Strategic Plan unveiled for Merchant Taylors’
Merchant Taylors’ has announced a new five-year strategic plan (2022-27), which can be read HERE.
The strategic plan is a result of significant research and extensive engagement with all stakeholders and is intended to provide a strong foundation for the future success of the school, its staff and its pupils.
Alongside the publication of the strategic plan, the school has made three important announcements:
• The adoption of a Diamond Model of Learning, consolidating our commitment to single-sex learning between years 7 and 11
• The appointment of a new Executive Head
• A commitment to continued investment in our Estate and facilities, including a new Sixth Form Centre
The Diamond Model of Learning aims to give pupils the best of both worlds by combining the benefits of a co-educational and single-sex learning environment at different key points in their educational journey. It has been adopted successfully by a number of UK independent schools in recent years.
At Merchant Taylors’, this will comprise the co-educational Stanfield Preparatory School (Reception – Year 6), single sex Boys’ School and Girls’ School (Year 7-Year 11) and a new co-educational Sixth Form. We want to ensure parity in our provision of educational and pastoral care across each of our schools and Sixth Form, and to develop a culture of greater alignment, ensuring resources and investment are targeted to meet our strategic priorities.
Merchant Taylors’ will now be led by an Executive Head with responsibility for the leadership and management across the school. Mrs Claire Tao, who has led the Girls’ School successfully for the past four years, has been appointed as Executive Head. Mrs Tao has a wealth of experience across a wide range of roles and is a clear advocate of Merchant Taylors’ and its role in raising confident and independent young men and women who recognise the importance of playing a valuable role in society.
Miss Elizabeth Lynan will continue in her role as Headmistress of Stanfield Preparatory, Merchant Taylors’ and Mrs Lynn Hill will continue to take responsibility for finance and operations as Chief Operating Officer.
The Board of Governors is now looking to appoint a new Head of Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School and a new Head of Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School. Mrs Tao and Mr Wickes will continue to lead their respective schools until then and the school hopes to make further announcements in the coming months. The search for a new Head of Merchant Taylors’ School Sixth Form will begin during the 2023/24 academic year.
The new approach to Sixth Form education will be supported by investment in and development of dedicated student facilities. The exact details and design of these facilities will be available later this year, but it is expected to be complete in time for the start of the 2024/25 academic year. The school intends to create a contemporary learning and co-curricular environment that delivers on the aspirations of students and their parents and gives Sixth Form pupils opportunities to prepare for life beyond Merchant Taylors’.
This plan sits alongside existing development activity at Hall Road, where the long-standing pavilion has now been demolished and will be replaced by a new facility by September 2022. This work will help to reform the school’s sporting provision over the coming years and maximise the opportunities open to boys and girls at all ages. It also complements a completed project at Stanfield Preparatory, to revamp the outside space with a new play area, multi-use games area (MUGA), outdoor classroom, wildlife garden and sensory learning zone.
The transition to the Diamond Model of Learning anticipates the wider external challenges that lie ahead and reflects the steps that the Merchant Taylors’ school community must take together to ensure an inspiring and fulfilling education for pupils drawn from a wide range of backgrounds for generations to come.
