More than 100 Grade 9s as Merchant Taylors’ pupils celebrate GCSE success

Pupils at Merchant Taylors’ Schools, Crosby are celebrating an impressive set of GCSE results, with more than 100 coveted Grade 9s, nearly 250 grades at 8 and 9, and more than 450 grades at 7–9 awarded across the year group.

There were some exceptional individual performances, led by William D, who achieved a remarkable ten Grade 9s and one Grade 8.

William’s achievements extend far beyond the classroom. A talented middle-distance runner, he has represented his school, club, county and the North West and has been selected to represent England in international cross-country. He is also part of the GB rowing pathway, as well as playing hockey and tennis, and hopes eventually to pursue his passion for Mathematics at university.

Harry N secured an outstanding eight Grade 9s, two Grade 8s and a Grade 7. Alongside his academic success, Harry is an accomplished musician who achieved a Distinction at Grade 8 violin, plays in school ensembles and is a member of the CCF. He plans to continue his studies at Merchant Taylors’ Sixth Form, including Mathematics and Physics at A Level.

There was another exceptional performance from Corinne T, who achieved seven Grade 9s, three Grade 8s and a Grade 7. Corinne has combined academic excellence with considerable success in the arts, achieving distinctions in both Grade 7 Piano and Grade 8 LAMDA Acting. She has also raised more than £30,000 for charity since 2019 and appeared on BBC’s Blue Peter to promote autism awareness.

Zoi A achieved seven Grade 9s and two Grade 8s, combining her academic success with a particular passion for music. Zoi sings with Amabile and the school choir, performs on piano and hopes to study Music at A Level and potentially at university, alongside wide-ranging interests in history, literature and philosophy. There were many other outstanding performances. Freddie L achieved six Grade 9s, two Grade 8s and a Grade 7, while Peter F and Jacob L each secured five Grade 9s, four Grade 8s and a Grade 7.

Alyssa P achieved four Grade 9s, four Grade 8s and a Grade 7; Edward P secured three Grade 9s, five Grade 8s and two Grade 7s; and Emily G achieved three Grade 9s, four Grade 8s and three Grade 7s. Emily, a member of Amabile and the school choir, has also recently been selected for the National Youth Choir.

Across the year group, 97 pupils – four in every five – achieved at least one Grade 7, 8 or 9, while 17 pupils achieved nine or more grades at 7-9.

In total, pupils secured 109 Grade 9s, with 245 grades awarded at Grade 8 or 9 and more than 450 grades at 7–9.

Headmaster Phil Dearden said:

“Results day is always one of the most special days of the school year, and it has been wonderful to see so many of our pupils celebrating today.

“There are some truly exceptional performances. Ten Grade 9s is a remarkable achievement, while seeing so many pupils securing outstanding grades right across their GCSE programmes is testament to their ability, ambition and determination.

“What I particularly love is the story behind the grades. These are young people who have combined their studies with music, drama, sport, cadets, charity work, leadership and service to others. They have represented their school, their county and, in some cases, their country.

“More than 100 Grade 9s, nearly 250 grades at 8 and 9 and over 450 grades at 7–9 represent an impressive collective achievement, but today is ultimately about celebrating each individual pupil and everything they have done to reach this point.

“I am enormously grateful to our staff for the expertise, encouragement and care they have given this year group, and to families for the support they have provided throughout.

“For many of these young people, the next chapter will be here in our Sixth Form, and we cannot wait to see what they achieve next. Those moving on to new opportunities do so with our warmest congratulations and very best wishes.”

The results bring to a close Merchant Taylors’ first academic year as a fully co-educational Senior School, as the school looks ahead to the new academic year.