• Homepage
  • Admissions
  • Strategy 2022-2027
  • Stanfield Prep
    • A Word From Our Headmistress
    • About Our Wonderful School
    • An Excellent Education
    • Unrivalled Facilities
    • Pastoral Care – Merchants’ Mindset
    • Endless Opportunities
    • Out Of Hours Care
    • Learning Support
    • Key Information
  • Senior Boys
    • A Word From Our Headmaster
    • About Our School
    • Departments & Curriculum
    • Co-Curricular & Enrichment
    • Pastoral Care
    • Learning Support
    • Key Information
  • Senior Girls
    • About Our School
    • Departments & Curriculum
    • Co-Curricular & Enrichment
    • Pastoral Care
    • Learning Support
    • Key Information
  • Sixth Form
    • About Our Sixth Form
    • Boys’ Sixth Form
    • Girls’ Sixth Form
    • Academic Excellence
    • Leadership Opportunities
    • Co-Curricular & Enrichment
    • Extended Project Qualification
    • Pastoral Care
    • Careers
    • University Applications
  • Merchants+ Facility Hire and Children’s Activities
  • Calendar
  • Events
  • Latest News
  • Contact Us
  • Job Vacancies
  • Alumni & Development
  • SOCS Sports
  • Our Family
  • Stanfield Prep
  • Senior Boys
  • Menu Spacer ALWAYS KEEP IN MIDDLE
  • Senior Girls
  • Sixth Form
  • Admissions

MENU

Cadets Welcome Wildcat for Annual Inspection

On the 27th April, we celebrated our 103rd annual Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Inspection Day and welcomed a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter to MTBS.


The day was attended by 38 senior North West military professionals from the RAF, Army and the Royal Navy and consisted of a formal inspection of the Schools’ Guard of Honour, which this year was made up of representatives from the RAF section. This was then followed by a review of its cadet’s activities and performances.

Merchant Taylors’ Combined Cadet’s Force was founded in 1915, just a year after the outbreak of World War 1 and is one of the largest contingents in the country, which is particularly impressive given that participation in the CCF is a completely voluntary activity.

One of the main attractions on the day was the arrival of a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter, flown in by Lt Cdr. AJ Thompson (Royal Navy Air Squadron), a former Merchants Taylors’ pupil whose younger brother, William, also attends the school and is in the CCF Guard of Honour.

The Wildcat is the latest generation of multi-role helicopters, specifically procured to operate from the frigates and destroyers of the Royal Navy. It measures 15.2 metres in length, with a nautical range of 420 miles and a top speed of 157 knots.


After its arrival, the day kicked into action with a host of activities for the cadets, including an assault course, a demonstration of a section attack and the chance to view the state of the art £35m Wildcat helicopter.

This was followed by lunch at the Boys’ School and then a review of the Schools’ CCF Guard of Honour, by Inspecting Officer, Group Captain John Lawlor, Chief of Staff for the RAF Air Cadets.

Group Captain Lawlor was accompanied throughout the inspection by the Headmaster of Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School, Deiniol Williams and the newly appointed Headmistress of the Senior Girls’ School, Claire Tao.


After the inspection, Group Captain Lawlor was escorted around the various activities by the top cadet in each of the three sections and given the chance to meet with parents and cadets before watching all 270 cadets take part in a final parade. During this parade, Group Captain Lawlor also presented the Louis Simpson Memorial Award for the outstanding cadet recruit, which was this year awarded to Cdt. Beth Edwards.

Commenting on the Inspection, Group Captain Lawlor, said: “For me, it was a fantastic day. The cadets battled through challenging weather conditions and made the most of the opportunities that were on offer. Regardless of the rain, their determination and enthusiasm shone through. The number of parents who came to support their children brought an added extra to the day, along with the helicopter which was a fantastic highlight, made even more exciting by seeing old boy Lt Cdr. AJ Thompson fly it in.”

“Having former cadets attend demonstrates the resilient loyalty they still feel towards the school, as they still wish to return to the place their military journeys began and be part of special occasions such as this.”


