Pupils at Merchant Taylors’ Schools are celebrating an outstanding year of GCSE results

Pupils at Merchant Taylors’ Schools are celebrating an outstanding year of GCSE results with over 30% of all marks attained with the top A* grade. This is the highest percentage for 7 years. This year’s results are the outcome of a major GCSE reform that, for most subjects, meant they have moved from modular assessed courses to a linear 2 year structure with one exam at the end and no resit opportunities.

At the Girls’ School 66% of all grades were A*/A marks and 28 girls achieved these top marks for all their exams. There was a 100% pass rate in the sciences and the highest achievers were Georgina Beechey and Charlotte Cheshire with 9A* grades. Georgina also gained an A in Further Maths.

Mrs Louise Robinson, Headmistress of the Girls’ School, said “I am delighted with this year’s results and I would like to congratulate all our girls and their families. The new linear structure for GCSE courses is much tougher for students so to gain a higher percentage of marks overall indicates how hard they have worked, supported by a dedicated staff.”

Both Boys’ and Girls’ Schools achieved highly in the STEM subjects with A*/A grades at 72% in Biology, Chemistry and Physics demonstrating academic rigour. The Boys’ School can also boast of 76% A*/A grades in Maths and a large number of boys gained in excess of 7A* grades. Vyas Burra came out on top with 11A* grades. As well as focusing on his exams Vyas, who eventually hopes to study medicine at Cambridge, has been heavily involved in volunteer work this year and committed time to several organisations including a charity shop, library and local care home.

The Headmaster of the Boys’ School, Mr David Cook, also congratulated the students. He said “We have a demanding curriculum and expect much of the boys in terms of balancing academic rigour with a wide and varied extra-curricular programme. They have done well across the board and I am very proud of their achievements. I would also like to thank the parents and our staff for their support and commitment in the helping the boys to reach this high standard.”