GCSE success for Merchant Taylors’ pupils

Pupils at Merchant Taylors’ School are celebrating after achieving excellent GCSE results.

Of all GCSE grades awarded to boys and girls, more than 50% were at grade 7 to 9, the equivalent of a former A or A*, with 90% of all pupils achieving those higher grades.

The number of higher GCSE grades awarded this year surpassed those achieved in 2019, when the last set of formal public examinations were taken prior to the pandemic.

There were strong performances across the school in a variety of subject areas. Among the individual success stories were Darren T and Hugh L, who achieved straight 9s, Eeva D and James W, who each achieved eight grade 9s and one grade 8, and Jess B who attained eight grade 9s and three grade 8s.

Bridget Ward, Head of Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School, said:

“Our girls can be incredibly proud of their achievements at GCSE this year and it is especially pleasing to see so many achieving the highest possible grades.

“This year group had its two years of GCSE study disrupted by the pandemic and this is the first time that public examinations have taken place since 2019, so their achievements this summer are even more remarkable.

“They have displayed tremendous resilience and character to retain their focus and realise their individual goals.

“Special thanks must go our excellent team of staff, who have offered unwavering academic and pastoral support to girls throughout this period and they should also be very proud of the positive impact they have had.”

Deiniol Williams, Head of Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School, said:

“Our boys have performed tremendously well this year and their achievements are even more impressive when viewed through the prism of the past two years.

“It has been a challenging time for pupils and staff, but they can all be proud of how they have pulled together through periods of remote learning and hybrid working to deliver an incredible set of results in the boys’ first taste of external examinations.

“The breadth of success across a wide range of subjects reflects the deep commitment to academic excellence that we hold at Merchant Taylors’. Boys know that no matter what their areas of passion, they will be guided by subject specialists at every step to achieve their own individual potential.