience shows that those boys who continue to throw themselves into the life of the school are those who derive the most benefit.

This booklet provides an introduction to the Middle School curriculum at Merchant Taylors’. It covers the main subjects studied along with information about the core curriculum.

Classes are taught by subject specialists and class sizes are usually around 20, although in some subjects they may be smaller.

The core GCSE curriculum comprises:

- English, English Literature, Mathematics and Science

- A language (modern foreign language or classical) and a humanities subject

- Cornerstone, Games and activities – our enrichment programme

In addition, boys choose further options from the other subjects that are outlined in this booklet. This means that most of the fortnightly timetable is devised using the pupil’s own subject choices, whereas in the past most of a pupil’s timetable has been prescribed.

This is part of the process of boys taking more responsibility for their own learning. At the same time, through our option choices, we have maintained some academic breadth, which we feel remains important at this stage of a pupil’s career.

I would offer a few brief words of advice on how to choose subjects. The most important thing is to choose a subject which one likes (and not because one likes a specific teacher). It is also crucial to choose subjects in which one feels one has ability. Without doubt, these are the two most important things.

Each of our Heads of Department and subject teachers will be happy to discuss the content of GCSE courses in more detail at any point. You may also wish to speak with Mrs Blease, our Careers Coordinator, especially if you are already considering a certain career path, to make sure that the subjects taken at GCSE will facilitate this. It is important to note, however, that if this involves taking subjects you don’t enjoy, then you may wish to reconsider your career choice!

CEOs are increasingly describing the 21st Century Skills that they will be looking for in their employees of the future. These include critical thinking, creativity, communication, resilience, problem solving, perseverance, digital literacy and a global perspective. Therefore, I would urge boys to bear these in mind when making their subject choices. Adding a creative subject to their choices may well enhance their prospects for employment in later life.

I hope that you find the information contained in this booklet of great help; however, there is no substitute for talking. Please do spend time talking at home about the options available as well as spending time talking to teachers. A final word on the matter: it is important for the pupil to take ownership of his subject choices, so he should be at the heart of this.

The academic Parents’ Evening, scheduled this year for Tuesday 21 February, will offer an opportunity to fine-tune your thinking on choices after discussion with subject tutors. Subsequent to this, in some instances, boys will be further advised by senior members of staff, prior to final submission, regarding the GCSE diet best suited to them.

Mr D. Williams Head of Boys' School

d.williams@merchanttaylors.com