Merchant Taylors’ School is celebrating an exceptional set of A Level results, with 42% of all grades awarded at A* – the School’s strongest A Level performance in the exam room since 2010.
Half of the cohort achieved straight A* or A grades across all their subjects. Overall, 74% of grades were awarded at A*–A and 93.6% at A*–B, reflecting the strength and consistency of academic achievement across the year group. Alongside their A Levels 24 pupils also completed an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), with 79% achieving an A* or A grade.
The results will see pupils progress to some of the UK’s most academically competitive universities. Thirty pupils have secured places at one of the UK’s G5 universities – Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, the London School of Economics and UCL – including nine who will progress to Oxford or Cambridge. Eight pupils will go on to study Medicine and Dentistry.
Across the year group, leavers will pursue an impressive range of subjects, including Aeronautical Engineering, Robotics and AI, French and Linguistics, Music, Motorsport Engineering, Fine Arts and Chemistry with Molecular Physics, reflecting the breadth of their academic interests and ambitions.
A number of departments delivered particularly strong results. In Mathematics, 48% of grades awarded A*, while in Further Mathematics, an impressive 81% of grades were A* and 97% A*-A. Every pupil studying French, Music, Classical Greek and Latin achieved an A* or A grade, while 90% of Art grades were awarded at A*-A. Biology, English Literature, DET and Philosophy also saw more than 75% of grades awarded at A* or A.
“Results Day inevitably brings attention to grades and percentages, and these results are certainly worthy of celebration. But behind every grade is an individual story: a boy who has discovered where his strengths lie, teachers who have known when to challenge and when to encourage him, and ambitions that have developed during his time at Taylors”. I am immensely proud of this year group’s achievements but am even more excited to think where their individual talents will take the next.”
Among those celebrating today is Head Monitor, Jai E., who achieved four A*s and will go on to study Medicine at the University of Oxford. Reflecting on both his academic journey and his leadership role at Taylors’, Jai said:
“Being Head Monitor has been one of the best experiences of my life. It has been an honour and a privilege to give back to the community. Academically, I’ve always felt able to ask questions and I have been pushed and supported in the best ways.”
Yuvraj B. achieved an A* and two As and has secured a place to study Dentistry at the University of Birmingham. His choice of degree brings together several interests he has developed at Taylors’. During his time at the School, Yuvraj also established Taylors’ first Medicine and Dentistry Society, which gave him the opportunity to connect with OMTs working in medical and dental fields. “That really helped with my university application and gave me the chance to learn from alumni already working in the professions.”
“Dentistry combines my passion for Science with the hands-on skills I have explored through Art and DET.”
Sam Y. was delighted to achieve three A*s and will now take a gap year to focus on developing his technology consultancy business. His experience at Taylors’ has extended well beyond his academic studies, including helping to organise a wellbeing conference and playing an active role in School life.
“The people and the support from an extra-curricular standpoint have been great.”
Dominic D. achieved three A*s and is heading to the University of Oxford to study Music, having secured an Organ Scholarship. A Merchant Taylors’ Music Scholar, Dominic arrived at Taylors’ as a pianist before being encouraged to try to organ in the Great Hall – an introduction that would ultimately shape his next step.
“I was a pianist before I joined. There is an organ in the Great Hall, I was encouraged to try it and I’ve never looked back!”
Today’s results mark the culmination of the boys’ Merchant Taylors’ academic journey, but not the end of their connection with the School. As the newest members of the Old Merchant Taylors’ community, they join a global network of former pupils and will remain part of the life of Taylors’ long after they leave Northwood.
We congratulate the Class of 2026 on their exceptional achievements and wish them every success as they embark on the next stage of their journeys.
