The Mercers' Association of Schools and Colleges

Background

Since 1509, when St. Paul’s School was founded, the Mercers’ Company has built up a portfolio of schools in which it has a direct interest. Long-standing associations are through trusteeship, or the involvement of Mercers in founding a school or college (as with the St. Paul’s Schools, Colet Court, Abingdon, Collyers, Dauntseys, Peter Symonds). More recently, the Mercers were founding sponsors of new schools through the City Technology Colleges programme (Thomas Telford School), and Academies programme (Hammersmith, Madeley, Sandwell and Walsall Academies). Other members have joined the Association through their links with other aspects of the Company’s activities in London (Bute House, the Hall School, the Royal Ballet School, Holy Trinity & St. Silas and Culloden Primary Schools).

The Association today

The Company exercises its influence in the Association largely through governance, advisory work and networking (sharing best practice through school links, conferences, seminars and other activities for school governors, staff and students).

The deliberately diverse group of 17 schools and colleges includes some of the country’s leading independent and maintained educational institutions. Some feature regularly among the best schools in their sectors in the national league tables; others have earned reputations for excellence in specialist fields; while others have demonstrated spectacular success in tackling underachievement and turning failure into success. At the last count, over 14,000 students attended schools and colleges in the group.

Member schools

Details of the full list of member schools, their relationship with the Mercers’ Company and links to their own websites, can be found on our schools and colleges featured pages for independent schools and state schools, academies and colleges.