Merchant Taylors’ pupils shine in A Level results despite lockdown challenges
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.
