Merchant Taylors’ pupils are celebrating their A Level results today, with outstanding individual performances and a host of exciting destinations ahead for the Class of 2026. 

The year group secured 59 A* and A grades, with nearly half of all grades awarded at A*-B and almost three-quarters at A*-C. More than a third of pupils achieved at least one A* or A grade, while an amazing 12 pupils achieved three or more grades at A or A*.

There were notable performances across a broad range of subjects.

Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics together secured 23 A*/A  grades, including 11 A*s. Mathematics alone produced six A* grades, while the sciences also performed strongly, with 18 A* and A grades awarded across Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Art & Design enjoyed an excellent set of results, with 80% grades either A* or A, reflecting the incredible work the cohort produced during their time at Sixth Form.

There was further success across languages and the classical subjects. Every grade awarded in French, German and Latin was at A*-B, with two thirds of German pupils securing A*s. Across French, German, Spanish, Latin and Classical Civilisation as a whole, eight out of ten grades were at A*-B and every grade was at A*-C or above.

Among a number of exceptional individual performances, Sundus, Ramal and Jude each achieved three A* grades.

Sundus continues the Merchants tradition of producing the medics of the future and will go on to study Medicine at King’s College London, while Ramal has secured a place to read Mathematics at Durham University and Jude will study Law at the London School of Economics.

There were further outstanding results for Zaki, who achieved A*A*A and will study Dentistry at Queen’s University Belfast, and Hannah, who achieved A*A*A and will study Medicine at the University of Liverpool.

Abi achieved A*A*AA and will study Natural Sciences at Loughborough University, while George achieved A*A*A and will read Economics with Study Abroad at Durham University.

Thomas  achieved A*AA and will study Chemistry at Durham University, while outgoing Head of School Kevin, also with A*AA, will go on to study Economics & Management at King’s College London.

There was further success for Eunice, who achieved AAA and will study Medicine and Surgery at Newcastle University, and Macey, who also achieved AAA and has secured a place to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Manchester.

The breadth of those destinations reflects the range of interests and ambitions within the year group and the wider Merchant Taylors’ experience. Academic study is complemented by an extensive programme of sport, music, drama, co-curricular activities and opportunities beyond the classroom, encouraging pupils to explore their interests and develop the confidence and independence to pursue their own ambitions.

Headmaster Philip Dearden said: 

“It is a real pleasure to celebrate the achievements of our Year 13 pupils today. Behind every one of these results is a huge amount of work, and our pupils should be extremely proud of what they have accomplished.

“There are some exceptional individual performances, but what pleases me just as much is the range of destinations and ambitions represented across the year group. Our leavers are heading on to study everything from Medicine, Dentistry and Natural Sciences to Law, Economics, Engineering and the Arts.

“Results day is ultimately about young people and what comes next for them. Our pupils have contributed enormously to the life of Merchant Taylors’, both in the classroom and far beyond it, and today is an opportunity to celebrate them before they begin the next stage of their lives.

“We wish every one of them the very best and look forward to hearing about everything they go on to achieve.”

Head of Sixth Form Vicki Mee said: 

“It has been a real privilege to work with this year group and to see how much they have grown during their time in the Sixth Form.

“They have supported one another, contributed enormously to the wider life of the School and shown real determination throughout their studies. I am delighted that so many are now able to look forward to exciting opportunities at universities across the country.

“They leave Merchant Taylors’ with a great deal to be proud of, and we look forward to following their progress as they take their next steps.”

Merchant Taylors’ is celebrating national recognition after being commended in the Independent School of the Year Awards 2026.

The school was recognised in the Regional Independent School of the Year: North category, with the commendation coming during a landmark year for Merchant Taylors’ after its boys’ and girls’ schools came together as one fully co-educational school.

Merchant Taylors’ has served families from across the local area for more than 400 years. Today, pupils join the school at every stage, from the early years through to Sixth Form, reflecting the strength of its all-through educational offer and the continued confidence families place in Merchant Taylors’.

The Independent School of the Year Awards celebrate excellence across the independent education sector, recognising schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement, innovation and commitment to their pupils and wider communities.

The move to full co-education represents the latest chapter in Merchant Taylors’ history, with the former boys’ and girls’ schools now united as one school while continuing to build on their shared traditions of academic ambition, character development and all-round excellence.

Mr Philip Dearden, Headmaster at Merchant Taylors’ Schools, said:

“We are delighted that Merchant Taylors’ has been commended in the Independent School of the Year Awards. To receive this recognition in such an important year for the school is especially meaningful.

“This has been a landmark year for Merchant Taylors’, and the commendation reflects the hard work, commitment and enthusiasm of our pupils, staff, families and wider school community. We are incredibly proud of the way our school continues to grow and evolve while remaining true to the values that have shaped Merchant Taylors’ for generations.”

The commendation follows a busy and exciting period for the school, which has seen the launch of full co-education alongside continued success across academic, co-curricular and community life. It also follows Merchant Taylors’ being ranked as the top independent school in Merseyside in The Times Parent Power Guide 2025, further highlighting the strength of its all-through educational offer from Prep through to Sixth Form.

As it looks to the future, Merchant Taylors’ will continue to build on this momentum, combining the strength of its heritage with a bold vision for the years ahead, from its historic home in the heart of Crosby.

Merchant Taylors’ is delighted to celebrate the success of five Year 13 pupils who achieved awards in this year’s Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad.

The Chemistry Olympiad is a highly challenging national competition, designed to stretch and inspire young chemists by testing their knowledge in unfamiliar and real-world situations. It encourages pupils to apply their understanding beyond the classroom and is widely regarded as a demanding test of chemical knowledge and problem-solving ability.

This year, more than 17,000 pupils sat the exam nationally, with only the top 8% achieving Gold awards. We are therefore especially proud that all five Merchant Taylors’ pupils who chose to take part achieved an award.

Tom and Hannah both achieved Gold awards, placing them among the highest-performing pupils in the country. Sundus was awarded Silver, while Zara and Danish achieved Bronze.

The results are a fantastic reflection of the pupils’ hard work, commitment and enthusiasm for Chemistry, as well as the support and guidance provided by the Chemistry Department.

A huge congratulations to Tom, Hannah, Sundus, Zara and Danish on this excellent achievement.

Merchant Taylors’ is delighted to celebrate the success of four Economics pupils who have passed the prestigious Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment exam, earning a professional qualification and official membership of the Institute.

Joseph, Joe, George and Kevin have all successfully completed the CISI Level 3 Award, a challenging qualification that provides pupils with a valuable introduction to the world of finance, investment and securities.

Merchant Taylors’ is proud to be the only school in the country to offer the CISI Level 3 Award, giving pupils a unique opportunity to develop professional knowledge and insight while still at school.

The qualification goes well beyond the standard curriculum, helping pupils build a deeper understanding of financial services and the wider investment industry. It is a demanding professional award and represents a fantastic achievement at school level.

The pupils’ success reflects their hard work, commitment and ambition, as well as the strength of Economics provision at Merchant Taylors’.

A huge congratulations to Joseph, Joe, George and Kevin on this excellent achievement.

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.”