Lt Cdr. AJ Thompson said “It’s been 20 years since I left Merchant Taylors’, so it was a real privilege to bring an aircraft back to the school, as I spent so many years being part of its Combined Cadet Force.

“I was especially proud to be able to share this moment with my younger brother, Will, and see him in the Guard of Honour. The connections to school are so important and I hope we can continue these links in the years to come.”

To complete the day, there was a formal Dining Out dinner held at the Boys’ School for all the Non-Commissioned Officers and special guests. The guest of honour was former Merchant Taylors’ teacher and CCF Contingent Commander Col. Paul Irvine, who is now the Commandant of Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force. This dinner is a celebration of the outgoing Sixth Form cadets, to thank them for all their hard work and commitment during their time in the CCF. Col. Paul Irvine also presented the Roy Bevan Trophy to the Cadet Warrant Officer Charlotte Apel, the highest ranking cadet in the RAF section.

Special praise was also given to year eleven student and cadet, Gabrielle Foster, who presented money she had raised for the Poppy Appeal to representatives of the Royal British Legion, who were also in attendance.


Mr Deiniol Williams said “pupils opt to join the CCF from Year 9, as they can see the opportunities which are made available to them from outdoor pursuits to survival skills. Some will continue with the CCF throughout school, entering a career in the Armed Services. Inspection Day marks the culmination of all that has been achieved by the MTS Contingent since September and it has been fantastic to see the enthusiasm and professionalism of the cadets involved. Huge credit is due to Contingent Commander, Major Helen Irwin and all of her staff.”

Claire Tao, Headmistress of Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School, said: “This was another highly successful annual inspection for Merchant Taylors’ Combined Cadet Force and my first as Headmistress at the Girls’ School, which was incredibly special for me.”

“To see pupils rise to the challenge of all that CCF entails and to observe the senior cadets lead with such aplomb is a real honour.”

For the full album of photos for this event, please click here

SHARE:

Previous Post All News Next Post

Latest News

  • Acclaimed Musicians Lead Inspiring Music Masterclasses at Merchant Taylors’ School
  • Introducing Our New Pupil Leadership Team
  • Merchant Taylors’ Pupils Champion Student Wellbeing at London Conference
  • Merchant Taylors’ Pupils Shine at Alderley Edge Festival
  • Seven Pupils Offered Coveted Places with National Youth Theatre
View All News

Upcoming Events

  • Summer Holiday Club 2025 on July 8, 2025 8:30 am
  • Summer Holiday Club 2025 on July 9, 2025 8:30 am
  • Summer Holiday Club 2025 on July 15, 2025 8:30 am
  • Summer Holiday Club 2025 on July 17, 2025 8:30 am
  • Summer Holiday Club 2025 on July 21, 2025 8:30 am
View All Events

Join our family

admissions information sign up to our newsletter

SHARE:

Back to top

Instagram Feed

We’re incredibly proud of Aurora in Year 9, who We’re incredibly proud of Aurora in Year 9, who has been accepted onto the prestigious PLACED Academy Studio, a year-long programme in design, architecture and engineering for pupils across the North West.

Aurora secured her place through a competitive application process open to pupils from Years 9 to 12 throughout the North West, impressing the panel with her creativity, ambition and passion for design.

Over the next year, she’ll take part in workshops, skills sessions and mentoring - Well done, Aurora! 👏
Make this summer one to remember at Merchant Taylo Make this summer one to remember at Merchant Taylors’! ☀️🏫

We’ve got an exciting line-up of summer camps and activities for children of all ages, perfect for staying active, learning new skills and having fun with friends during the holidays.

Here’s what’s on:

⚽ Football Camp with @bobbygrantcoaching 

🏐 Netball Camp with Head of Netball, Jess Fowler

🏏 Cricket Camp - with Gary Yates and Simon Sutcliffe, 

🏉 Sale Sharks Rugby Development Camp – Train with the professionals from Sale Sharks

🎨 Summer Holiday Club – A fun-filled programme of games, sports, crafts and more for primary-aged children

All camps take place on site at Merchant Taylors’, with expert staff, outstanding facilities and a friendly, supportive environment.

