Seven Pupils Offered Coveted Places with National Youth Theatre

We are delighted to announce that seven of our pupils have successfully gained a place with the prestigious National Youth Theatre (NYT) following auditions held here at school earlier this year.

With over 6,000 applicants and just 700 places available across the UK, securing a place in the NYT is an exceptional achievement. It reflects not only the talent and creativity of our pupils, but also the dedication and preparation they put into their performances.

Congratulations to: Niamh, India, Nicole, Jensen, Niamh, Addie, and Hope/

The National Youth Theatre has a long-standing reputation for nurturing young performers and providing them with professional-level training and opportunities to work alongside some of the best in the industry. For our pupils to be part of this inspiring community is a testament to their passion for the performing arts.

We are thrilled to celebrate their success and look forward to following their journeys with the NYT and beyond.

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Economics Pupils Secure Prestigious CISI Qualification

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.

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A Legacy in Song: Merchant Taylors’ Hosts Spectacular Gala

On Wednesday 2nd April, Merchant Taylors’ School proudly hosted its highly anticipated gala concert, Voices Through Time, in the heart of Liverpool at St George’s Hall. This extraordinary event celebrated the school’s rich 405-year history through a harmonious blend of music and storytelling.

The evening’s performances intertwined music with key moments from the school’s storied past, creating an engaging journey through time. From classical compositions reflecting the early years of the school to modern pieces symbolising its evolution, the event beautifully bridged generations, highlighting the enduring legacy of Merchant Taylors’ School.

With a repertoire that spanned genres and centuries, the concert captivated the audience with remarkable vocal and instrumental talent. Each performance was a testament to the dedication and creativity of our pupils and staff, as well as the school’s commitment to fostering excellence in the arts.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who attended and supported this memorable evening. Your enthusiasm made ‘Voices Through Time’ a true celebration of the school’s heritage and future.

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Welcome Mr Philip Dearden: New Head of Merchant Taylors’ Schools

It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Mr Philip Dearden as the new Head of Merchant Taylors’ Schools. Philip brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in education, both in the UK and overseas.

Mr Dearden was born on the Wirral and educated at St Anselm’s in Birkenhead before reading Modern Languages at the University of Nottingham, where he achieved BA, PGCE, and a MA in Educational Leadership. His professional experience spans both the maintained and independent sectors, including his role as Head of Modern Foreign Languages at the British School of Colombo and subsequently as Deputy Head at Wycombe Abbey International School in China. In 2017 he joined King Henry VIII School in Coventry as Deputy Head, later becoming Headmaster in 2020.

Philip Marshall KC, Chair of the Board of Governors said, “We are delighted to welcome Philip and his family to Merchant Taylors’ Schools. His extensive experience and proven leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and growth of our school. We look forward to working closely with him to achieve our shared vision for the future.”

Philip Dearden responded, “I am honoured and excited to return home to Merseyside to lead Merchant Taylors’ Schools, especially given their reputation for academic excellence and a wide-ranging co-curricular programme. As a serving Head of a historic independent city school, I deeply appreciate the significance in nurturing tradition while driving innovation and excellence in education. I am eager to work with staff, pupils, families and our alumni to build on the School’s outstanding legacy.”

As a School community, please join us in extending a warm welcome to Philip, his wife, Catherine and their children, Arthur and Ted, as they embark on this new chapter with Merchant Taylors’ Schools.

Mr Dearden with his family

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Merchant Taylors’ RAF Cadets Achieve Second Place in National Finals

Merchant Taylors’ is thrilled to announce a remarkable achievement by our RAF Cadets, who secured an impressive second place in the National Royal Air Squadron Trophy Finals recently. This outstanding accomplishment is a testament to their dedication, skill, and teamwork.

The team narrowly missed out on first place by just one point, standing out among 218 RAF sections nationwide. Competing against 12 other schools, our cadets showcased exceptional prowess and determination, earning them well-deserved recognition on a national stage.

This achievement highlights the excellence of our CCF programme and the hard work of our pupils. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Tobias, Neave, Kevin, Frankie, Thomas, Katie, David, Zach, Max, Heather, Lexi, Cooper, Beau, Will, and Luca for their outstanding performance.

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Merchant Taylors’ Celebrates Cadet Achievements at Inspection Day

On Friday 28 March, Merchant Taylors’ School proudly hosted its 2025 Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Inspection Day. The event showcased what is one of the largest CCF contingents in the North, which celebrated its centenary in 2015. With nearly 250 officers and cadets, the CCF at Merchant Taylors’ exemplifies a strong commitment to fostering leadership, discipline, and camaraderie.

