The Merchant Taylors’ community came together on Tuesday 25 June at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall for Speech Day 2025, an event celebrating the achievements, talents and spirit of pupils across the Senior Schools.

The ceremony opened with a welcome from Mr Philip Marshall KC, Chair of Governors, who shared details of the School’s newly launched Strategic Direction 2025–2030. He outlined ambitious plans for the years ahead, including a full refurbishment of the School’s swimming pool, part of a broader commitment to investment in facilities and pupil experience.

Executive Head Dr Michael Alderson delivered a thoughtful and encouraging address, reflecting on the values of a Merchant Taylors’ education and urging pupils to embrace challenge, personal growth and service to others. The audience then heard from Deputy Head Boys, Jude and George, who shared highlights and personal reflections from across the academic year at MTBS. Their speech captured the humour, hard work and spirit that defined their time in the School.

A musical interlude followed, with a powerful performance of Pueri Hebraeorum by Randall Thompson, delivered by the Senior Choir, Middle School Choir and Cambiata Choir. The performance was a striking showcase of the musical talent nurtured at Merchant Taylors’. Representing the Girls’ School, Deputy Head Girls, Claudia and Serenne, took to the stage to recount key moments from the year at MTGS. They celebrated the pupils’ academic and co-curricular achievements, as well as the warmth and community that characterise life at the School.

A lively performance from the Merchant Taylors’ Theatre Company added a dramatic flourish to the afternoon, as pupils delivered a joyful rendition of “I’d Do Anything” from Oliver!, delighting the audience with their energy and stagecraft.

The ceremony also included the presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award, which recognises outstanding contributions from former pupils. This year’s recipient was Barrie Wells, an Old Crosbeian, successful entrepreneur, and founder of the Barrie Wells Trust. Through initiatives such as Box4Kids, Barrie has made a lasting impact on the lives of seriously ill and disabled children, offering them VIP experiences at major events around the UK. His achievements and philanthropy reflect the values of generosity, ambition and service that the School seeks to inspire.

This year’s guest speaker was Dr Iain Buchan, W.H. Duncan Professor of Public Health Systems at the University of Liverpool, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Innovation, and an Old Crosbeian. Dr Buchan spoke with warmth about his time at Merchant Taylors’, sharing the lessons and experiences that shaped his path. He encouraged pupils to remain curious, take intellectual risks, and use their talents for the greater good, a message that resonated with pupils and parents alike.

The event drew to a close with a warm and heartfelt vote of thanks from Head Boy Kevin and Head Girl Atiyah, before the hall resonated with a rousing performance of the School Song and the National Anthem, a fitting end to a memorable celebration.

Speech Day 2025 was a celebration not only of academic achievement, but of character, creativity and community, the qualities that continue to define Merchant Taylors’ and its pupils.

We are proud to announce the appointment of our new Pupil Leadership Team for the coming academic year, a group of pupils who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, character, and leadership potential.

Kevin and Atiyah have been named as our new Head Boy and Head Girl, and will be supported by Claudia and Serenne as Deputy Head Girls, alongside George and Jude as Deputy Head Boys. These senior roles reflect the trust placed in them by staff and their peers, and we are confident they will lead with integrity and enthusiasm.

Our wider team of prefects will each champion a key area of school life. Macey and Danish will serve as Community Prefects, helping to strengthen connections within and beyond our school. Lily and Zach have been appointed as Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Prefects, and will work to ensure all voices are heard and celebrated across our community.

Meanwhile, Joe and Niamh will lead as Events Prefects, supporting the organisation and delivery of memorable experiences for pupils across the school. Zein and Sundus will take on the important role of Wellbeing Prefects, promoting a positive, supportive environment for all.

Each member of the team has already shown outstanding initiative and care for the school community, and we are excited to see the positive impact they will make in their new roles. We offer them our warmest congratulations and full support as they begin this important chapter.

Four pupils from Merchant Taylors’ School recently attended the annual Wellbeing Conference at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London. The event brought together pupils and staff from schools across the Merchant Taylors’ Company network. This year’s theme focused on safe spaces and belonging, with a strong emphasis on pupil voice and student wellbeing.

Inspiring Keynote Speakers

Delegates were treated to inspiring talks from award-winning poet and LGBT+ activist Dean Atta, and Seema Flower, founder of Blind Ambition. Seema is an international expert in disability and visual awareness. Both speakers encouraged attendees to think about how schools can create environments where people are accepted for who they are.

Merchant Taylors’ Pupils Present on the TENDO Programme

Claudia, David, Jude and Ruby gave a confident and engaging presentation on the School’s TENDO programme. They explained how it helps pupils feel part of the community and supports their wellbeing. Their talk was clear, thoughtful and well received by everyone in attendance.

Ruby, David, Claudia and Jude at the 2025 Wellbeing Conference, London.

Learning from Other Schools

The conference also featured workshops led by pupils from other Merchant Taylors’ Company schools. Wolverhampton Grammar School shared their work on Diversity Champions. Pupils from St Helen’s School discussed how they are exploring historical artefacts linked to colonialism and slavery to encourage inclusive discussion. Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood, presented on affinity theory and how our sense of connection with others shapes our behaviour.

Learning Together

A unique aspect of the day was the opportunity for pupils and staff to learn side by side. One delegate described the experience as “student voice, live in the moment,” highlighting the value of young people being part of professional learning conversations.

A Proud Moment for the School

Claudia, David, Jude and Ruby represented Merchant Taylors’ with maturity and insight. They demonstrated the values of respect, inclusivity and confidence. We are incredibly proud of their contribution and the example they set for others.

We are incredibly proud to share that nine of our Economics pupils have successfully passed the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) examination, earning professional qualifications and official membership of the Institute.

The CISI qualification is a highly regarded benchmark in the financial services sector, providing pupils with a solid foundation in finance, ethics, and investment. Gaining this qualification at school-age is a significant achievement, reflecting both the ambition of our pupils and the strength of our Economics provision.

This year, 60% of our candidates passed the examination, well above the national average of 33%. This result is testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment shown by our pupils, and to the support and expertise provided by our teaching staff.

We would like to offer our congratulations to: Alex, Anisha, Anna, Anthony, Bradley, James, John, Penelope, and Will.

Their success places them among the youngest in the country to be recognised as members of the CISI, and we are delighted to celebrate this exceptional accomplishment.