Founded in 1620 by John Harrison, citizen and Merchant Taylor of London, it moved in 1878 to its present site in a residential suburb. It is well equipped with modern facilities, including a new sports hall for all the Merchant Taylor schools (open in 2011). A separate junior school is located next to the main school. It is non-denominational. Academic standards are high and examination results are very good. It has well-established links with the girls' school for many extra-curricular activities particularly music and drama, and there is some joint teaching. Strong in music; and the drama and art departments are very active. Good range of sports and games resulting in high standards and a lot of county representatives in various disciplines. A number of activities including CCF, debating society and participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Pupils: Total age range 7-18, 838 day boys. Junior department 7-11, 225 boys. Senior department 11-18, 613 boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade B (including in sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 60% main senior intake plus 90% new intake to sixth form.
Approx 15 pa school assisted places and 6 pa academic scholarships, value 12%-50% fees (awarded at 11 and 16). 20 bursaries available. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; £70 maximum extras (lunch is extra).
Headmaster: David Cook, appointed 2005. Educated at Birkbeck College, University of London (history MA) .Previously Deputy Head at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital, and Head of History and Boarding Housemaster at Giggleswick. Also held a short-service commission in the Cheshire Regiment. Teaching staff: 56 full time, 11 part time. Annual turnover 5%. Average age 40.
GCSE: 97 pupils in upper fifth: 99% gained at least grade C in 9+ subjects. A-levels: 89 in upper sixth: 75% passed in 4+ subjects, 25% in 3 subjects; average final point score of 422.
95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (6% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 15% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 15% in science and engineering, 15% in law, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 5% in art and design, 5% in other subjects such as pharmacy, sports science, music or go on to employment, armed forces or retake A-levels.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 subjects (including A-level philosophy). Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition, all take AS and A-level general studies. 40% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities; 20% both. Key skills integrated into courses as relevant. Enrichment courses (GTX) to help develop 'soft skills' eg beekeeping to robotics, scuba-diving to jewellery-making and code-breaking to first-aid; sixth-form pupils may help staff lead activities. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: Dyslexic counselling. Languages: French, German and Spanish at GCSE and A-level. Regular exchanges (France and Germany). ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 60 computers for pupil use (9 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. All pupils take Clait.
Music: About 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Various musical groups including choral society, chamber choir, band, jazz group, string, wind and brass ensembles. Regular concerts given in Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Several pupils in regional youth orchestra. Drama: Drama offered and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school and house/other productions. Members of National Youth Theatre and actors in TV series and films. Art and design: On average, 15 take GCSE, 5 A-level. Textiles, printmaking, ceramics and photography also offered. Art work is professionally exhibited locally and nationally
Sport: Rugby, hockey, cross-country, rowing compulsory in winter; tennis, cricket, athletics in summer. Optional: swimming, golf. 3 nationally ranked tennis players; many county rugby, hockey, cricket representatives (various ages); rugby teams successful nationally, hockey team regular county champions. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service optional. Many clubs, including drama, debating, model railway, science, philosophy, classics, photography, chess, bridge, economics, history, geography, theatre, film.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy, head of house and house officials, appointed by the Headmaster. Religion: Non-denominational Christian assemblies involve prayers and readings; RS classes explain (amongst other things) the meaning and purpose of Christian worship. Parents may opt their children out; very few do. Social: Drama, music, several societies with sister girls' school. Some organised trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school. Meals informal. School shop.
Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a verbal warning. Those involved in serious breaches of rules might expect immediate suspension until facts were verified and those with drugs may be expelled.
The Old Boys' Association, c/o the school website, also the alumni database (Merchants' Connected)
Lord (Robert) Runcie (former Archbishop of Canterbury); Nigel Rees (author and broadcaster); James Allen (Formula 1 commentator); Ben Kay (international rugby player).
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