Merchant Taylors’ School has been ranked as the top independent school in Merseyside in the newly released Times Parent Power Guide 2025. The influential league table compares schools nationwide using combined GCSE and A Level performance to identify the highest-achieving schools across the country.

Merchant Taylors’ secured its position at the top of Merseyside’s independent sector following a successful year of examination results. Highlights from 2025 outcomes include:

GCSE

• 47% were 9–7 grades
• 30% achieved 7 or more 9–7 grades
• 86% achieved Grade 5 or above in English and Maths

A Level

• 60% achieved 3 or more A*, A or B grades
• 66% were A*–B grades
• 32% were A*–A grades

The results demonstrate the school’s steady academic performance over time and offer a reliable measure of how pupils are achieving at both GCSE and A Level. This year’s guide gives families a transparent, data-driven view of school performance and reinforces Merchant Taylors’ position as a leading independent choice within Merseyside.

Headmaster Phil Dearden said:

“This year’s Parent Power Guide offers welcome recognition of the ambition and character shown by our pupils, and of the unwavering commitment of our staff. Academic excellence is a vital part of what we do, but we are equally proud of the breadth of opportunities our young people embrace and the well-rounded individuals they become.

“As we move confidently into our next chapter as a fully co-educational school, these results reflect not only our strong heritage but the exciting future we are building together. Merchant Taylors’ is a special community, and this acknowledgement highlights the strength of our shared purpose and the momentum now gathering across the School.”

The Parent Power Guide remains one of the most widely referenced indicators for families considering schools and Merchant Taylors’ strong placement within Merseyside provides a clear endorsement of the school’s high-quality education and long-standing academic strength.

Merchant Taylors’ has proudly reopened Mulberry House as a purpose-designed Welfare and Wellbeing Centre, strengthening the support available to every pupil.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Merchant Taylors’ Company, the much-loved building has been thoughtfully refurbished and repurposed to bring together key elements of the school’s existing welfare provision. Pastoral leaders, nursing and healthcare, learning support, and counselling teams are now housed under one roof, creating a central hub that enhances the care and guidance already available to every pupil.

The opening ceremony was attended by special guests including Brigadier Christopher Coles, Clerk of the Merchant Taylors’ Company, and Rebecca Pirt, the Company’s Education, Grants and Relationships Manager. They were joined by Headmaster Mr Phil Dearden and governors Charles Cowling, Philip Marshall KC and Gareth Mawdsley, who celebrated the opening of a centre that strengthens and unites the school’s long-standing commitment to pupil wellbeing.

Mulberry House will now serve as a visible focal point for welfare and support at Merchant Taylors’, ensuring that pupils know where to turn for guidance, care and encouragement throughout their time at school. By consolidating specialist teams within a dedicated space, the school is reaffirming its belief that wellbeing lies at the very heart of an excellent education.

Following the opening, the school was also delighted to host a special afternoon tea for this year’s Merchant Taylors’ Company Prize winners. Pupils from Year 7 to Upper Sixth who had been recognised at Speech Day for their intellectual curiosity and academic ambition across the curriculum enjoyed the chance to celebrate once again with Brigadier Coles and Rebecca Pirt. It was a fitting way to honour their achievements and round off a memorable day in the life of the school.

Thursday 5 September 2025 marked a historic moment in the long and distinguished history of Merchant Taylors’, as the school officially began its journey as a fully co-educational institution.

Pupils from the Prep and Senior Schools gathered on the Parade Ground for a special roll call, showcasing the unity of the whole school community. They were addressed by the new Headmaster, Mr Phil Dearden, and the Chair of Governors, Mr Philip Marshall KC, who spoke about the significance of the day and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Every pupil was presented with a commemorative badge to mark the occasion, a lasting reminder of their role in this important milestone.

The celebrations concluded with a memorable display of togetherness, as pupils joined on the school field to form the letters MTS, celebrating both the pride of the past and the promise of this exciting new era.

Pupils at Merchant Taylors’ are celebrating another year of impressive results at both GCSE and A Level, reflecting the breadth and depth of learning across the curriculum. From sciences and languages to the arts and humanities, pupils have excelled in a wide variety of disciplines.

At GCSE, pupils performed strongly across many subjects, including languages, sciences, and humanities. In Mandarin, 31% of pupils attained the top grade 9, with 92% awarded grades 9–7. Physics pupils achieved 17% at grade 9 and 65% at grades 9–7, while in Religion, Philosophy & Ethics, 19% reached grade 9 and 71% secured grades 9–7. In Latin, two-thirds of pupils gained top grades 9–7.

At A Level, pupils also excelled across the academic spectrum, demonstrating both scholarly strength and creative flair. Results included 100% A*–A in Latin and 67% A*–A in Classical Civilisation, with all candidates achieving A*–B. Creative and technical subjects likewise produced excellent outcomes, with Drama and Theatre Studies, Art & Design, and Computer Science each securing 100% of grades at A*–B. In English, 75% of pupils achieved A*–A in Literature and 50% achieved A*–A in Language, with both subjects recording highly commendable results overall.

