Report: Laura Cahill

It has been a tremendous year for Merchant Taylors’ Schools with more than 1 in 3 GCSE results being awarded A* or the new grade 8-9. Overall, 78% of grades achieved A*-B/9-6 grades, making this a year to remember.

Merchant Taylors’ has an excellent reputation for achieving top grades but young people here are also involved in a vast array of extra-curricular activities. Every year students celebrate huge success in music, sport and many other areas. This particular year group saw the boys become National Cricket Champions in 2017, while the girls excelled in athletics, becoming Sefton Champions.

GCSE results day can be a nerve-wrecking time, but students did themselves proud by working hard and taking advantage of all the help the Schools were able to consistently offer.

Jay Singh from Allerton in Liverpool, achieved the best results at Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School having gained 7 grades 9s and 3 A*. Not only has Jay done extremely well academically, he also plays hockey and cricket and is working towards Grade 8 saxophone. He, along with three other boys and a student from the Girls’ School, have their own band called Sax Pac who have played many gigs and have even appeared on the Linda McDermott show on BBC Radio Merseyside.

Matthew Marsh from Ormskirk, also did incredibly well having achieved 6 grade 9s, 3 A* and an A. Alongside his studies Matthew plays hockey and is a member of the Combined Cadet Force.

Alex Barker-Weinberger, from Aughton (pictured) has really embraced life at Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School. This year he achieved 5 grade 9s, 3 A* and a grade 8 at GCSE and this is in addition to the many activities and sports groups he belongs to.

For many years now Alex has been a keen chess player, entering many competitions on his own and as part of a team at school. No only this, Alex is a keen cricket player and enjoys his rugby too, even taking on the role of Captain for his local Lancashire Rugby Union team. On top of his sports commitments Alex regularly takes part in drama productions. “Recently I played the Grasshopper in James and the Giant Peach and I played Fizzy the Cleaner in Bugsy Malone which was a lot of fun.”

Alex has made every effort to use all the opportunities available to him at Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School. “It’s been brilliant here at merchants. I’ve really loved it and I can’t wait for 6th form.”

Alex’s Mum Jane, joined him to collect his GCSE results and could not be happier. “This really has been the best school for my boys. They have done so well and really enjoy themselves here. We’re off for a celebratory meal later and flying off to Spain at 3.30am tonight so it’s certainly been a busy day!”

Only two weeks ago Alex’s brother Tom was collecting his A Level results. He gained 3 A* and 1 A grade and is heading to Cambridge next month to read History.

Ewan Rooney, from Formby, was pleased to achieve 2 level 9's, 3 level 8's, 3 A* and 1 level 6 - he recently played a mobster in a production of To Kill a Mockingbird but is also a keen rugby and cricket player.

At the Girls’ School, Abigail Jones, from Southport, achieved 4 grade 9s, 4 grade 8s and 1 grade 7, plus an A. A keen swimmer and lover of sport, Abigail spent the summer on a school sports tour to Australia and Singapore and played in the Sydney Olympic Park where her team won their hockey match.

David Wickes, who takes up the post of Headmaster at the Boys' School in September 2018, commented: “Our young men have clearly embraced life at Merchant Taylors and have taken advantage of the many opportunities on offer here. Through their dedication, commitment and ambition, they have challenged themselves and have not been found wanting.

"It is pleasing to see so many of the students achieving the highly prized grade 9 which has been introduced to distinguish the really top performers. When this is set alongside the many other interests that they pursue outside of the classroom, it shows that these young men are an impressive group and make us all very proud. Well done to all of them and also to the parents and staff who have supported them over the years.”

And Headmistress at the Girls’ School, Claire Tao was equally happy with the achievements of her students. “It has certainly been a great year for our girls. They have risen to the challenge of the new GCSEs. Their hard work has paid off and they are now enjoying the great results they deserve.

"There is enormous pressure on young people to excel in their exams and I believe the support and care we offer all of our students really helps them. We provide so much in terms of value added teaching and learning and we continually encourage our students to pursue their interests and passions.

"Congratulations to all the girls and thank you to the wonderful staff who have helped them along the way.”

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