This impressive contingent is set to grow even further, with an additional 100 cadets joining the ranks when they transition to Year 9 this September. As a result, Merchant Taylors’ continues to boast one of the largest voluntary CCF contingents nationwide.

Contingent Commander Lt Col Paul Ennis welcomed guests

Contingent Commander, Lt Col Paul Ennis began the event by warmly welcoming over 100 guests to the School. He provided an engaging overview of the CCF cadets’ activities over the past twelve months, highlighting their training weekends at Altcar, ship visits, and their impressive performances in various regional and national competitions, including finishing in second place in the National Royal Air Squadron Trophy recently.

Following the welcome, the Contingent undertook the first parade and the Inspection of the Guard was conducted by the Inspecting Officer, Colonel Justin Tancrel. Col Tancrel is SO1 Air Manoeuvre Sustainability, Army Futures, Army HW – (On loan from HQ 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team). He joined the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment in 1992, was with 2 PARA for nine years and in 2017, upon promotion, accepted the privilege to Command 4 LANCS on transfer to The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

After this, our cadets showcased their remarkable abilities through a series of engaging activities. Visitors were treated to impressive demonstrations at various stands, including the exhilarating gun run, the immersive flight simulator, and the precision of archery.

The day concluded with all the cadets marching onto the square, where Inspecting Officer Lieutenant Colonel Justin Tancrel addressed them. Col Tancrel expressed his admiration for the cadets, commending their efforts and achievements. He emphasised that they had every reason to be proud of their hard work and dedication.

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Year 6 Pupils Shine in Romeo and Juliet Performance

Last week, our Year 6 pupils embarked on an exciting theatrical adventure as they prepared for their captivating performance of Shakespeare’s timeless play, Romeo and Juliet.

Guided by the talented professionals from the Stage Door Theatre Company, our pupils explored a variety of theatrical skills, including improvisation, character development, and expressive movement.

During rehearsals, our talented pupils not only honed their acting abilities but also gained a profound understanding of the play’s intricate layers. They immersed themselves in the tragic world of Romeo and Juliet, unravelling themes of love, conflict, and fate. Through this exploration, they discovered the essence of Shakespearean drama and the historical context that shaped Romeo and Juliet.

On Friday afternoon, the pupils put on a wonderful performance for parents, showcasing their hard work and dedication.

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Dexter Awarded Prestigious Scholarship

We are thrilled to announce that Dexter, a Year 11 pupil, has been awarded the esteemed Arkwright Engineering Scholarship for the 2025/26 academic year by The Smallpiece Trust. This achievement is the culmination of a rigorous application process, which included a 15-minute presentation, three challenging exams, and a comprehensive interview.

As part of this prestigious scholarship, Dexter will be paired with a professional engineer who will serve as his mentor. This mentor will provide invaluable advice and guidance on his future studies and career development, as well as technical advice for his upcoming projects.

In addition to the mentorship, Dexter will receive a financial award to support his STEM-related activities. This award can be used for travel, purchasing STEM equipment, or other educational pursuits.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dexter on this remarkable achievement and look forward to seeing all the great things he will accomplish in the future.

Congratulations, Dexter!

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World Book Day 2025

On Thursday 7th March, Merchant Taylors’ celebrated World Book Day with a vibrant array of activities that brought the joy of reading to life for pupils and staff alike.

The day was marked by creativity, enthusiasm, and a shared love for literature. Pupils dressed up as their favourite book characters, transforming the school into a colourful display of literary imagination. From classic characters like Paddington Bear to modern favourites like Harry Potter, each classroom showcased the diverse interests of our pupils.

Throughout the day, pupils shared their favourite books and characters with their classmates. These discussions not only highlighted the variety of books enjoyed by our pupils but also fostered a deeper appreciation for reading. Throughout the day children participated in reading sessions, where they explored new genres and authors. These sessions provided an opportunity for everyone to discover new stories and broaden their literary horizons.

As part of the celebrations, pupils engaged in a literacy scavenger hunt, racing against each other to find literary techniques such as similes, speech, metaphors, and descriptive writing within their books. This fun, interactive classroom activity turned pupils into searchers and solvers, playing detectives while building teamwork, communication, and literacy skills.

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Science Quiz Team Secures Spot in National Finals at Oxford University

We are thrilled to announce that our Science Quiz Team has secured a place in the national finals at Oxford University this July!

Our talented pupils, Sophia, Joshua, Harriet, and George, have demonstrated exceptional knowledge and teamwork, successfully navigating both the first round and the semi-finals to earn their spot in this prestigious competition.

Organised by QuizClub.org, these quizzes provide a fun yet competitive platform for pupils across the country to showcase their knowledge in various challenging rounds. Our team has shown remarkable dedication and skill, making us incredibly proud.

We wish the team the best of luck in the finals this July!

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