Mrs Esther Neophytou, Head of English, said:

“We are delighted and proud of the superb results achieved by our students this year. 75% A–A in English Literature and 50% A*–A in English Language is testament to the hard work and dedication they have shown. We congratulate them on their fantastic success and wish them the very best for the future.”

These outcomes reflect not only the commitment of pupils, but also the values and opportunities fostered at Merchant Taylors’. Small class sizes, specialist teaching, and a culture of encouragement ensure that pupils are stretched academically while also supported pastorally. Central to this approach is a commitment to instilling a lifelong love of learning – encouraging curiosity, independence, and intellectual confidence that extends well beyond the examination hall.

Mr James O’Brien, Assistant Head (Curriculum & Assessment), said:

“These results highlight the academic strength across the whole school. Whether in the sciences, languages, humanities or the creative arts, our pupils have demonstrated determination, flair and resilience. Above all, they reflect our commitment to nurturing a lifelong love of learning – helping pupils to grow into confident, independent thinkers who are well prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Merchant Taylors’ School is proud to announce another year of exceptional A-Level results, with the Class of 2025 achieving an impressive set of grades that will see Sixth Formers progress to some of the UK’s most prestigious universities.

Overall, 9% of grades were at A*, with 32% at A*–A and 65% at A*–B. More than half of all pupils achieved at least one A*–A grade, while 14% secured straight A* or A results across every subject. In total, 11 pupils achieved all A* or A grades, an achievement that reflects the strength and consistency of this year’s cohort.

These results represent a year-on-year improvement for the School and are particularly special as they are the first awarded to pupils from our fully co-educational Sixth Form. The achievements of this inaugural mixed year group highlight the strength of our academic provision and the positive impact of a vibrant, inclusive learning environment.

High standards were evident across the curriculum. Pupils excelled in sciences, humanities, languages and the creative and performing arts. Mathematics and Further Mathematics were once again among the top-performing subjects, with over 50% of grades awarded at A*–A, though strong results were recorded in every department.

Among the top performers, Thomas P achieved three A* grades and one A, securing a place at Imperial College London to study Engineering. Varshaa P achieved a clean sweep of three A* grades and will take up a place Manchester University to read Medicine. Max H and Sajay J each earned two A* grades and two A grades, with both set to study Maths at Warwick University.

Six pupils, Martha C, Iris D, Aled E, Charles L, Alex M and Johnnie M – each achieved one A* grade alongside two A grades, while Alex M achieved one A* and three A grades. All have demonstrated consistent excellence and the ability to perform at the highest level across their chosen subjects.

Lara W achieved two A* grades and one A and will take up a place at the University of Oxford to read Classics, joining one of the world’s most renowned academic institutions. A member of Merchant Taylors’ award-winning choir, Amabile, Lara has received a choral scholarship to Merton College, Oxford.

Leavers will now progress to study courses including engineering, medicine, law, natural sciences, languages and the arts. Others have secured degree apprenticeships or chosen to take a gap year before beginning their next chapter.

Executive Head Dr Michael Alderson said:

“I am immensely proud of our pupils and all that they have achieved. Their results are the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of their families and teachers. It is wonderful to see such strong performances across so many subjects, and these outcomes reflect the talent, determination, and character of this year group. I have every confidence they will go on to embrace the opportunities ahead and make a positive difference in the world.”

Head of Sixth Form, Claire Croxton, added:

“It has been a privilege to see this cohort grow, both academically and personally, over their time in the Sixth Form. As our first fully co-educational year group, they have brought a fresh dynamic to the School, working together with great spirit and determination. Their commitment to their studies, willingness to support one another, and determination to aim high have been inspiring. These results are richly deserved, and I wish every one of them the very best for the exciting opportunities ahead.”

With results that reflect true academic excellence, the Class of 2025 leaves Merchant Taylors’ ready for the exciting opportunities ahead. Congratulations to all our pupils on their success.

Pupils at Merchant Taylors’ School recently took part in two inspirational music masterclasses, led by acclaimed professional musicians Roland Wood and Martin Roscoe.

As part of the school’s commitment to musical excellence and enrichment, pupils across the School were given the unique opportunity to work directly with visiting artists from the world of professional performance.

A few weeks ago, the Cambiata Choir participated in a vocal masterclass with Roland Wood, an internationally recognised operatic baritone. The session focused on helping boys navigate the challenges of changing voices while building confidence and stage presence. Roland’s experience and energy brought new depth to their learning, and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed working with such a respected performer.

Earlier this week, pupils took part in a piano masterclass with celebrated concert pianist Martin Roscoe, one of the UK’s most distinguished classical musicians. Each pupil performed for Mr Roscoe and received tailored feedback, offering a valuable insight into technique, expression, and musical interpretation. The session was a highlight for our pianists and a rare chance to learn directly from a leading figure in the classical world.

These professional music masterclasses form part of a wider programme of creative enrichment at Merchant Taylors’ School, supporting pupils as they develop their technical skills, musical awareness, and love of performance.