The Company was at first an association of
tailors. By the end of the 17th century, its connection with the tailoring trade had virtually ceased and it became what it is today, a philanthropic and social association – albeit that it has recently rekindled its links with
Savile Row and is the principal sponsor and organiser of the prestigious biannual "Golden Shears" competition for aspiring young tailors. It owns
Merchant Taylors' School in Sandy Lodge and St John's Preparatory School in Northwood, both in Hertfordshire, and is associated with
Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby,
Merchant Taylors' Girls' School in Crosby,
Wolverhampton Grammar School,
Foyle and Londonderry College,
Wallingford School, and
The King's School, Macclesfield. It is also associated with
St John's College, Oxford, founded by
Sir Thomas White (a Master of the Company) in 1555, and with
Pembroke College, Cambridge. It donates prizes to
St. Helen's School in Northwood, which is considered its 'sister school', and supports an
opera student at the
Guildhall School of Music and Drama. It also supports
Treloar School in Hampshire, a school and college for children with physical disabilities. It has a major interest in charitable support for the elderly and isolated in Inner London, as well as for people living with disabilities. It is a major provider of
almshouses in the
London Borough of Lewisham and has plans to develop brand new accommodation for local elderly people. ==Ranking==