Merchant Taylors’ Commended in Independent School of the Year Awards

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.