Teachers and staff at Merchant Taylors’ School have spoken of their pride and admiration for their students after they achieved excellent A Level results this year.
Despite the challenges faced by the Covid-19 pandemic, more than two thirds of all students recorded A* to B grades, including more than 30 boys and girls who achieved straight A or A* grades.
Two students, Matthew Marsh and Rananjay Singh, scored four A* grades, while a further three, Victoria Smith, Doiminic McGeown and Christopher Stuttard, achieved three A* grades and an A.
Among the many Merchant Taylors’ success stories is Joel Clarke, who achieved an incredible two A* and three A grades and is now looking forward to studying Law at Durham University. Meanwhile, Head Boy Matthew Cheshire is leaving to study Land Economy at Cambridge University after also achieving three A* grades and an A.
At the Girls’ School, Dite Bagdonaite and Francesca Curran both scored two A* and one A grade and are leaving to study Law at Durham University and Modern Foreign Languages at Lancaster University respectively.
Other destinations include Imperial College London, UCL and Durham.
David Wickes, Headmaster at Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School, said: “I am incredibly proud of the young men for their remarkable efforts in the midst of unprecedented times. This group have made a significant impression on the school during their time here.
“Whether it be in the classroom, on the sports field, in the concert hall, on stage or in the wider community, they have shown commitment, passion and not a little ability, ultimately achieving a great deal and setting very high standards. Therefore, it is pleasing that, as a cohort, they have been able to emerge with such a strong set of grades.
“Having seen the way that they engaged with their excellent teachers during our online learning, I know that they will be frustrated that they have not had the opportunity to sit their examinations and I suspect that a number will take examinations in the Autumn series meaning that these already excellent results will, in due course, become even more impressive.
“We wish them well as they move on to the next stage of their careers and will remember them fondly.”
Claire Tao, Headmistress at Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School, said: “The girls should be so proud of themselves this year, not only for their results today, but for the way they have continued to work remotely and improve their knowledge throughout the Covid-19 lockdown.
“The girls have once again performed well across a breadth of subject areas, from the Arts and Humanities to Maths and Science, and they leave here with an education that has been enriched by unique opportunities, specialist subject knowledge and lifelong friendships.
“Their talent, work ethic and intellectual curiosity will set them in excellent stead as they move forward to the next stage of their academic careers. There is no limit to what they can achieve and being a part of the Merchant Taylors’ family means they will have our full support whenever they may need it in future.
Admissions Officer Sue Barrington, retires after 18 years at the school. Sue joined Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School as PA to the Headmistress in March 2002. In 2007 she was appointed as Admissions Officer for MTGS and in 2018 became Admissions Officer for all year groups throughout Merchant Taylors’ Schools more recently based in the Lodge at MTBS. Sue says she has thoroughly enjoyed her diverse roles liaising with colleagues, parents and pupils, and over the years she has dealt with thousands of enquiries through to admission. Following her dedicated 18 years’ service, Sue will be getting creative in her art studios at home. She wishes the School, its staff and pupils every success in the future. 
I was a pupil at MTGS between 1977 and 1985. I educated my three sons, Ben, Max and Joe at MTS, all three went from Reception through 6th Form between 1999 and 2018. I have been a member of PE staff for the last 18.5 years, teaching swimming to junior girls and junior boys, as well as spending many of those years teaching PE to reception and infants at Stanfield.
‘I’ve had the pleasure of working with many wonderful colleagues over the past 27 years and I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone. I have loved my time here and have many happy memories of Prize Givings, Concerts, Christmas Plays and numerous other fun events too numerous to mention.
Richard Greenwood OBE, President, MTS Crosby Old Boys’ Association, said: 
Simon says: ‘The highlight of coaching Merchants players was 2017 when the 1st XI won three trophies and the Under 15 team, captained by my son Jackson and including outstanding players such as Rob and Harvey Rankin, George Politis and Oliver Green, won the Lancashire, North West, and North Cups in both T20 and 40 over cricket, and played in the national finals of both. Finishing runners-up in the 40 over trophy and joint winners of the T20 trophy was an absolutely amazing achievement, and I think my biggest disappointment is that the 2020 1st XI, which would have included most of that side, has been deprived of cricket this term.’
Ian McKie has been Head of Physical Education since 1993. In his time he has seen countless sports teams and tours, and some of his former pupils have shared their memories:
She joined the staff in 1985 having trained initially as an orchestral violinist with professors from the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music, and as a postgraduate at Cambridge University (Trinity Hall) she was a member of the renowned Queen’s College Choir.
Head of Modern Languages Yvonne Whalley also leaves after 30 years at the school; many Old Girls talk about how Señora (or Madame!) Whalley devoted her time to ensure the girls got the most out of their schooling.
