We are pleased to share some fantastic news about the future of our School community.  

 When a school intends to make a change to its organisational structure in relation to its proprietor, address, age range of pupils, registered capacity, coeducational or single-sex status, or boarding provision, it is required to seek approval from the Department for Education so that the Secretary of State for Education may be satisfied that the necessary preparations are underway and conditions appropriate to the change. 

 Once an application is received, the Department for Education commissions an inspection with the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate which then reviews the evidence of such preparations at the school and whether these are appropriate, indicating whether the relevant Independent School Standards and Regulations ‘are likely to continue to be met in relation to the school if the change is made’. 

 As part of our journey towards becoming a fully coeducational school, we submitted our application for material change to the Department for Education at the start of the academic year, and were inspected on the 30th April and 1st May. The two-day visit was conducted by two senior reporting inspectors who toured Stanfield and the Boys’ School, met with staff and governors, conducted interviews with pupils and a range of staff, and conducted a scrutiny of various documentation, policies, and records. 

 We are delighted to report that ISI has now published its final report which is very positive and concludes that ‘the school is likely to meet the relevant Independent School Standards if the material change is implemented. It is recommended that the material change be approved’. Please find a copy of this inspection report on this link; while the report confirms that standards are met, I would highlight the following snapshots from the inspectors’ observations from their visit at the end of last term. 

• Smooth Transition: Our preparations will allow boys and girls to complete their course of study without disruption. 

• Inclusive Opportunities: With provision of a wide range of co-curricular opportunities, we encourage high levels of participation, ensuring equality of access to the full range of activities. 

• High-Quality Teaching: Teaching is characterised by well-planned lessons with teachers demonstrating a secure knowledge of the pupils and their needs. 

• Robust Safeguarding: Implementation of safeguarding procedures is effective with additional training for staff in preparation for a fully coeducational environment. 

• Strong Supervision: Pupils are properly supervised with a visible staff presence during the day. 

• Effective Governance: Governors maintain effective oversight of school leaders’ work to ensure the effective safeguarding of pupils and staff, health and safety, and the promotion of the wellbeing of pupils, and governors and leaders fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that Standards are met consistently. 

Leaders actively promote the wellbeing of pupils through strategic and operational planning. 

Alongside this very positive news, the inspection provided a wonderful opportunity for the Schools’ preparations to be reviewed by external experts as well as evaluate the positive work that has taken place at Stanfield since its move to coeducation in 2022. 

 In light of the findings of this inspection visit, I am now proud to confirm that we have received full approval from the Department of Education of our request for material change, and all is in place for the merger to take effect from the 1st September 2025 when the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools as well as Stanfield become Merchant Taylors’ Schools, Crosby.