Founded in 1888, it is suburban and single-site in the centre of Crosby which is on the coast, 10 miles from Liverpool and 12 from Southport. Its well-designed and pleasant buildings lie amidst lovely gardens, with playing fields nearby. The space above the newly renovated and glass-fronted entrance is used as an art gallery, showing pupils' work as well as that of local, national and international artists. A new sports centre is for use by all the Merchant Taylors' schools (open 2011). The mixed infants and junior girls' school, Stanfield, is nearby. It is a Christian non-denominational school and has strong traditional links with Merchant Taylors' Boys' School, especially in cultural activities. It is a well-run school with high academic standards and very good examination results. The music department is strong and there is a good range of extra-curricular activities and sports, where high standards are achieved. In the sixth form there is a very substantial commitment to local community services and over 80 girls are members of the joint CCF.
Pupils: Total age range 4-18; 877 day pupils (78 boys, 799 girls). Junior department, 4-11 320 pupils (78 boys, 242 girls). Senior department 11-18, 557 girls. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used. No special religious requirements; music and sports skills looked for. State school entry: several to sixth form each year. Own junior department provides approx 50% of senior intake.
School assisted places available, based on academic ability and means tested against parents' income; some 20% of pupils receive some form of financial help, up to full fees. Parents not expected to buy textbooks; dinner and music extra.
Headmistress: Mrs Louise Robinson, appointed 2006. Educated at Bishop Henshaw RC Memorial School (Rochdale) and York University (maths and computer science). Previously Principal at Howell's School (Denbigh), Deputy Head at Manchester High School and Senior Mistress at Bolton Girls' School. Teaching staff: 50 full time, 5 part time. Annual turnover 3%. Average age 40+.
GCSE: 85 pupils in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 9+ subjects. A-levels: 67 in upper sixth, all passing in 3+ subjects with an average final point score of 399.
95% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year), 9% to Oxbridge. 13% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 10% in science and engineering, 6% in law, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 13% in other subjects such as pharmacy, psychology, business, accountancy. Others typically go on to non-degree courses eg art foundation or resit A-levels.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 23 AS and A-level subjects. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; in addition most take AS and A-level general studies. 40% take science A-levels; 40% arts/humanities (including psychology, theatre studies); 20% both. Vocational: Work experience available. Special provision: A preliminary screening test for dyslexia is available and examination concessions arranged; all-round awareness of the condition though no specific dyslexia unit. Languages: French, German, Spanish and Latin offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. 125 computers for pupil use (8 hours a day), all networked and with email and internet access. GSCE, AS and A-level ICT offered.
Music: 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. 4 choirs, 2 orchestras and various chamber groups. Several girls in regional youth orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir, Cathedral choir. Music tour to Belgium. Drama: Drama offered, GCSE drama, A-level theatre studies, ESB exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions and all in form/other productions. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 6 A-level. Students work with leading artists through central school art gallery (The Vitreum).
Sport: Hockey, netball, badminton, swimming, dance, gymnastics, cross-country, lacrosse, athletics, tennis, rounders compulsory to age 14. Options after age 14 include invasion games, net games, striking and fielding games, gymnastics, dance, health-related fitness, athletics; also swimming and self defence when possible. Extra-curricular sport caters for all pupils, with opportunities for more gifted students to achieve at local, county and national level. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF optional at age 14+ (80 girls are members of joint CCF). Community service optional for sixth form (140 girls participate). Up to 15 clubs, including chess, dance, drama, debating etc, some joint with the boys' school.
Uniform: School uniform worn; dress code in sixth form. Houses and prefects: House system but many school affairs run by sixth-form committees. Head girl and 2 deputies, elected by staff and seniors, confirmed by Headmistress. School council. Religion: Compulsory, non-denominational morning assembly. Social: Work closely with brother school. Regular trips abroad. Pupils allowed to bring own car/bike/motorbike to school (but not use car park). Meals self-service. Tuck facilities at break.
Those involved in serious breaches of rules (eg caught smoking on the premises) might expect immediate suspension until facts were verified; those with drugs may be expelled.
is run by Mrs S Duncan, c/o the school. Alumni database (Merchants' Connected) accessed through school website.
Dame Beryl Bainbridge (novelist); Prof Janet Finch (Vice-Chancellor, Keele University); Jane Garvey (BBC presenter).
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