Spaces are limited – book now and join us for an unforgettable summer - More info available by clicking the link in our bio ⤴️
Bound by Shared Tales ✨ As we close the doors t Bound by Shared Tales ✨

As we close the doors to our Girls’ School site for the final time, we reflect on the memories, friendships and futures shaped within its walls.

Bound by Shared Tales was written and narrated by Year 13 pupil Lauren Roseberry. Her words capture the spirit of the generations who walked these corridors - their voices, their dreams, and their enduring legacy.

Though the site may fall quiet, the story lives on.
A night to remember! ✨ Last week, our Sixth For A night to remember! ✨

Last week, our Sixth Form pupils marked the end of their Merchants' journey in style at the Leavers’ Ball at the Hilton. An evening filled with laughter, memories and celebration, the perfect send-off for a brilliant year group.

Full gallery available via our Facebook page 📸
Last week, Year 7 enjoyed a fantastic day explorin Last week, Year 7 enjoyed a fantastic day exploring Halton Castle and @nortonpriory as part of their historical site study on Medieval England.

At Halton Castle, pupils toured the ruins and got hands-on with replica armour and weapons. After lunch in the sunshine, they headed to Norton Priory for an interactive workshop where they solved a history mystery, tried writing with quills, and made their own herbal 'Muzzy-Tuzzies'.

The day ended with some friendly competition and a visit to the gift shop, a brilliant way to bring their history learning to life!

#lovenorton
Earlier this month, a group of Sixth Form pupils t Earlier this month, a group of Sixth Form pupils travelled to the University of St Andrews to compete in the finals of the National Ethics Cup - a prestigious competition combining debate and public speaking around complex ethical issues.

Pupils presented and defended their views on topics including AI in music, online gossip, and social media identity, before being cross-examined by both judges and opposing teams. The competition demanded careful research, clear communication, and agile critical thinking.

Our team performed strongly, winning their opening heat against Winstanley College before being narrowly defeated by Runshaw College. Despite not progressing to the semi-finals, the pupils gained invaluable experience and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge, particularly the chance to meet and connect with students from across the UK.

We are very proud of how they represented the school and are grateful for the support of the Old Girls’ and Old Boys’ Associations in making the trip possible.
Earlier this week, we launched our Strategic Direc Earlier this week, we launched our Strategic Direction 2025–2030, a forward-looking plan that sets out our priorities for the years ahead, including our commitment to academic excellence, pupil wellbeing, and investment in facilities and infrastructure.

As part of our transition to a fully coeducational school from September 2025, we are undertaking a number of developments across the site, including the full refurbishment of our swimming pool to support sport and physical education for all pupils.

You can explore the full document via the link in our bio ⤴️
Last Friday, our Year 11 pupils marked the end of Last Friday, our Year 11 pupils marked the end of their GCSEs with a fantastic prom at Hope Street Hotel. It was an evening full of laughter, dancing and celebration - a fitting way to round off their time in Year 11.

Full gallery of photos available via our Facebook page 📸
Merchant Taylors' image

ADDITIONAL INFO
Disclaimer
Privacy
Cookie Usage
Terms & Conditions
Website Credits

LINKS
Intranet
iSAMS – Staff Portal
iSAMS – Student Portal
iSAMS – Parent Portal
SOCS Login
SOCS Calendar
Library

 
Contact
Join Our Team
Policies
Events
Governance

Admissions: 0151 949 9366
Primary School: 0151 924 1506
Senior Girls: 0151 924 3140
Senior Boys: 0151 928 3308
Sports Centre: 0151 949 9355

The Merchant Taylors’ School
Liverpool Road
Crosby
Liverpool
L23 0QP

Our social links

© The Merchant Taylors’ Schools, Crosby
Company No: 6654276
Registered Charity No: 1125485

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT