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GCSE Results Day 2025

Posted: 21st August 2025

Congratulations to all those receiving their A Level results today (Thursday August 14). Please scroll below to view news from BSA’s member schools:

August 21, 2025 – 18:28

Lancing College pupils excel in GCSE examinations

This year, Lancing College pupils achieved outstanding results in their GCSE examinations, a testament both to their hard work and to the dedication of their teachers and the wider Lancing community.

These important examinations pave the way to the Sixth Form, and this year’s successes will ensure that students can progress to study the A Levels of their choice. In a challenging time for the independent sector, this year’s candidates have once again demonstrated the exceptional benefits of a Lancing education, achieving at the very highest levels.

Headline statistics:

41% of grades were awarded Grade 8 or 9 – representing 30% of the cohort.

Today’s Grade 7–9 pass rate is an extraordinary 62% of all entries, the highest in recent memory for a year in which pupils sat examinations.

More than one in five grades awarded was the very highest, a Grade 9.

The average student grade across the whole cohort was a Grade 7, an A grade equivalent.

Departments of note include:
Maths IGCSE – 57% of all entries were awarded Grades 8 or 9, a remarkable achievement.
Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics – over three quarters of all grades were 7–9.

More broadly across England, 1,302 students achieved the highest Grade 9 in seven or more subjects. Ten of these were students from Lancing College, representing 9% of the Lancing year group!

Congratulating students, Dr Scott Crawford the incoming Head Master of Lancing College said:

I am absolutely delighted to celebrate this year’s excellent GCSE results, which provide such a strong foundation for the exciting years of Sixth Form study ahead. These achievements are a testament to the commitment and dedication of our pupils, the expertise and care of their teachers, and the tireless support of all our staff at Lancing. I would also like to recognise the parents and carers, whose encouragement and guidance play such a vital role in these successes.

Of course, public examination results only tell part of the story. A Lancing education extends far beyond grades, embracing the full breadth of learning, intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and character formation that together prepare our young people for life beyond school. It is this whole experience that truly sets them apart.

I am greatly looking forward to welcoming this cohort of pupils, as well as those joining the Sixth Form for the first time, over the coming weeks, and to seeing them flourish as they embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead.

August 21, 2025 – 16:25

Exceptional GCSE results for Taunton School students

Taunton School students are once again celebrating outstanding examination results, after last week achieving its strongest A-Level and BTEC results in recent years and achieving the same success at GCSE and IGCSE today.

Overall, 53% of the grades received by Taunton School Year 11 students today are graded 9-7.

Individual students who have particularly excelled include Robbie, achieving a complete set of 9s plus an A in GCSE Additional Maths; Evie, receiving a grade 9 for seven subjects and a grade 8 for the remaining two; and Zachary, achieving a grade 9 in six subjects and a grade 8 in three.

Headmaster James Johnson said: “I am delighted that the hard work and dedication of the students and staff have led to such a strong set of results. As always, behind the headline figures there are many examples of individual triumph.”

Taunton School International (TSI) has also seen its students receive great results in their GCSEs, with 48% of grades being 9-7.

Individual students whose results are particularly notable at Taunton School International include Rumi, a student from Russia who has achieved seven grade 9s, a grade 8 and a grade 7; Evelyn, a Chinese student who has achieved six grade 9s, a grade 7 and a grade 6; and Matilda, a German student who has achieved five grade 9s and two grade 7s.

Camilla Bryden, Taunton School International Head, said: “This is another year of fantastic results at Taunton School International, which makes me so proud of this cohort’s hard work and commitment to achieving top grades in an intensive one-year course that is predominantly in their second language.

“My heartfelt gratitude goes to all the staff at Taunton School International who are unwavering in their support and care of our very special students. Well done and well-deserved congratulations to each and every one of our international students!”

In all, 163 students have received results today. Notably, 72% of the grades received by our top 100 students are graded 9-7, with almost a quarter being grade 9.

Taunton School provides a curriculum that allows students to take (I)GCSE qualifications from more than 25 subjects, across three different pathways. This ensures every individual student has a curriculum that is suited to them and on which they can thrive. Taunton School International students have the option to study (I)GCSEs over one or two years, with a Pre-GCSE programme also being available.

Many students will now head to Taunton School Sixth Form to study A-Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or the International Foundation Year.

August 21, 2025 – 16:21

Phenomenal GCSE Results!

Leighton Park School was buzzing with families celebrating a record-breaking set of GCSE results this morning! 59% of grades were 9-7, with a whopping 41% of grades at 9-8. 18 students achieved all 9-7 grades and 43 students at least seven 7s!

Deputy Head (Academic), Alex Wallace, enthused: “We are absolutely delighted to announce our record-breaking GCSE results this year. They are a testament to the relentless dedication and hard work of our students and teachers. They truly deserve every bit of this remarkable success. Following the outstanding achievements in A Level and IB results, this summer has been a season of celebration for our entire school community.”

Leighton Park’s Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Maths (STEAM) academic departments achieved particularly impressive results, with the proportion of grades 9-7 shown in brackets, including: Engineering (76%), Chemistry (76%), Physics (70%), Textiles (70%). Computer Science (69%), Music (69%) Maths (67%) and Biology (63%). Leighton Park is one of very few schools in the UK to offer the Engineering GCSE, reflecting the School’s focus on teaching critical thinking and creative problem-solving.

Languages did very well, including French (73%), Russian (100%), Mandarin (80%) and German (83%). The school also offers a BTEC in Creative Media Production with six students enjoying Distinction* or Distinction grades.

“It’s a mark that the school is on an upward trajectory.” reflected Luke Walters, Leighton Park’s new Head, “Very able students achieve brilliant results here, and those children who need a little more support can also achieve excellent grades at Leighton Park. It’s because of our great teaching, and a supportive and very collegiate approach.”

“I’m so proud of how the Year 11s have done.” added Sam Bates, Head of Year 11 (2024-25). “They’ve worked so hard over the past two years; they’ve all done absolutely brilliantly!”

Alana Basinger, who is staying for Media, Music, Music Tech and Drama A Levels in the Sixth Form, commented: “I was excited and also quite nervous about what was going to happen but when I opened them it was a big relief because I feel like I’ve worked so hard. My teachers were really supportive, especially after the mock results, in helping me focus on what I can do to improve.”

“My teachers were perfect!” agreed Maia Singh “I don’t think I would have got anywhere near the same results without them. I am doing the IB next year because I don’t really like tests so much, I prefer coursework. There are smaller class sizes, more one-on-one time with teachers and if I’d done A Levels I would have concentrated on humanities but this allows me to keep Maths and Science too.”

Daniel Bailey, who achieved all 9s with 7 and 8 in English, is looking forward to joining the Sixth Form for Maths, Further Maths, DT and Physics with a view to pursuing an Engineering degree after A Levels, was pleased with his results and keen to head into town to claim his free results day meal deal as a celebration!

Eva Peirce, was another of the high flying students who achieved all 9-7 grades. “I got six 9s, three 8s and a 7. I came here in Year 7 so I’d have the option to do IB so that was always the plan. I have always enjoyed a wide variety of subjects. I want to do Medicine but I didn’t want to narrow my options so I wouldn’t have the opportunity to change my mind later on. I love History too so I didn’t want to drop that and just focus on STEM subjects.”

Focussing her academic attainment on A Levels next year, Alice Mackenzie enthused, “I’m just really grateful to all my teachers who have helped me to do quite well, I think. They give you a lot of help in the revision process. We all know that the school is proud of us which is nice. I’m doing Biology, Chemistry, History and Music A Levels and hoping to do either Music or Veterinary Science.”

“I am just so happy today to see the results.” smiled Joseph Bamisaye’s proud mum, Adeyinka. “It has been a long journey, it wasn’t an easy one, but I’m telling you today that he’s made us so proud, the results are so fantastic; thank you Leighton Park!”

Federico de la Mora whose son Fred collected eight 9s, one 8, an A in Global Perspectives and an A* in FMSQ this morning, and whose daughters Diana and Rio both achieved great success on the IB Diploma at Leighton Park to go on to study Medicine at UCL and Edinburgh respectively, commented: “My children have benefited from very good teaching at Leighton Park. The School has a great sense of community and inclusive social groups, helped by the fact that most students stay for dinner.”

Leighton Park won the Independent Schools Association (ISA )Future Readiness Award 2024-25, recognising the importance of an academically rigorous education that is rooted in the school’s Quaker ethos. The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) also celebrated Leighton Park in January for a significant strength, an exceptional values-led education, the only school in UK receive this accolade.

August 21, 2025 – 16:19

Repton School Celebrates Outstanding GCSE Results for 2025

Repton School celebrates exceptional GCSE results, with 18% of grades at 9 and 56% at 9–7. Highlights include two pupils topping the nation in Fine Art and five achieving nine grade 9s, reflecting dedication, ambition and all-round excellence.

Repton School is delighted to announce another excellent set of GCSE results, reflecting the commitment, resilience and ambition of its pupils.

This year’s outcomes showcase both individual excellence and strong overall performance across the cohort. In total, 18% of all grades awarded were grade 9, with 56% of results between grades 9–7 comparing favourably to the national picture where 22% of candidates achieved grades 9-7. Two pupils have been highlighted by OCR as the top performers nationally in GCSE Art and Design: Fine Art, achieving a remarkable 200/200 for the GCSE course.

Amongst the many individual successes, particular congratulations go to five pupils who each achieved at least nine grade 9s – an exceptional accomplishment that underlines the academic ambition within the School. Of course, many of these pupils are fully immersed in Repton’s diverse sporting and co-curricular programme which highlights just how impressive these results are.

Headmaster Mark Semmence commented:

“These results represent far more than numbers on a page; they are the outcome of three years of sustained effort, perseverance and dedication. We are immensely proud of all our pupils for what they have achieved and for the way in which they have approached their studies. Their success is also a testament to the professionalism and commitment of our staff, who continually inspire and support our pupils to fulfil their potential.”

He added:

“As our pupils move forward to the Sixth Form, they do so with the confidence that these results bring. We look forward to seeing all that they will accomplish in the next stage of their Repton journey.”

Repton School congratulates all pupils on their achievements and thanks staff, parents and the wider community for their support in making this success possible.

August 21, 2025 – 16:17

Downside School pupils achieve excellent GSCE results

Downside pupils have, once again, achieved excellent GCSE grades and can feel justly delighted with their achievements and deserve warm congratulations. All pupils have worked tremendously hard and have been rewarded with superb results.

8% of grades awarded being 9–7. Sofia, Emily, Harriet and Natasza gained outstanding results, achieving only grades 7, 8 or 9, the equivalent of all A and A* grades.

Departments across the school have celebrated notable successes. The French Department achieved particularly impressive results, with 86% of pupils gaining grades 8 or 9. Computer Science pupils also performed brilliantly, while many across the year group have surpassed expectations and can now look forward to an exciting and fulfilling time in the Sixth Form.

Interim Head of Downside School, Mike Randall, commented:

“We are delighted with this year’s GCSE results. These pupils have shown remarkable resilience and commitment, working with determination and character. What pleases us most is not just the headline statistics, but the individual stories of pupils who have fulfilled their potential and now move forward with confidence into the next stage of their education. These results are also a reflection of the dedication and care of our staff, who have worked tirelessly to support, encourage and inspire pupils throughout their learning journey. Together, staff and pupils form a community where achievement is not only possible but expected, and today’s results are a wonderful celebration of that shared effort.”

August 21, 2025 – 15:44

King Williams’s College Celebrates Superb GCSE Results

King William’s College is once again celebrating a superb set of GCSE/IGCSE results, with Year 11 students achieving an overall pass rate of 90% (9-4 or A*-C). Of these, 23% were at 9/8 or A* and 41% at 9-7 or A*/A. Excluding the Covid years, this is the highest pass rate since 2019, and for top grades, it matches 2024 as the best set of results since 2016.

We are delighted to recognise the students who have earned Full Academic Colours in this year’s GCSE results. This prestigious award is given to those who achieved straight A*/A or 9-7 grades, with a minimum of five grades at A*/8. Students with any lower grades can offset them by achieving additional A*/8/9s, making this accomplishment all the more impressive. We extend our warm congratulations to Charles A, Gnaan D, June F, Daisy M, Ameya M, Brodie M, Ro N, William O and Casey-Rae P on receiving this honour.

These excellent results follow on from the International Baccalaureate (IB) successes of our Year 13 cohort earlier in the summer, where students achieved a strong overall average of 31.5 points (from a maximum of 45), including two scoring over 40 points – a world-class achievement. The range of university courses our leavers will be pursuing is striking, with nearly all heading for their preferred destination and many using the earlier results day (6th July) to plan ahead for university.

Principal Damian Henderson said:

“Congratulations to our students who displayed tremendous focus and tenacity to achieve these most pleasing GCSE grades. We saw more top grades this year than in any year since 2016, discounting the two years of the pandemic. It is particularly gratifying to see how well students who joined us during Year 11 have done, as well as those who overcame personal adversity. Many of our students also have distinctive accomplishments outside the classroom – in sport, music, drama, or adventurous pursuits. As a non-selective school, we are proud of all our students and look forward to supporting them with their next steps, whether they are coming back to KWC for Sixth Form, or continuing their education elsewhere.”

August 21, 2025 – 15:44

St Swithun’s celebrates the school’s highest ever top GCSE grades

Students at St Swithun’s school in Winchester have surpassed previous top GCSE grades, with the exception of pandemic years. 35% of grades were Grade 9, an uplift of 5% on the previous year and 59% of grades were 9/8/A* with 76% being 7/A and above.

This year saw St Swithun’s students take an average of 9.7 GCSEs each. 56% of the cohort earned six or more 9/8/A* grades and over a quarter of the year group gained nine or more 9/8/A* grades. 11 students achieved straight 9/8/A* grades, three of whom gained all 9s.

The all-girls’ school saw students excel in chemistry, with 78% of students achieving 9/8 and 90% attaining grades of 7 and above. Biology results were similarly high, with 75% of grades being 9/8 and 86% being 7 and above.

100% of design and technology students received grades entirely within the 9-8 range and 94% of Latin grades were 9/8 with the remainder being 7s. Other standout grades were achieved in French, German, history, music and religious studies, amongst others. A quarter of the year group took IGCSE further mathematics, with 82% of grades being 7 and above.

A large number of students achieved outstanding results including Julia C, a boarder at St Swithun’s, who obtained 12 grade 9s including Chinese and Spanish which she took in year 9 and year 10 respectively. She plays both the cello and piano and is a key member of the String and Symphony Orchestras at school. A keen scientist, she won the 2024 Oxford Scientist School Science Writing Competition. Three other students including day girls Ankara P and Freya W also received 11 9s.

Music scholar Emma P received 10 grade 9s at GCSE. An accomplished pianist, flautist and violinist, she is currently studying piano and flute in the junior department at Royal College of Music in London. Emma also received a gold award in the Junior Chemistry Challenge as well as achieving the gold/kangaroo award in the Intermediate Maths Challenge.

Boarder Ingrid L obtained straight 9 and 8 grades in the 11 GCSEs that she completed. Alongside her academic commitments Ingrid has played lead roles in a variety of drama productions and represented Hong Kong in the U20s Lacrosse World Championships as well as being in the school’s U15A National Lacrosse Championship winning team.

Jane Gandee, headmistress at St Swithun’s said, “These strong results reflect our purposeful yet light-hearted approach, and the girls’ own high levels of self-motivation.”

The news follows the announcement that St Swithun’s surpassed their best-ever year for A* grades at A level last week with 10% of students heading to Oxford and Cambridge alongside other prestigious destinations.

St Swithun’s has a reputation for academic excellence whilst seeing pupils flourish in extra-curricular activities such as sport, music, drama, academic enrichment, volunteering and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Accredited as a High Performance Learning World Class School, St Swithun’s holds the belief that high achievement is an attainable target for everyone; high performers are not born, they work for it.

August 21, 2025 – 15:43

New Hall School Celebrates Record GCSE Results

A record of 64% of grades 7+ (A*/A)
A record of 43% of grades 8+ (A*)
Almost a quarter of all grades at the top grade 9
82% of grades at 8+ (A*) in Further Maths
Record results in STEM subjects

Today, New Hall School in Chelmsford celebrates a landmark moment as Year 11 students achieve record-breaking GCSE results, showcasing a year of exceptional dedication and academic success. After months of anticipation, students joined teachers, friends, and family to mark this important milestone in their academic journey.

New Hall is celebrating a significant number of record-breaking achievements this year. An impressive 83% of all grades are at 6-9, 64% at 7-9 and 43% are grades 8/9. Almost a quarter of all grades are at the top grade 9.

Principal, Mrs Katherine Jeffrey, who this year celebrates 23 years of Headship, becoming the longest serving Head of New Hall and in HMC, said: “We are incredibly proud of our Year 11 students. Their commitment, resilience, and enthusiasm for learning have shone through in these outstanding results, with almost a quarter of all grades at grade 9. It is a testament not only to their hard work but also to the supportive and inspiring learning environment we provide. These achievements closely follow the success of our outstanding A Level results, where 42% of grades were at A*-A and a record 80% of students secured places at their first-choice universities. Celebrating these achievements with our students and their families is always a highlight of the year.”

New Hall’s top achiever, Harry W, alumnus of New Hall Prep, achieved a clean sweep of 12 grade 9s. Harry said: “I am really happy with my results. If I had to sum up my time at New Hall, I would say it has been incredible!”

Other students who have achieved an outstanding seven or more grade 9s include: Zandra A, Hawley boarder and alumna from St Mary’s Hare Park School; Augustas D, alumnus of Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School; Toby D, alumnus of The Tyrrells Primary School; Florian F, Petre boarder and alumnus of St Paul’s Cathedral School; Ho Ching F, Petre boarder and alumnus of Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School; Syed Zaki H, alumnus of British School Jakarta; Ming Kiu K, Petre boarder and alumnus of Christian Alliance International School; Tin Man Yohji L, Petre boarder and alumnus from St. Paul’s College Primary School in Hong Kong; Isabella P, Hawley boarder and alumna from St Helen’s Catholic Junior School Academy; Chilotam U, Petre boarder and alumnus of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and Grace W, alumna from The Tyrrells Primary School.

The results from New Hall’s boarding students are outstanding, with almost a third at the highest grade 9, half of their grades at 8/9 and three-quarters of grades at 7-9. Director of Boarding, Mr Samuel Carroll, added: “These exceptional results highlight the advantages of boarding in fostering confidence and offering students valuable opportunities to enrich their academic studies.”

Chilotam U, a full boarder in Petre House, is excited to be studying Mathematics, Physics and Economics at A Level. Chilotam said: “The boarding community is amazing, and the boys I have spent five years with have made my life at school so enjoyable. The teachers at New Hall are great, and have really helped me with my study and made sure I stayed on track.”

Grace W, alumna from The Tyrrells Primary School, achieved seven 9s, two 8s and two 7s and is studying Spanish, Business and Geography at A Level. She added: “One thing I am excited about for Sixth Form is boarding. I have never boarded before, and I think it will be really fun!”

Vice Principal, Dr Paul Tiffen, commented: “We are thrilled that so many of our students have achieved the top grades. We are also celebrating our best ever set of STEM results. A record 60% of grades in Biology were at 8/9, 56% at 8/9 in Chemistry and 50% at 8/9 in Physics. We also saw our first ever cohort of students take the Further Mathematics GCSE achieving a superb 82% of grades at 8/9. Our students have worked so hard to achieve these record results and I look forward to supporting them as they take the next steps in their educational journey.”

Performing Arts subjects are celebrating outstanding results at the very top grades, with Drama achieving 63% at grade 7+ and Music achieving 75% at grade 7+. This year, the Classics Department had one of the largest cohorts in the UK studying Classical Greek with students achieving an outstanding 100% at grade 7+ and 86% at grade 8+.

New Hall School continues to see the success of its unique Diamond Model of education, with boys and girls achieving broadly similar outcomes year after year, in stark contrast to national trends.

A New Hall parent commented: “My son wouldn’t have achieved these results without the outstanding support from his teachers, and the opportunities he has been offered at New Hall that have allowed him to maximise his potential.”

August 21, 2025 – 15:43

Fantastic GCSE results for Woldingham girls, with nearly half of grades at 9-8

Today brings wonderful news for Woldingham School’s Year 11 students – with nearly half of all GCSE grades at 9-8 and 70% at 9-7, they have much to celebrate. Results in English, Geography, Triple Science and Spanish were particularly impressive: 94% of Triple Science results and more than 90% of Spanish results were grades 9-7. MFL results overall were extremely strong, with students achieving an average of two grades higher than predicted for French, German and Spanish.

There were some excellent individual results with almost one in five students achieving nine or more GCSEs at grade 9 or 8, including twins Tess and Sophie. Music scholar Kiara achieved 10 grade 9s and Laura, who is always at the forefront of academic pursuits at school and throwing herself into research projects and science competitions, excelled with a straight set of grade 9 results.

Mr Terry Nunes, Head of Year 11, is thrilled for the students, saying: “What a joy it is to celebrate our students’ brilliant set of GCSE results – I am so proud of everything they have achieved through hard work, positivity and determination. This year group has been a real inspiration; not only excelling in exams but dazzling us with their talents on stage, on the sports field and through their commitment to our school community. Their friendship, encouragement and support for one another over the past two years has been remarkable, and I know these bonds will carry them far. As they move into Sixth Form, I am certain they will go on to accomplish extraordinary things.”

Sue Baillie, Head added: “I am delighted for all the girls that sat GCSEs this year, who are today enjoying a great set of results. This cohort was heavily impacted by COVID because they began Year 7 in 2020, and it is a testament to the nurture and uniqueness of the Woldingham experience that they have navigated the last five years so successfully. With the vast majority continuing their educational journey here at Woldingham, these students have much to look forward to as our new Lower Sixth. I am confident they will continue to thrive, excel academically and embrace all that Woldingham has to offer both inside and outside the classroom. Congratulations, girls!”

August 21, 2025 – 15:43

Blundell’s School pupils gained another fantastic set of GCSE results this year, marking a moment of celebration and real pride for our community

Blundell’s School pupils gained another fantastic set of GCSE results this year, marking a moment of celebration and real pride for our community.

Thirteen percent of all grades awarded were a 9, 33% were at 9–8, and an impressive 52% of all grades were at 7, 8 or 9. Fourteen pupils averaged a grade 8 or higher, and the year group as a whole has achieved excellent value-added results across all abilities.

Dr Ratcliffe, Deputy Head Academic, said:
“We could not be more thrilled with the achievements of our Year 11 pupils. These results are a fantastic reward for their determination, ambition and positivity throughout their GCSE courses. They have combined academic excellence with an extraordinary commitment to sport, music, drama, service, and so much more, making this success even more remarkable.

It has been a real privilege to see them grow into such well-rounded young people, supported every step of the way by our dedicated staff. Today’s results reflect not only their ability but also their spirit, and we are enormously proud of every single one of them.”

Headlines

13% of grades are at 9
33% at 9-8
52% at 9-7
14 pupils out of the year group averaged a grade 8 or higher
40 pupils out of the year group averaged a grade 7 or higher
Our value added is once again very strong across all abilities.

Read more on our Academic results: https://blundells.org/…/a-blu…/academic/academic-results

August 21, 2025 – 15:42

Harrogate Ladies’ College (Duchy College) Pupils Celebrates Best Ever Top GCSE Grades

Harrogate Ladies’ College (Duchy College) celebrated a record percentage of top grade 9s and some of the country’s top marks as GCSE results were released this morning.

A record 22% of all grades at the school were 9s, while over a third of pupils achieved five or more 9-7 grades. Pupils studying STEM subjects continue to excel with 80% of all Physics grades at 9-7, while in Creative Arts (Art and Textiles), 81% of all grades were 9-7 and an incredible 22% of pupils achieved marks of 100%.

Pupils receiving their GCSE results at Harrogate Ladies’ College (Duchy College) achieved an average of one grade higher than their baseline prediction, a key indicator of success according to Principal, Joanna Fox.

“As a largely non-selective school, we are exceptionally proud of our pupils’ progress, which is down to the pupils’ hard work and the expertise and dedication of our incredible teachers,” Mrs Fox said.

“To achieve a record percentage of 9s and a value-added average of plus one is an outstanding result.

“These pupils will be part of history, becoming the first to achieve their A levels from Duchy College in two years’ time as we prepare for a new co-ed era. Through our individualised support, we look forward to nurturing each and every one of them in the next stage of their academic journey,” she said.

Returning for Sixth Form in September is India Thomas, who achieved a clean sweep of nine 9s in her GCSEs, including a perfect score of 100% in Textiles.

“I am so happy with my GCSE results, and achieving all 9s is a dream come true,” India said.

“I couldn’t be more thankful to my teachers, who have been so supportive, and I can’t wait to begin Sixth Form here in September.”

Another pupil who particularly shone in STEM subjects is Reewa Bennett, with four of her eight 9s coming in Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

“I have worked so hard up until this point, and I’m really proud of my results,” Reewa said.

“Today is a great opportunity to celebrate with my friends, before we begin Sixth Form in September.

“The community here is amazing, all our teachers genuinely care and will always go above and beyond to help,” she said.

Ilkley’s Esme Halliwell achieved eight 9s and two 8s in her GCSEs.

“Achieving these results in my GCSEs is a fantastic feeling,” Esme said.

“It feels like all the hard work has paid off, and I’m really excited about the opportunities Sixth Form will bring.”

August 21, 2025 – 15:41

Bryanston Celebrates GCSE Success

Following the impressive A Level, CTEC and IB results earlier this summer, Bryanston is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Year 11 (B) pupils in today’s GCSE exams. These results reflect their determination, perseverance and commitment, supported every step of the way by the expertise and encouragement of our staff.

Highlights are as follows:

One in five pupils achieved five or more 8/9s (A*).
93 per cent of grades awarded were 9-4.
The highest individual points total achieved was an outstanding 105 points, which included ten grade 9s.

Head Richard Jones commented, “Congratulations to all our B pupils on your excellent GCSE results. Your success demonstrates not only academic strength across a broad range of subjects but also your ability to balance study with sport, music, drama, and other extra-curricular pursuits. I’m proud of you all and look forward to seeing you thrive over the next two years in the Sixth Form (A3 and A2), alongside the new pupils who will be joining us.”

Deputy Head Academic, Mark Deketelaere, added, “Well done! These excellent results are the reward for two years of hard work and dedication, during which it has been a privilege to watch you develop on that journey. With the guidance of our academic staff, your tutors and the pastoral team, you are now ready to take the next step and seize every opportunity in the Sixth Form.”

As they enter the Sixth Form, pupils benefit not only from regular one-to-one sessions with their personal tutors but also from weekly CPs (Correction Periods) with academic staff. Unique to Bryanston, CPs provide pupils with dedicated feedback opportunities outside the traditional classroom, allowing them to refine their work, critique, and strengthen their learning. Combined with tutor sessions and subject Assignment Periods, CPs create a distinctive framework for personalised feedback, whether offering extra support, consolidating understanding, or providing stretch and challenge.

Bryanston’s Sixth Form is a highly popular and oversubscribed entry point, offering a distinctive mix of academic breadth, co-educational life, and a vibrant Sixth Form culture. The balance of pupils who continue from earlier years alongside many new joiners creates a dynamic community full of continuity, diversity and fresh perspectives.

August 21, 2025 – 15:25

Best in Recent Years GCSE and A-Level Results!

Significant progress at Milton Abbey School in both A Levels and BTECs, as well as standout performances for GCSE results.

We’re delighted to announce that our 2025 results are the best we’ve seen in recent years — a true reflection of the outstanding commitment and hard work of our students, teachers, and families.

This year, we’ve seen significant progress across both A Levels and BTECs, with strong improvements in performance across all subjects. Our students continue to impress not only with their results but also with the diversity of subjects they’re choosing to pursue, from Biological Sciences and Filmmaking, to Bloodstock and Equine Performance, International Hospitality Business, and Media, Communication & Cultural Studies.

A huge congratulations to our Fifth Form pupils on their fantastic achievements!

We are incredibly proud of their results, with many standout performances across the board. In particular, subjects such as English, Creative Media, Combined Sciences, Hospitality, and Sport delivered especially strong outcomes.

We’re very excited to welcome all our students back in September as they begin their Sixth Form journey.

August 21, 2025 – 15:14

Kingswood School Sees Record GCSE Grades

It was announced today that an outstanding 78% per cent of all I/GCSE grades awarded to Kingswood pupils are at Levels 9-7. This is a record result showing an increase of 15% versus last year.

Overall, 24% of grades awarded were Level 9 and over half (51%) were Levels 9-8.

A remarkable 21 students achieved at least nine or more subjects at grade 9-8, while two students secured 11 grade 9s. With an offering of 20 subjects at GCSE, the success across subject areas again demonstrates the breadth of opportunity for Kingswood pupils, with particular note of Biology and Physics at over 95% of grades at 9-7 and Chinese, Geography, Maths, Music and RPE with over 80% of grades at 9-7.

Of course, our pupils’ experience has been about so much more than the classroom; whether treading the boards with starring roles in Legally Blonde the Musical, securing their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards, winning the U16 Plate at the Rosslyn Park Rugby 7s Festival or debating their way to a bronze medal at the National Philosothon Final.

Mr Gordon-Brown, Principal of the Kingswood Foundation, said: “I am so proud of this cohort’s incredible set of results, which is both a testament to the great attitude they brought to their studies, and the care and support from our very talented and dedicated teachers. At Kingswood, academic excellence is one important part of our vision of a holistic education that transforms lives. I can’t wait to welcome this group back into our sixth form and watch them grow in mind, body and spirit over the next couple of years.”

We are looking forward to seeing 90% of the year group continue their Sixth Form journey at Kingswood this September and to welcoming over 30 new students. Together they will experience our newly refurbished Sixth Form centre with café and small studies, wide academic offering of 23 subjects and our enriching Advanced Electives Programme, as well as bespoke support for UCAS and work experience plus a myriad of leadership opportunities to help them prepare for their next steps.

August 21, 2025 – 15:06

Millfield GCSE and BTEC students celebrate exceptional results

Millfield students are celebrating fantastic GCSE and BTEC results today. A fantastic 50.5% of the grades received by the top 100 students were 9-8 grades, with a 100% pass rate.

Naomi Brooke, from Street, is a day student who joined Millfield in Year 10. She achieved nine 9s, one 8 and an A in Additional Maths. Naomi has embraced all the opportunities on offer to her at Millfield. She has immersed herself in Millfield’s vibrant arts offering, taking part in Music, Dance and Drama, performing in concerts, shows and plays during her two years at the school, including this year’s stunning Dance Show, The Nutcracker. She is also a member of the National Youth Theatre. Naomi also takes part in football and was part of Millfield’s first ever Girl’s Basketball fixture in 2024, and is co-captain of the team. In the same year, she completed the 35-mile Ten Tors challenge on Dartmoor. At this year’s Millfield Prize Giving, Naomi was given awards for Academic Commitment and Academic Attainment in German.

Mila Brooke, from Langport, Somerset, joined Millfield Prep in Year 7. She achieved eight 9s, one 8 and also took Additional Maths. Mila excels across a variety of sports; she swims in regional competitions and has represented Somerset in both cricket and netball. In 2024, Mila took part in a cricket trip to Sri Lanka as part of the Somerset Pathway, where she won the batting award for the U15 Girls. Her talents extend also to the stage, with Mila gaining her grade 8 in solo acting this year. Mila was given awards for Academic Attainment in both Physical Education and Combined Science (Biology) at this year’s Millfield Prize Giving.

Brychan James, from Carmarthenshire, joined Millfield Pre-Prep in 2011, and is now completing his 14^th year as part of the Millfield Community. He achieved seven 9s, one 8, one 7 and an A in Additional Maths. Brychan grew up in the boarding houses of Millfield Prep School, with his parents teaching and holding houseparent roles. Brychan was awarded with an Academic Commitment award at this year’s Prize Giving, alongside an Academic Attainment award for Combined Science – Physics. Brychan is an all-round sportsman, representing the school in cricket, rugby and trampolining. He has excelled in trampolining, competing at national level, and finished in fifth position at the National Schools Finals in Derby.

Mimi Woodliffe, from Highbridge, Somerset, is a day student who joined Millfield Prep in Year 6. She achieved seven 9s, two 8s, one 7 and took Additional Maths. Mimi is a key member of the Millfield Equestrian programme, having begun riding at the age of three. She continues to ride and compete on her horse Natty, and represented the South West in the British Eventing International Youth Championships at Bishop Burton in 2024, as well as representing Millfield in the prestigious National Schools Championships at Hickstead. Alongside her riding, Mimi is a Middle School Leader, plays the oboe and is part of the main school orchestra and a chamber group. She also sings in the school Camerata and Millfield Singers groups, as well as the National Youth Choir. She is also a strong athlete who competes in Combined Events (heptathlon), with her favourite event being the hurdles. At this year’s Millfield Prize Giving, Mimi was given awards for Academic Commitment and Academic Attainment in Latin.

Dinobi Okafor, from Yeovil, joined Millfield Prep in Year 8. She received six 9s, four 8s and an A Additional Maths. Dinobi is one of three sisters to have attended Millfield as boarders. Dinobi is a keen hockey player but embraces the opportunity to play a wide variety of sports. She is passionate about balancing her sporting and academic commitments, and enjoys attending Millfield Brilliance Breakfasts, which offer students the chance to present in depth research on academic topics.

Molly Thornburn, from Glastonbury, joined Millfield Prep in Year 8 in 2022. She achieved five 9s, four 8s and a C in Additional Maths. Molly received her Duke of Edinburgh bronze award this year. Molly is a highly accomplished singer and has performed in multiple events in Millfield Music’s packed concert series. She was awarded her Academic Attainment in Music at this year’s Millfield Prize Giving.

Izzy Jones, from Brussels, joined Millfield in Year 10 in 2023. She received six 9s, two 8s, a 7 and an A in Additional Maths. Izzy is a strong rugby player and has represented the girls’ rugby team at the prestigious Rosslyn Park 7s event. She has also been selected to represent Somerset Rugby. Izzy was recognised for her Academic Commitment at this year’s Millfield Prize Giving, where she was also a recipient of a Millfield Diploma Platinum.

Toby Morris, from Street, joined Millfield Prep in Year 7 in 2020. Today he received five 9s, two 8s, a 7 and a Distinction* in Hospitality and Catering. Toby has a passion for golf and has represented the Millfield team at regional and national events, while also representing Somerset at both U16 and U18 level.

Lottie Raby-Brown, from Wedmore, Somerset, achieved six 9s, one 8, two 7s an d an A in Additional Maths. Lottie joined Millfield Pre-Prep in 2011 and is currently completing her 13th year as part of the Millfield Community and is a boarder. An exceptional academic, she received awards for her Academic Commitment at this Year’s Millfield Prize Giving, as well as Academic Attainment awards in Combined Science – Chemistry and French. Lottie also sings in Millfield choirs and groups, often performing in events throughout the Music department’s packed concert schedule. Lottie also achieved her Duke of Edinburgh silver award this year.

Joely Chamberlain joined Millfield for Year 9 in 2022. She received five 9s, three 8s, one 7 and a C in Additional Maths. Joely is an accomplished sportsperson and has represented the school in both netball and rugby. Joely was selected into the Team Bath Netball Athlete Development Centre in October 2024. She was named as Player of the Year for the Girl’s U16 rugby team for 2024/2025. Joely was recognised for her Academic Commitment at this year’s Millfield Prize Giving, where she was the recipient of an Academic Attainment award for Economics. Joely’s grandfather was a former Housemaster at Millfield.

Ayden Wang received six 9s, two 8s, a B in Chinese, an A in Additional Maths and an Merit in Spanish Global Business Communication. Ayden is an exceptional mathematician and received the Academic Attainment award for Maths at this year’s Millfield Prize Giving. Ayden has a passion for racket sports, and takes part in badminton and tennis.

Lily Jones, from Glastonbury, Somerset, joined Millfield Prep School in Year 7 in 2021. Today she achieved four 9s, three 8s and a 7. Lily is a high-achieving athlete, specialising in 60m, 100m, 200m and Long Jump. She has represented Millfield at regional competitions and regularly competes in athletics events around the UK.

Alex Major-Olszewski, from Glastonbury, joined Millfield Prep School in Year 3 in 2017. Today he received four 9s, four 8s and a 7. Alex received an Academic Attainment award in English at this year’s Millfield Prize Giving, alongside a Millfield Diploma Platinum. Alex is a well-rounded sportsman, and has represented Millfield in athletics, rugby and fencing during his time at both schools.

Zara Barnett, from Henley-on-Thames, joined Millfield Prep in Year 6 in 2019. She received four 9s, four 8s, one 7 and an A in Additional Maths. At this year’s Millfield Prize Giving event, Zara received awards for Co-Curricular achievement in Art, Academic Attainment in Spanish and was also recognised for her academic commitment. Zara has also been a core member of Millfield’s rowing programme, representing the school in regattas around the UK in recent years. Recently, Zara formed part of the Millfield four who pipped the Cambridge team to win the silver medal in the Women’s Club 4+ at the British Rowing Championships.

Elis Davies, from Wedmore, is a day student who joined Millfield Prep in Year 6. She received four 9s, five 8s, one 7 and a B in Additional Maths. Elis received an award for her Academic Commitment and Academic Attainment in Biology at this year’s Prize Giving. She also achieved a Duke of Edinburgh Silver award. Elis is also a keen swimmer, and competed in the South West Regional Championships this year.

Karoline Tochtermann, from Hamburg, Germany, joined Millfield in Year 10, and is a boarder. She achieved four 9s, three 8s and two 7s. Karoline is a keen golfer and has competed in tournaments in the UK and abroad this year. She finished sixth in the Northern German U16 Championship in 2024 and represented the school in the Millfield and Desert Springs European Schools Championship. Karoline was also awarded a Millfield Diploma Platinum at this year’s Millfield Prize Giving.

Victoria Baughan, from Oakhill, Somerset, joined Millfield Pre-Prep in 2012. She received two 9s and seven 8s. Victoria is an all-rounder, who excels in the classroom, in the arts and on the sports field. She is a strong cricketer and fencer and has been a key part of the Millfield Fencing squad who have dominated the National Schools Championships, becoming national champions for the 12th successive year in 2025. In January, she was selected to represent the South West Region at the annual Cadet Winton Fencing Competition. Victoria also acts in school plays and productions and has regularly sung in school concerts. This year, Victoria gained her Musical Theatre Grade 7, scoring an incredible 100%. She was also awarded for her Academic Commitment at his year’s Millfield Prize Giving.

Asta Maddox, from Wells, Somerset, joined Millfield Prep School in Year 6 in 2019. Today she received three 9s, five 8s and a 7. Asta is a high-level swimmer and netballer and has represented the school in both sports. She is also an exceptional singer and was selected for the National Youth Choir this year.

Other students who did exceptionally well include Isla Sully, Monty Price-Bailey, Evie Twelvetree, Lottie Godsell, William Prideaux, Emma Wyse, Charlotte Ming, Jose Rodriguez, Lottie Richardson and George German.

Congratulations to all of the Millfield Year 11 students on their exam results and good luck for the next two years of Sixth Form.

Headmaster Gavin Horgan said: “These excellent results are a testament to all of our pupils’ hard work and dedication and the quality of academic teaching at Millfield. There are so many multi-talented pupils amongst the names listed in our top achievers; not only have they done well academically, but they have also excelled in music, sport and co-curricular activities as well, which is what Millfield is all about.”

August 21, 2025 – 14:39

Top of the class! Brighton College smashes records with best-ever GCSE results

Following their record-breaking A-level achievements last week, pupils at Brighton College are once again celebrating — this time with the school’s best-ever GCSE results.

An astonishing 98% of all grades were at 9–7 (A*–A), including 62% at grade 9, and 89% at grade 8-9 (A* equivalent). In total, pupils secured 1,300 grade 9s, with 59 pupils achieving a clean sweep of 9 or more grade 9s.

Outstanding Individual Achievements

Amongst the many exceptional performances, several pupil stories stand out:

Liza – Hope Against The Odds: Ukrainian Refugee Achieves GCSE Success

One of the school’s 23 Ukrainian scholars, Liza fled the war in 2022 with her family after spending two traumatic weeks in a basement in Kyiv. Liza and her two siblings were given full scholarships by Brighton College after arriving in the country. Today, she is celebrating an incredible set of results: seven grade 9s, one grade 8, and a special award for being one of top performers in her Art GCSE in the country.

After opening her results, Liza said: “I was nervous, but I am so happy. I have mixed feelings. I want to go back to Ukraine but we are all really scared to go back to Kyiv. I haven’t seen my grandparents for years since the start of the war.”

Liza’s mother Mrs Zburzhynska said: “The war forced our family, like so many Ukrainians, to leave our home. But at the same time, it led us to Brighton College. This amazing school has become more than just an educational institution to us – it has been a place where we felt humanity, acceptance and warmth.”

Head Master, Steve Marshall-Taylor said “Among so much of which we can be proud today, this wonderful individual story shines brightly and highlights the privilege we have to play a small part in moments such as this.”

Nathanial – Top of the Literary Tree

Nathanial is celebrating 10 grade 9s and one grade 8, alongside a prestigious national award for achieving the highest mark in the whole country in his English Literature GCSE — a truly remarkable accomplishment.

This is made all the more wonderful, as both of his parents are high profile figures in publishing. His passion for literature was nurtured by Brighton College after he started reading at a very young age.

Nathanial’s mother said: “We are enormously proud of Nathaniel, I and feel indebted to Brighton College for the role they have played in helping him reach his potential. We could not be more grateful for their tremendous support and approach in enabling their pupils to love learning, something that far exceeds any grade or external form of distinction — and hopefully something all of their pupils can carry with them throughout their lives.”

Astrid – Making Waves in the Pool and the Classroom

Elite swimmer Astrid has proven her excellence both in sport and academics. Today she celebrates an outstanding 11 grade 9s at GCSE.

A three-time 50m Backstroke Champion, Astrid won three gold medals at the International Meet in Slovenia this summer, and in the GB Aquatics NextGen Championships she finished 4^th in 50m Backstroke. Astrid continues to train for elite international competitions, to represent her country at the highest level.

Head Master, Steve Marshall-Taylor, commented: “The results are cause for great celebration for the pupils and their families, and I am delighted that our girls and boys have both achieved a phenomenal 98% at grades 9-7. They are, however, really only the outcome or end point of a wonderful journey of learning, intellectual enquiry and academic engagement.

We took as our inspiration just over a year ago a quotation attributed to Antoine de Saint Exupéry: ‘If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood, but teach them rather to yearn for the vast and endless sea.’ Through lessons, academic societies, our masterclass series and critical thinking courses, the pupils are developing, with us as teachers, a love of learning that we hope will stay with them throughout their lives.”

August 21, 2025 – 14:03

Exceptional GCSE results achieved by Stephen Perse Cambridge students

GCSE students at Stephen Perse Cambridge are celebrating another year of impressive exam results, with 73.1% of GCSEs graded 7, 8 or 9.

Highlights:

26.2% of GCSEs were graded with the top score of 9
54.2% of GCSEs were grade 8 or 9
99.4% of GCSEs graded at 4 to 9
Four students achieved a clean sweep of grade 9s across all of their (10 or 11) subjects.

Stephen Ward, Head of 11 – 18 at Stephen Perse Cambridge and Vice-Principal, expressed his pride in the students’ achievements, praising both their academic ability and their resilience: “Our students’ achievements are a testament first and foremost to the hard work and preparation of the students themselves, but also to the support and advice from our teachers and our parent community.”

“I have been impressed by our students’ ability to not only achieve fantastic results, but to comport themselves with resilience, tenacity and confidence during the exam period. At Stephen Perse Cambridge, our mission is to educate and inspire the contributors to tomorrow’s world: intelligent young people with the creativity, compassion, confidence and conviction to question, evaluate and improve society. This year’s cohort of GCSE students embodies every quality that we hope for in our young people.”

Principal Richard Girvan, said: “Our entire community is tremendously proud of our GCSE students, who have collectively achieved such excellent results. Not only have they excelled academically, but we have seen them develop into confident, curious, compassionate learners who are equipped to make a positive difference to the world around them. We look forward to supporting our Year 11s as they move into Year 12 and A Level studies at Stephen Perse Cambridge Sixth Form. We are also incredibly proud of how many of our students are able to progress to our sixth form as a result of substantial financial assistance in the form of bursaries and scholarships, in many cases exceeding 75%, and up to 100% of the value of school fees, reflecting our ambition to provide a world class education irrespective of each student’s financial circumstances.”

August 21, 2025 – 14:37

Excellence Across the Board: Wells Pupils Shine in GCSEs

Following their strong A-level results announced last week, Wells Cathedral School is thrilled to announce another excellent year of outstanding GCSE achievements. Impressively, just under half our pupils secured the top grades 9 -7, with an equally impressive 15% attaining the very top grade of 9, which is an increase on last years’ results, with nearly a third of pupils achieving grades 9-8.

Over 94% of Wells pupils secured a grade 4 or above (which is an increase on last year’s results). They have very significantly outperformed the national average of 67.4% in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, all of which has been made possible because of the exceptional quality of education and support provided at Wells Cathedral School, as well as the hard work and dedication of our pupils and staff.

Our pupils have been celebrating their remarkable success across the whole range of subjects studied at Wells Cathedral School from the Sciences to Drama and Maths to Music. There were exceptional results in the individual science subjects. In Physics, 47% of pupils earned a grade 9, with 50% of Chemistry pupils getting a grade 9 and 47% of Biology pupils gaining a grade 9. Computing pupils also excelled, with 77% achieving grades 9-7.

Among many other highlights were:

Biology 100% 9-6
Physics 100% 9-6
Chemistry 100% 9-6
Computing 100% 9-5
Drama 100% 9-5
German 100% 9-5
Music 100% 9-5
Photography 100% 9-5
Art 100% 9-4
PE 100% 9-4

Alastair Tighe, Head Master, commented:

“I’m thrilled to be celebrating with our pupils after they have achieved such an excellent set of GCSE results. As always, their success is testimony not only to pupils’ hard work and effort, but also to the skill and expertise of their teachers as well as the support of their parents and families. I’m delighted that pupils have achieved so highly across the full range of subjects we offer, and that they have all done so while still taking full advantage of our wider non-academic curriculum which is a core part of a Wells education.”

Behind these results there are individual success for the following pupils:

Clover achieved 8 grades 9-8, including grade 9 in Music, History, English Literature and Combined Science and is continuing her studies at Wells Cathedral School studying A level, English Literature, History and Music.

Poppy achieved an impressive 10 GCSEs with 7 grades 9 in subjects including, RPE, Geography and History. Poppy is continuing with these subjects as A levels. She also achieved 3 grade 8s.

Joshua received 8 grade 9s and 2 grade 7s with a 9 in Maths, French, Geography and History. Joshua is progressing to study A levels in French, Geography and History- ‘Bon chance Joshua’ with your future studies.

Bill achieved 4 grade 9s, 5 grade 8s and 1 grade 7. He achieved grade 9 in Maths, English Literature, Chemistry and Physics.

Vienna has had remarkable success achieving 9 grade 9s across all three sciences, Art, Maths and Music. We wish Vienna good luck in her future studies.

Continuing a tradition of excellence, several of our specialist musicians took GCSE Music at the end of Year 9, two years earlier than most GCSE candidates. Remarkably, 100% of these young musicians achieved grades 9-7. These outstanding results reflect their dedication and talent, and we look forward to their continued success as they progress onto our specially devised “Wells Certificate” in Years 10 and 11.

Deputy Head (Academic) Natalie Perry comments –

“We are absolutely delighted with this year’s GCSE results, which are a reflection of the academic success fostered throughout the School. Our pupils have not only performed significantly above national averages across a diverse range of subjects, but their outstanding achievements are a direct reflection of the dedicated and nurturing support provided by our incredible teaching staff. This whole-school commitment to excellence empowers every pupil to reach their full potential, and we couldn’t be prouder of these fantastic outcomes.”

If you would like to find out more about what Wells Cathedral School offers and how ‘excellence inspires excellence’ please join us at our Open Morning on Saturday September 20th 2025. For more information please register here.

August 21, 2025 – 14:03

Exceptional GCSE results achieved by Stephen Perse Cambridge students

GCSE students at Stephen Perse Cambridge are celebrating another year of impressive exam results, with 73.1% of GCSEs graded 7, 8 or 9.

Highlights:

26.2% of GCSEs were graded with the top score of 9
54.2% of GCSEs were grade 8 or 9
99.4% of GCSEs graded at 4 to 9
Four students achieved a clean sweep of grade 9s across all of their (10 or 11) subjects.

Philip L., who will be studying Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Physics A Levels at Stephen Perse Cambridge, celebrated: “I’m really excited to study for A Levels, especially what I’m passionate about and working towards more advanced topics. I’m hoping to go to the University of Cambridge to study Natural Sciences.”

Ruben E. has also chosen to study Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Physics A Levels at Stephen Perse Cambridge Sixth Form while Nina T. will join them to study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Latin A Levels. Harry HC. is going on to study at drama school in London, sharing: “Going to study acting in London is going to be a big change but something I have always wanted to do.”

Stephen Perse Cambridge GCSE students benefit from a progressive curriculum that is designed to encourage skills and knowledge development while nurturing individuality. It offers a diverse variety of GCSE options including Design & Technology, Mandarin Chinese, and Classical Greek, alongside traditional core subjects of English, Maths, Sciences, Modern Languages, Humanities and Creative and Performing Arts. The school encourages students to extend their interests and develop their talents through a programme of enriched learning including residential trips, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and a variety of sporting, creative and academic clubs.

August 21, 2025 – 13:29

All round success abounds as Brentwood School students celebrate excellent GCSE results

Success at Brentwood has never been confined to the classroom, and this year’s Year 11 cohort is living proof of that fact. Alongside celebrating impressive GCSE results, our pupils have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the wider life of the School, balancing academic achievement with an extraordinary range of co-curricular and community commitments.

From excelling in music, drama, debating, and sport, they have shown that personal growth flourishes when challenge is met with passion. Many have represented Brentwood at county and national level, while others have dedicated their time to charitable initiatives and supporting their younger peers through our mentoring programme. Together, they embody Brentwood’s values ‘Virtue, Learning, Manners,’ demonstrating that true success is measured not only by results on paper but also by the character, confidence, and compassion developed along the way.

No fewer than seventeen students achieved 70+ points in total, with some 139 grade 9s and 30 grade 8s between them, an outstanding achievement.

Up-and-down the country, outgoing Year 11s joined their Senior School in the middle of the two national Covid lockdowns, but five years on that seemed a distant memory for Brentwood students as they celebrated their many successes The vast majority will continue into our Sixth Form, where they can choose from three pathways: A Levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or BTEC qualifications. Brentwood remains one of the few independent schools in the UK to offer three Sixth Form academic pathways, enabling students to follow the course best suited to their strengths and aspirations.

One of the day’s high scorers was Lionel M, who achieved nine top grades (9) and one grade 8, all whilst being a member of the UK Youth Parliament, complimented by his longstanding commitment to the School’s successful Public Speaking team. Lionel has certainly thrown himself into everything Brentwood has to offer – in addition to Public Speaking he has been a stalwart of Model United Nations, Rugby, Fencing and Performing Arts. Lionel will now study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths at A Level to help him realise his dream of studying ‘Medicine with a sprinkling of Politics’, as he puts it. Reflecting on his time at Brentwood thus far, Lionel said “You have to approach everything you do with 100% of the effort and the potential that you have, and just work as hard as you can academically and outside of the academics. Brentwood has a really good balance of both and you can be supported in all areas at the same time.”

Another high flier, Felicity B-Q, was relieved to discover six grade 9s and four grade 8s in her brown envelope. Joined by her parents, who are active members of the Parent Sounding Board, Felicity was ‘moved to happy tears’. A Music and Academic Scholar, Felicity has just returned from the School’s music tour to Belgium and is a dedicated multi-instrumentalist, the leader of the school’s Big Band and cornerstone in the majority of the School’s choral and instrumental ensembles. Felicity is a prime example of how active involvement can go hand in hand with consistently achieving outstanding academic results. Felicity, who thanked the music team for being ‘pastorally supportive’ was continuing the music theme with a celebratory evening at The Great Gatsby.

Fellow talented saxophonist and music scholar Osi B has excelled academically, earning five grade 9s and five grade 8s, and has made the most of his post-exam summer in a remarkable way. He spent the holiday busking across Europe with his father to raise funds for Cancer Research, collecting an impressive £4,274 for the charity. Osi described the experience as ‘the time of my life’. Osi is preparing to undertake the IB Diploma Programme in the Sixth Form which will provide him with the academic rigour and global outlook to pursue his future ambitions at Berkeley College, New York City.

Lionel, Felicity and Osi are all committed members of the many ensembles and choirs at Brentwood, dedicating almost eight hours each week to rehearsals. Remarkably, even during their GCSE exams they never missed a single rehearsal or performance- a powerful testament to their discipline, passion for music, and proof that at Brentwood, academic success and co-curricular excellence truly go hand in hand.

Music at Brentwood has a burgeoning reputation as one of the strongest in the UK and two of our GCSE students were pioneers of our new Specialist Music Programme, which is designed to provide elite coaching, mentoring, and performance opportunities as part of the School’s holistic curriculum. Among the programme’s first cohort collecting results today were flautist and pianist Maria T, who was ‘overjoyed’ with her 68 points and will embark on A levels in Music, Biology and Psychology in September. Ian Davies Music Scholar and School Orchestra’s principal double bassist Lily B also struck the right cord as she celebrated with a great 62 points.

Specialist Music Programme Student Maria with Headmaster Michael Bond

Swimmer Saxon M recently made waves at the GB Aquatic Championships where he secured a bronze medal in the 100m Breaststroke. Today, Saxon matched his sporting success with academic achievement, collecting a total of 68 points in his top eight subjects. Sports scholar Daisy E, excels in tennis and hockey, and has contributed significantly to sporting success at the School, all whilst dedicating herself to her academic studies, resulting in two grade 9s, three grade 8s, three grade 7s and one grade 4.

Footballers Josh H and Joe P, both selected to represent the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) in the U16 national squad, collected their results today, scoring 61 and 63 points, respectively. The pair are preparing to return to ISFA training camps this autumn and will continue to balance academic commitments with the demands of elite sport, impressing both on and off the pitch. Meanwhile, fellow footballer Tom W started a 2-year scholarship with Queen’s Park Rangers in July and wanted to thank Director of Sport Mr Gamester, for ‘all the support and encouragement’ during his time as a Sport Scholar at Brentwood.

Cricketer Amar D, who is looking forward to studying Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Economics in the Sixth Form, already has his future mapped out with a ‘view to doing Economics at university and a career in investment banking or private equities’. Amar’s mum, who also sits on the School’s Parent Sounding Board, said she ‘was exceptionally proud of Amar who was very hard working and had achieved the grades he deserved’. He, along with the other 17 who scored 70+ points, was in receipt of the Headmaster’s Academic Honours pin which was ‘a really proud moment.’

Camila C, recipient of both the Bixby Prize for Art and the Spivey Prize for Biology at this year’s Speech Day, secured an impressive eight Grade 9s and two Grade 8s as ‘all the hard work paid off’. She is excited to continue her studies at A Level in Maths, Further Maths, Religious Studies and Economics. Fellow top scorer Stefan N, a valued member of the School’s Boarding community, will pursue the IB Diploma in the Sixth Form, building on his outstanding academic success of seven grade 9s and one grade 8. Meanwhile, Jacob W, a strong cricketer and member of the School’s golf team, who, in April reached the Independent Schools Golf Association National Finals, is looking forward to undertaking a BTEC in Sport.

Stefan, along with no fewer than 42 of his year group, is a Peer Mentor, a position one has to apply for and interview to obtain. This programme sees older students supporting younger pupils with strategies to improve academic and motivational outcomes and reflects the School’s values encouraging responsibility, compassion, and leadership. By dedicating time to the success of others, Stefan and his fellow mentors demonstrate that true achievement lies as much in service and character as it does in personal accomplishment.

Hot on the heels of last week’s superb A Level and BTEC results, today’s GCSE achievements mean a number of Brentwood families are celebrating twice over. Today, Alastair D picked up an impressive 68 points after elder brother, and former Deputy Head of School Jonathan secured ABB last week, and a place at Sheffield University. Meanwhile, sisters Chloe and Hannah D are celebrating Chloe’s AAA at A Level and Hannah’s 63 points, which she was ‘more than happy with’.

Head of Year, Adam Clarke said: “A huge congratulations to all of our Year 11 students receiving their GCSE results today. This year group has faced the inevitable ups and downs of adolescence as well as having started their Senior School journey in challenging circumstances, but they have demonstrated maturity, perseverance, and a strong sense of community. They should be proud of the effort, determination and resilience they have shown throughout their GCSE courses. We wish them every success in their next chapter.”

Headmaster Michael Bond added: ‘Over the course of the last week, we have celebrated an extraordinary range and depth of successes our students have worked so hard to achieve, with the support of their teachers and parents. Our outgoing Year 11s have shown, once again, that academic achievement and co-curricular commitment go hand-in-hand. We look forward to supporting them as they move into Sixth Form and seeing what they will go on to achieve in the years ahead. For now, they deserve a big pat on the back and the chance to enjoy their well-deserved post-results celebrations over the coming days.’

The results complete a summer of academic success which saw impressive International Baccalaureate Diploma awards – confirming Brentwood’s position among the Top IB schools in the UK – and excellent A Level and BTEC Extended Diploma results. When combined, 56.7% of this year’s grades were A* or A (or equivalent) and 86.7% A*, A or B.

August 21, 2025 – 13:26

St Leonards Pupils Celebrate Record-Breaking GCSE Results

St Leonards School is celebrating another year of outstanding GCSE results, with this year’s pupils achieving the highest set of grades on record in regular exam years.

Overall, 96% of entries were graded 9–4 (A*–C equivalent) and an impressive 55% of all grades were 9–7 (A*/A equivalent). Among Year 11 pupils following the two-year GCSE course, the achievements were even more remarkable: 98% of grades were 9–4 and 61% were 9–7, the strongest set of GCSE results ever achieved at St Leonards.

Within the year group, there were many individual successes. Four pupils achieved straight 8/9 grades across all of their subjects, while a further sixteen pupils were awarded six or more top grades at 8/9. In total, almost 40% of all results were graded at 8/9, with 232 of the 598 total grades awarded at this highest level. Subject highlights included 61% of all Mathematics results at 9–7, 67% of History results at 9–7, and 74% of pupils achieving at least one 9–7 in Science.

Chris Meighen, GCSE Coordinator at St Leonards, praised both pupils and staff: “This year’s results not only show our best yet for those achieving grades 9–7, but also highlight the huge progress made by many students since beginning their GCSEs. Many of these pupils have accomplished an excellent set of results that they can be proud of – and it’s down to the hard work of both our students and teachers.”

Deputy Head (Academic), Will Gaisford, added: “The achievement and progress of our GCSE pupils is remarkable and caps a record-breaking year of public exam results at St Leonards. With over half of all grades awarded at 9–7, our pupils are brilliantly placed to take the next steps in their education at St Leonards and to apply to the world’s best universities.”

Earlier this summer, St Leonards celebrated equally outstanding International Baccalaureate Diploma and Career-related Programme results, with Year 13 leavers securing places at some of the world’s top universities, including Oxford, St Andrews, UCL, Edinburgh, Exeter, Hult International Business School, Iowa State, Zurich and Leiden.

This summer’s GCSE, BTEC, and IB results reflect the academic strength of St Leonards across all stages, as well as the hard work, determination, and ambition of its pupils. With such strong foundations, this year’s GCSE cohort is exceptionally well prepared to embrace the opportunities of the Sixth Form and beyond.

August 21, 2025 – 13:20

Worksop College GCSE Results Day

Worksop College pupils are celebrating an impressive set of GCSE results today, marking another year of strong academic achievement and personal success. Our Class of 2025 broke College records for the percentage of pupils achieving grades 9-5, and also the number achieving 5 passes including Maths and English. Pupils achieved almost double the national average of top 9-7 grades, and significantly outstripped national results at 9-4, achieving positive value-added in the process. For the second year in a row, 100% of English grades were awarded 9-4. With pupils securing top grades across a wide range of subjects – and many balancing demanding co-curricular commitments alongside their studies – the Class of 2025 has much to be proud of.

Among those celebrating is keen Chorister Thomas McGarry, who achieved an incredible full sweep of top grades. Thomas said, “I got nine 9s and an A* – I can’t believe it! I’m going on to study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths at Sixth Form at Worksop College.”

Rugby player Elis Parry secured five grade 9s, two A*s and three grade 8s, achieving on average 2 grades above his target grade in each subject. He is staying on to study History, Economics and Biology.

Gracie Donaghy, who achieved three grade 9s, two grade 8s, one A, two grade 7s and two grade 6s, shared her excitement about the next chapter: “I’m really excited about next year and all the opportunities I get to have – I’m going on to study Biology, Chemistry and Maths at Worksop College Sixth Form.” Hockey player, Thomas Moore was delighted with his results: “I got 9s and 8s across the board, so I’m really happy with that! I’m staying here at Worksop College next year to do Psychology, Biology and English Literature.”

Chris Wilson, who secured five grade 9s, one A*, three grade 8s, a grade 7 and a grade 6, was equally thrilled, saying, “I’m using my 9s in Physics, Music and Maths to take these at A Level. I’m really excited to get started.” His classmate Will Miller gained two grade 9s, two A*s, four grade 8s and two grade 7s, while Laurence Isherwood rounded off a fantastic set with one grade 9, two A*s, five grade 8s, one grade 7 and one grade 6.

Isabella Wilton, who joined Worksop College in Year 11, impressed with two grade 9s, two grade 8s, five grade 7s and an A, while Ellie Hammond earned one grade 9, three grade 8s, three grade 7s, an A and a grade 6.

The celebrations continued for the Rasback twins, who are both talented musicians. Bea achieved one grade 9, one grade 8, three grade 7s, three grade 6s and one grade 5, while Rebecca gained three grade 8s, four grade 7s and two grade 6s – a superb achievement for two pupils who have devoted so much time to their music.

Those balancing elite sport alongside their studies were also celebrating. Max Meggitt, a golf scholar who combines his academic studies with use of the school’s 18-hole golf course and professional coaching from the resident PGA Professional, achieved a string of good grades, paving the way to continue pursuing his golfing ambitions alongside his education. Meanwhile, Rosie Gleadall, a competitive martial artist and Martial Arts Schools Junior Competitor of the Year 2024, did likewise, including one grade 9 and a Distinction – an outstanding performance given her training and competition schedule.

Headmaster Charles Bailey praised the pupils’ efforts, saying:

“These results are a testament to the dedication and ambition of our pupils. Many of them have combined academic study with exceptional commitments in sport, music and the arts – and today’s achievements show what is possible when talent is nurtured and hard work is applied.

I am immensely proud of what they have accomplished and of the staff who have supported them every step of the way. The character and determination shown by this cohort will stand them in excellent stead for the future.”

August 21, 2025 – 13:07

Outstanding GCSE results highlight Rossall’s continued commitment to excellence

Pupils at Rossall School are celebrating their best ever 7-9 GCSE results – with 43% achieving the top three grades and more than a quarter of pupils achieving a grade 8 or 9.

An impressive number of pupils also achieved a clean sweep of top grades, with Emma, Timofei, Sam, Teddy, Ellie-Rose and Chee each amassing nine or more grade 7-9s.

For the second year in a row, one of Rossall’s students, Sofiia, has been recognised as one of the highest performers in the country for the Art, Craft and Design GCSE – a testament to the school’s exceptional Art Department where over a third of pupils achieved a Grade 9. Other subjects of particular note included English, Further Mathematics, Religious Studies and German, where the 9-7 rate was 60% or over.

Catherine Stacker, Deputy Head (Academic) at Rossall, said: “Rossall’s outstanding results are a shining example of the determination and resilience of our pupils and the dedication of our exceptional teachers.

“They reflect the ambition and ethos at the heart of a Rossall education – an education that inspires young people to exceed their potential and embrace every opportunity. While grades are only one part of the journey, these results showcase the strength of a Rossall education: dynamic, ambitious, and enriching in every sense. We are immensely proud of each and every one of our pupils.”

Rossall prides itself on the value added to each and every pupil and despite being non-selective in its intake, with many pupils sitting examinations in their second or even third language, the number of top grades achieved at Rossall is just under double the national average. Rossall prides itself in offering pupils many additional opportunities for qualifications, including courses in Astronomy, Business and Ancient Greek.

This year, a number of Year 9 pupils were entered for the much valued Higher Projects Qualification (HPQ) and Foundation Projects Qualification (FPQ) as part of the Rossall INSPIRE programme, achieving 100% A*-B grades in research projects.

Nick Crombie, Deputy Head (Sixth Form), said he is looking forward to welcoming this year’s incoming Year 12 cohort.

“It has been a great pleasure getting to know this cohort throughout the past two years of GCSE study,” he said.

“They have committed themselves wholeheartedly and the success is clear for all to see. They will bring fantastic energy and determination into an ambitious Sixth Form cohort and I am excited to work with them in the next stage of their education.’

The pupils’ excellent GCSE results follow sixth formers’ recent outstanding results in their A-Level, BTEC and IBDP examinations.

Alongside their academic studies, pupils at Rossall benefit from a rich co-curricular programme across sports, the performing arts, the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and the Duke of Edinburgh to name but a few. Pupils also take part in the School’s signature programmes including the Piano Academy and the Dance Academy, as well as participating in the hugely successful sports programmes, which include its signature Football programme partnered with Manchester City Football Club, and Golf, where students regularly compete for the top spot on the national stage.

The destinations of Rossall’s Year 13 leavers are a testament to the well-rounded education and the phenomenal opportunities that pupils enjoy. This year, once again, over 80% of pupils have accepted places at Russell Group / Top 20 Universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London and Durham. A considerable number of pupils are embarking on 100% sports scholarships to the United States, with others pursuing very competitive degree-apprenticeship programmes.

August 21, 2025 – 13:05

Queen Ethelburga’s Celebrates Exceptional GCSE Results

Students and staff at Queen Ethelburga’s are celebrating fantastic GCSE and Level 2 BTEC results today, reflecting the dedication and hard work of the entire school community. QE is a highly popular independent school choice for local families, with nearly 500 day students and 800 boarding students across its student body.

This year’s cohort achieved 61% of GCSE grades at 9-7 (A*-A equivalent) and 83% at 9-5 (strong pass or above), continuing the school’s strong academic tradition and setting a solid foundation for Sixth Form success. These results will support an exciting range of next steps at the school, from A Level and BTEC pathways to specialist enrichment programmes tailored to their interests and ambitions.

Daniel Machin, Principal of Queen Ethelburga’s, commented: “GCSEs and BTECs are a strong foundation for further study and careers, and these results show just how committed our students are to their futures. It is inspiring to watch them grow into confident learners who are ready for the challenges and opportunities of Sixth Form life. We are incredibly proud of what they have accomplished.”

From September 2025, the Queen Ethelburga’s community are excited to combine the ISA Independent School of the Year (QE Faculty) and the leading school for academic results in the North (QE College), into one exceptional senior school providing an unprecedented range of academic, vocational, sport, performance, creative and co-curricular opportunities, to be named Queen Ethelburga’s College. The senior school will incorporate the GCSE years and the Sixth Form, sitting alongside Chapter House Preparatory School and King’s Magna Middle School, on their modern, well-equipped campus close to York, Harrogate and Leeds. With the opportunity for every student to create their own personalised programme of study, this change takes the very best of what is offered across the two current senior schools and combines this into one outstanding set of opportunities for local, national and overseas children and their families.

This exciting school development announcement is hot on the heels of being identified by The Telegraph as the Best Value co-educational private school in Britain.

QE GCSE Case Studies

Student Case Study – Amelia, Year 11 QE College

English Language Grade 9, English Literature Grade 9, Mathematics Grade 9, Further Mathematics Grade 9, Additional Mathematics Grade A, Biology Grade 9, Chemistry Grade 9, Physics Grade 9, Economics Grade 8, Psychology Grade 8, Geography Grade 9, History Grade 9.

Amelia joined QE in Year 10 and immediately embraced the life and opportunities available to her, both in academic and enrichment pursuits.

Her academic achievements have always shown an impressive level of effort with high scores throughout the past two years. In lessons she has always shown her passion and drive, often going above and beyond the requirements of the class. Amelia’s passion for Science and Mathematics has been noteworthy, participating in a range of National competitions including the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Mathematics Challenge, Biology Olympiad, National Scientific Thinking Challenge, Physics Olympiad, and Pink Kangaroo achieving silver or above in each of these.

Amelia’s commitment to personal development is evident in the completion of a wider range of extracurricular activities. Amelia is a member of the school netball team and York City Netball Club for the past 8 years, participating in the North Yorkshire Junior Leagues with numerous successful results. She is also a competitive horse rider who is involved in a range of disciplines, most predominantly showjumping where her team (York and Ainsty South) recently placed 4th at the Pony Club JCB National Championships in the 1.00m team competition.

In addition to Amelia’s engagement with enrichment activities, she has taken on several leadership roles including umpiring U14 North Yorkshire Junior League matches with the Into-Officiating award and completing the Young Leaders Award. Additionally, Amelia has spent multiple hours for the last 2 years helping to coach netball training and helped at Pony Club Mini Camp 2023 and 2024 leading children on ponies.

Looking ahead Amelia’s academic journey continues as she prepares to study A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Further Mathematics. Her ambition to pursue a career in Finance is a testament to her dedication and passion for making a positive impact on the world. We are incredibly proud of her attainment and, more importantly, the progress Amelia has made during her time with us, and we look forward to seeing her continue to excel in future.

August 21, 2025 – 13:03

Myddelton College Celebrates Outstanding GCSE Results

Myddelton College is proud to celebrate the achievements of its GCSE pupils following the release of results this morning. Many of the 44 Year 11 students attended the school to share the moment with their families, friends, and teachers.

Headteacher Mrs Lucy Davies expressed her congratulations to pupils, parents, and staff, commenting, “These results are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our students. They show a bright future ahead for our sixth form.”

The College reported an impressive 28% of grades at the equivalent of A*–A, with an overall pass rate of 85% at A*–C. This achievement aligns with the findings of the recent Estyn report (June 2025), which noted that “Nearly all pupils exhibit strong oracy, digital literacy and collaboration skills, and across Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 in particular, many pupils demonstrate strong subject knowledge and skills.”

Several students celebrated exceptional individual results:

Daisy and Mia achieved a remarkable combined total of 17 A*/A-equivalent grades, and are now considering their Year 12 options.
Will was thrilled with his maths result and shared his success with his teacher, Mr Dixon.
Tom proudly received nine A/A* equivalents, celebrated by his family.
Arran and Nat earned a combined total of 18 A*/A-equivalent grades.

The Myddelton College staff turned out in force to congratulate and support all pupils on this special day, making it a memorable celebration of achievement.

August 21, 2025 – 12:50

LVS Ascot commends students on outstanding GCSE Results for 2025

Pupils at independent day and boarding school, LVS Ascot, where pupils are inspired to exceed expectations, are celebrating an amazing set of GCSE exam results.

Highlights include 100% BTEC pass rate and 100% pass rate in many subjects including Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Maths (Higher Tier), Music, Media and French. 92.7% of all pupils entered achieved at least 5 x 4-9 grades.

The remarkable success of this year’s results reflects pupils’ hard work and determination, as well as the high standards of academic excellence and specialist subject teachers. Two LVS Ascot pupils achieved 8 x grade 9 grades.

Jack is celebrating an outstanding set of GCSE results achieving six grade 9s and three grade 8s. He is continuing at LVS Ascot for Sixth Form, choosing to study English Literature, Philosophy, and Law. He is excited to be part of the Oxbridge Pathway.

For Jack, the community is at the heart of what makes LVS Ascot special:

“It’s not just about the subjects it’s also the co-curricular activities. The shows and musicals have been amazing, and I’ve loved working with the crew. Every teacher is so enthusiastic, and they really are the school’s greatest asset.”

Rosie is also celebrating exceptional success achieving six grade 9s and three grade 8 in her GCSEs. Rosie is staying on at LVS Ascot Sixth Form, where she has been awarded a Spirit of LVS Scholarship. She will be studying Maths, English Literature, and History.

She says LVS Ascot is unique because it develops well-rounded people, encouraging students to pursue extracurricular activities alongside their academic studies.

When asked to sum up LVS Ascot in one word, Rosie chose: Enthusiastic.

Principal of LVS Ascot, Christine Cunniffe said “‘Year after year our pupils are awarded an outstanding set of grades. This is down to our wonderful young people who have worked so hard, committed to their studies and taking every opportunity to shine as they are doing today. To say I am proud is an understatement.”

August 21, 2025 – 12:24

Kimbolton School celebrates exceptional GCSE results

Kimbolton School, Cambridgeshire, is delighted to announce another year of outstanding GCSE results, reflecting the academic strength and commitment of its pupils and staff across a broad curriculum. The talented Year 11 cohort of 2025 achieved superb outcomes, with 21% of grades at 9, 61% at 9-7, and 97% at 9-4.

These achievements highlight the school’s ongoing pursuit of academic excellence and its commitment to delivering a holistic education.

This year’s results build upon the school’s recent A Level successes and reaffirm Kimbolton’s reputation as one of Cambridgeshire’s leading independent schools. The outcomes are a reflection not only of the pupils’ hard work, but also of the school’s supportive and inclusive community, embodied by its ‘One School, One Family’ ethos.

2025 GCSE results highlights from Kimbolton:

•   21% of grades were 9

•   41% of grades were 9-8

•   61% of grades were 9-7

•   97% of grades were 9-4

Notable subject achievements include:

Music: 86% achieved grade 9
History: 38% achieved grade 9
Biology & Chemistry: 37% achieved grade 9 in each subject, and in Physics 34% achieved grade 9
Religious Studies: 28% achieved grade 9

Will Chuter, Headmaster at Kimbolton School, praised this year’s cohort, commenting: “We are incredibly proud of our Year 11 pupils and their tremendous success in this year’s GCSEs.Their achievements highlight their commitment to their studies, the quality of our teaching, and the supportive community that makes Kimbolton such a special place to learn. I am especially proud to see success across so many different subjects, which reflects the broad and balanced education we provide. We are excited to watch these young people build on their success as they move into the Sixth Form and take the next steps in their journeys.”

Kimbolton School is a leading independent day and boarding school located in the heart of Cambridgeshire. With around 1100 pupils aged 3 to 18, the school combines a historic setting – including its own castle – with modern facilities and a forward-looking approach to education. Kimbolton is committed to developing confident, compassionate individuals who are ready to make a meaningful contribution to society.

August 21, 2025 – 12:11

St Edmund’s pupils celebrate outstanding GCSE results

Following highly successful A Level results last week, St Edmund’s College in Ware is delighted to announce that its GCSE results are its best to date. Over a third of the grades awarded to this year’s GCSE cohort at St Edmund’s were at the highest level of 8-9 (previously A*).

Individual pupil success stories included Cosimo C, Megan C, Megan S, Jessica B and Amelia J who each achieved grades 8-9 in all of their subjects. An impressive 20% of the year group scored an average GCSE grade of over 8, with many additional success stories of pupils achieving higher than expected results.

Headmaster Matthew Mostyn praised the year group’s achievements: “We are absolutely delighted with this year’s results, which are testament to the pupils’ hard work and the support they have received from our exceptional teaching staff as well as their parents and guardians. We look forward to seeing many of the year group return in September for the next step in their academic journey as they embark on A Levels or CTECs. The academic results achieved today will give pupils a strong foundation for their future endeavours. While our wider holistic approach to educating the whole person will ensure that they will also have the leadership skills and emotional resilience required to succeed – whatever their next step.”

St Edmund’s is a World-Class High Performance Learning (HPL) school. Teaching at the school follows an evidence-based framework that helps students develop advanced cognitive performance characteristics alongside specific values, attitudes and attributes.

Together, these provide a strong foundation for academic and lifetime success. The school’s broader academic intake is rooted in Catholic values, but its holistic education ensures that all our pupils are encouraged to reach for the very best grades whilst developing important leadership and soft skills that ensure they will succeed.

August 21, 2025 – 12:05

Celebrations at Shebbear College as students achieve excellent GCSE results

There was a fantastic atmosphere at Shebbear College this morning, as Form 5 (Year 11) pupils gathered with friends, family, and teachers to receive their long-awaited GCSE results.

This year’s cohort faced unique challenges, joining Year 7 in the middle of the Covid pandemic, but despite this, have performed exceptionally well in their GCSEs with many achieving highly across all subjects, opening up exciting opportunities for the future. A number of students also exceeded their target grades, demonstrating Shebbear’s strong value-added output, which measures how much progress a child has made since their starting point.

“I’m incredibly proud of Form 5, and it was a real pleasure to see so many smiling faces this morning as they received their results,” said Head, Charlie Jenkins. “Many students have successfully balanced their GCSE studies with other passions such as sport and the performing arts, which speaks volumes about their resilience and commitment.”

“Our focus at Sheb is always on helping each pupil achieve their personal best – whatever that looks like for them – and I’m delighted that so many have done just that, often surpassing the grades predicted when they first joined us.”

Heidi Hunkin, from Torrington, is celebrating an impressive four Grade 9s, three Grade 8s and two Grade 7s today, while classmate Bethany Raddon-Sung opened her envelope this morning to reveal five Grade 8s and three Grade 7s.

“I was feeling really stressed this morning to be honest! said Heidi. “But when I opened my envelope and found out how I’d done I was very surprised, and definitely happy – I’m over the moon with PE, Chemistry and Biology in particular.

“We’re all going to be celebrating later this evening so I’m looking forward to that and relaxing for a bit before starting in the Sixth Form in a couple of weeks!”

Bodie Carter, from Hatherleigh, will move on to the Sixth Form to study Physics, Maths, Further Maths and Geography A-levels in September after having gained one Grade 9, three Grade 8s, 3 Grade 7s, two Grade 6s and a Grade 5 in his GCSEs. Bodie has juggled his academic studies with a talent in Music and the Performing Arts, working on Grade 7 in the Piano and starring as Bernardo in the Senior School Production of West Side Story this year, as well as completing the Ten Tors Challenge as part of the 45-mile team in May.

“I was shaking a little bit when I opened my results as I was really nervous.” Said Bodie. “I’m very happy with what I got; I worked pretty hard and I feel like my grades reflect that. I got a 9 in Physics which is a highlight as I’m doing Physics A-level.”

This year’s cohort has two sets of twins: Natasha and Sophia Weston, from Bideford, and Ben and Ed Greenaway from Holsworthy celebrated together this morning as they opened their envelopes to reveal some excellent results! They are all looking forward to coming back to the Shebbear College Sixth Form in September.

“Obviously there’s quite a lot of stress around results day, but I feel so much better now I know my results!” said Sophia, “I’m really happy and I’m going to be studying Biology and Geography A-Levels, and BTEC Sport in the Sixth Form”

Meanwhile, sister Natasha said she had a mixture of excitement and nerves this morning. “I’m really happy with what I got and I did better than I expected in some subjects so I feel very relieved! I’m staying at Shebbear to do English Lit, Geography and Politics A-Levels and I can’t wait!”

“I wish Form 5 all the best for the future.” Charlie Jenkins said. “I’m looking forward to seeing many of them return to Shebbear for the Sixth Form in a couple of weeks and I hope that those heading to college for specialist courses will keep in touch. A huge thank you to our brilliant team of teachers, who have played a key role in this success – well done everyone!”

August 21, 2025 – 12:05

Exceptional GCSE results at Bishop’s Stortford College

Year 11 pupils at Bishop’s Stortford College celebrate exceptional GCSE results.

Hot on the heels of last week’s outstanding A Level results, Year 11 pupils at Bishop’s Stortford College once again outperformed 2024 pupils, with an exceptional set of GCSE results.

With 29% of all results awarded the highest possible grade 9, 53% of results graded 9-8, and 77% graded 9-7, the results reinforce the College’s position as a dynamic, forward-thinking, vibrant all-through school, that drives global educational development and prepares pupils for the future in an ever-evolving world.

Seven pupils achieved a remarkable ten grade 9 results, and nearly 50 pupils join the College’s prestigious ‘10 Club’, after achieving 10 or more grades between 9-7.

Pupils studying history performed particularly well, with 88% achieving grades 9-7, alongside maths (81% grades 9-7) and English (80% grades 9-7). The sciences also saw exceptional performances, with 84% achieving grades 9-7 in biology, 83% in physics, and 77% in chemistry.

Pupils studying Modern Foreign Languages also delivered an excellent set of results, with 94% of French results, and 73% of Spanish results being graded 9-7. Following last week’s stunning A Level art results, GCSE art pupils also delivered, with 77% being graded 9-7. The College’s first cohort of pupils to study GCSE computer science also performed well, with 78% of results being graded 9-7.

Commenting on the excellent GCSE results, Mr John Maguire, the College Headmaster, said, “Once again, through their hard work and determination, our pupils have demonstrated our core values of belonging, scholarship, and character, and delivered an exceptional set of GCSE results. In a world that demands adaptability, critical thinking, and a capacity for lifelong learning, the role of education has never been more pivotal. Creating a coherent and progressive learning journey for our pupils aged three to 18, coupled with a well-rounded holistic education, ensures our Year 11 pupils have the foundation to go on to flourish in our thriving Sixth Form. We look forward to seeing how they continue to prosper as they move on to study for their A Levels.”

August 21, 2025 – 12:02

Bede’s Pupils Achieve Outstanding GCSE Results

Bede’s Senior School is proud to announce another set of exceptional GCSE results this year, marking a strong year in academic achievements.

Following on from the record A Level results last week, nearly half of all GCSE grades (45%) were at a 9-7 level, which is equivalent to an A*/A, matching last year’s record-breaking results.

This year’s impressive GCSE results extended across a wide range of subjects. In Physics and Chemistry, 41% of pupils achieved the very top grade 9, whilst over half of all pupils also achieved the equivalent of A* or A in English Literature. Over half of pupils in Economics (58%) and History (59%) achieved 9-7 grades, while 74% of Art pupils also scored 9-7 grades (the equivalent of A* or A).

Amongst the top performing pupils were Hattie Hiscox from Kingston who secured 11 GCSE’s at 9-7 including nine top grade 9’s, one 8 and one 7 and Skye Coetser from Forest Row who also gained eight grade 9’s, two grade 8s and one 7. Pippa Nunn from Mayfield achieved 12 grades 9-7 and Tom Lilley from Laughton also achieved 11 of the top grades 9-7.

Continuing Bede’s strong tradition of combining excellence in the academics and performing arts, Moon Ng from Eastbourne achieved eight 9’s, two 8’s and one 7, including a top distinction in BTEC Business, whilst also excelling as a pianist. Bede’s Legat Dance Academy pupil Freddie Whittingham from Tunbridge Wells achieved seven of the top 9 grades, one 8 and a 7, including a top distinction in BTEC Performing Arts alongside his wider dance training programme.

Academic Assistant Head, Nicholas Abrams said “Bede’s pupils have achieved outstanding GCSE results once again supported by personalised learning pathways, exceptional teaching, and over 100 weekly after-school sessions. Teachers combined their academic mentoring of pupils along with a commitment to innovative teaching practice to ensure every pupil thrives academically and develops the skills to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.”

Bede’s Head, Peter Goodyer added: “Congratulations to all of our pupils on their strong GCSE results. These achievements are a testament to their hard work and dedication, not only in their studies but also in their exceptional contributions to school life. The success we see today reflects our commitment to a holistic education, and I am looking forward to sharing in their continued success as they move through to our Sixth Form. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the parents and teachers for their unwavering support.”

August 21, 2025 – 11:15

GCSE 2025: Cranleigh School’s Summer of Academic Success Continues

Cranleigh’s Year 11 students, who sat their GCSE examinations this summer, have delivered an outstanding set of academic results, with year on year improvements across the board.

78% of all pupils achieved a 9-7 grade in the core subjects of English and mathematics – an 8% increase on 2024. 25% of all grades were 9’s – the highest grade possible – a 5% increase on last year. 72% of all grades were in the 9-7 range – up 4%. 59% of students achieved seven or more grades 9-7, up 4% from 2024.

Sam Price, Head at Cranleigh School, said: “I’d like to send my congratulations to every GCSE student this year for the dedication they’ve shown in their studies and the outstanding academic results we’ve seen today. These results complete a really impressive summer of exam performance, showing how well the school is able to balance students’ academic demands with taking care of their wellbeing and giving them space for wider interests like sport and the performing arts. Three quarters of students achieved grades 9-7 in English, mathematics and science making this one of our strongest GCSE years ever.”

Strength across the board

Overall, there were 13 subjects where over half the grades were a 9 or an 8, including:

Biology (54%), Chemistry (55%), English Language (55%), English Literature (66%), French (50%), Geography (85%), Greek (100%), History (69%), Latin (70%), Music (88%) and Physics (58%).

84 out of the 142 students in the year (59%) achieved seven or more 9-7 grades. 62 students (44%) achieved nine or more 9-7 grades – an increase of 7% on 2024.

Mrs Price continued: “Cranleigh offers a really impressive range of subjects beyond the academic core. Our results this year show that in every area we’re helping students to achieve some very high grades, setting them up for further success in the sixth form here and as they go on to university and beyond. There’s real dedication on the part of our staff to support each student, meet their needs and push them to achieve the very best for themselves. It’s a summer that should make everyone at Cranleigh School very proud.”

Today’s GCSE results follow an impressive set of A Level results last week, which saw 83% of grades at A*- B, 51% of grades at A* – A, and just over a quarter of all students achieving a clean sweep of A*/As.

August 21, 2025 – 11:16

GCSEs at Barnard Castle School

A STUDENT who was rushed from a GP surgery to hospital for emergency surgery was celebrating yesterday after collecting his GCSE results as his school secured increased grades across the board.

Barnard Castle School pupil Dermot Metcalf was said to be just hours away from potentially fatal sepsis when he had surgery to remove infection after a severe appendicitis.

His parents Stuart and Suzanne took it in turn to keep a 24 hour a day vigil at his bedside until he recovered. Dermot lost more than a stone in weight during the health episode but that didn’t stop him passing all of GCSEs including achieving a grade 8 in history.

The 16-year-old was taken ill during his mock examinations and missed six weeks of school in the run up to his GCSE examinations. Dermot and his family had high praise for the school for supporting him and helping him catch up on his studies.

Barnard Castle School embarked last year on a programme designed to focus on academic ambition. This year it saw a marked improvement in the percentage of 9 to 4 grades on 2019.

Dermot, a keen rugby player who recovered enough to go on a summer tour with the school to South Africa, said: “I’d been poorly on and off for around ten days and I thought it was a bad winter sickness bug.

“I’d started my mocks but then had to go to the doctors and they knew it was serious and sent me straight to Darlington Memorial Hospital. I had surgery straight away to remove my appendix and lots of infection around my stomach because the surgeon thought my appendix had been ruptured for 10 days.

“Once I’d recovered I felt like I was behind with my work so my tutor and all my teachers helped me catch up. I did extra work and revision and by the time the exams started I felt fairly confident that I had caught up.”

His dad Stuart said: “This is Barnard Castle School at its very best. The support Dermot received was outstanding. He was so poorly and very lucky. It was very stressful for him and the whole family.

“It was terrible timing for his exams but he has come through it all OK because the school was absolutely excellent at supporting him and helping him catch up. They put plans in place to give him the best chance of success after missing so much school. He was as best prepared as he could be for his exams.”

Dermot plans to stay on at Barnard Castle School’s Sixth Form to study A Levels in politics, geography and design technology. He then hopes to secure a degree apprenticeship in accountancy and work in the City one day.

Top polo player Isabel Fall will be combining her love of the sport and her school next term when she competes in New Zealand but continues to study at Barnard Castle School.

She might be playing polo on the other side of the world but she will continue to study her A levels remotely with teachers at Barnard Castle School.

In an innovative approach to learning, after securing eight 9s, two 8s and a 7 at GCSE, the 16-year-old, of Pickhill, near Thirsk, will take A levels in chemistry, biology and maths via Teams for six months while she is playing polo in the Antipodes.

“We only play in the summer so I’ll spend my time in New Zealand during our winter then come back here for the summer,” said Isabel, who is a member of the England team.

“I’ve been riding virtually since I was born. I used to ride in a basket seat when I was a baby and have been a member of the Pony Club for as long as I can remember. My uncle got me into polo and I love it.

“So I’m going to study my A levels online when I’m in New Zealand so I can play all year round. I am quite academic and would like to go to university but the aim is to become a professional polo player one day.”

Headmaster David Cresswell said: “Following last week’s excellent A Level outcomes, the GCSE results confirm that our focus on academic ambition is beginning to deliver results across the whole school.

“The marked improvement in the percentage of 9 to 4 grades, not only compared to last year but also when set against pre-Covid results in 2019, reflects the determination of our students and the strength of the whole-school approach now embedded at Barnard Castle School.

“These results show impressive progress across all subjects and student groups. They confirm that our academic and pastoral strategies are delivering success at every stage of school life, not just in the Sixth Form. True to our broad and inclusive ethos, students of all abilities have flourished with the right support, proving that ambition and accessibility can go hand in hand.

“This success is the outcome of a collective effort. Our students have shown ambition, character and resilience. Our staff have worked with extraordinary commitment to support and stretch each individual. Our families have played an important role too. These results reflect the power of a community that believes in its young people and helps them to thrive.”

August 21, 2025 – 10:57

Superb GCSE Results Reflect Eastbourne College’s Ambitious and Healthy Approach

Eastbourne College secured wonderful GCSE results.

Eastbourne College is today celebrating superb GCSE results, once again reflecting the success of the school’s unique, healthy balance of academic achievement, ambition and breadth.

Overall, the proportion of results that were graded 8 or 9 (equivalent to an A* under the previous system) rose even further, to 34%. A fantastic 18 pupils achieved a clean sweep of grades 7 to 9 in every subject, with two securing an amazing ten or more grade 9s. Superb results were achieved across the broad curriculum, with more than 77% of grades in art, German, history, Latin and textiles at A-grade equivalent or higher. Pupils also performed well in STEM subjects, where 60% of grades in triple science were awarded 8 or 9. Every grade achieved by pupils who took GCSEs early, in Year 9 or Year 10, was a grade 9.

Among those celebrating exceptional results is Hector L, who achieved eleven grade 9s. Reacting to the news he said, “I am delighted with my results. I found all the extra sessions, especially on Saturdays, very useful for revision. Whether it was going over something we had already done in class, or practising exam technique, they were always helpful.”

Headmaster Tom Lawson said: “We could not be prouder of this fantastic group of young people. Their results show the remarkable personal growth and academic success that can be achieved by pupils who are given the opportunity to balance academic ambition with time and space for creativity and wider interests.

“Their success is underpinned by exceptional facilities in a stunning, safe and healthy location. I am delighted to see how we have helped them unlock their extraordinary talents and am excited to see what they can achieve in the next phase of their education and personal development.”

These results cap a superb year for the College, marked by recognition in sector awards, outstanding sporting achievements, many at the national level, and high praise in its recent ISI Inspection, in particular for creative and performing arts. They also come a week after the exceptional A-level results achieved by the school’s sixth-form leavers, who have secured places at leading UK universities, many in highly competitive pathways such as law and medicine, as well as scholarships to US colleges and degree-apprenticeships.

August 21, 2025 – 10:44

Haberdashers’ Adams Celebrates Excellent GCSE Results

Haberdashers’ Adams is pleased to announce that GCSE pupils have achieved an excellent set of results.

A cohort of 148 pupils completed their GCSE studies at Adams, with almost every pupil studying ten subjects, resulting in a pass rate of 93% (grades 9 – 5). 81% of pupils achieved grades 9 – 6, 59% of pupils achieved grades 9 – 7 and 39% of pupils achieved the highest grades of 9 – 8. In addition there were some incredible individual achievements to celebrate. A total of 24 pupils secured grades 9 – 7 (formerly A*/A) in all ten of their subjects and 2 pupils achieved a straight set of ten GCSEs at grade 9 (formerly A*).

At Adams, pupils sit ten GCSEs including three separate sciences, a language, a humanity, a performance subject (art, drama, music or PE), maths and English. We believe passionately in giving pupils every opportunity to grow into interesting, balanced, confident and articulate young people. There were some particularly high results in the sciences and maths but also in the humanities (geography, history and religious studies).

Headmaster Gary Hickey said: “I’m thrilled to share an excellent set of results and extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our pupils. They’ve worked incredibly hard to achieve these results, supported along the way by our dedicated staff, whose unwavering support and guidance have been instrumental in helping our pupils succeed.”

Incoming Head Mr Biggins added: “We’re delighted that the majority of our pupils will be continuing their journey with us in the Sixth Form, where they’ll benefit from an environment that fosters both academic excellence and personal development. Whether they continue into our Sixth Form or pursue alternative pathways, we are incredibly proud of all our pupils and wish them well for the bright futures ahead of them. We also look forward to welcoming new pupils, from other schools, and are excited to see what they will bring to Haberdashers’ Adams.”

August 21, 2025 – 10:28

The Leys Celebrates Best Ever GCSE Results

On Thursday 21 August, the 2025 cohort of Year 11 pupils at The Leys received the best GCSE results in the School’s recorded history.

An impressive 86% of all grades awarded were 9, 8 or 7, 66% were graded 9 or 8, and 38% were graded 9, the highest possible mark. This is the second time in four years that The Leys has celebrated record-breaking GCSE results, continuing its upward academic trajectory.

Overall, 10% of pupils secured nine or more grade 9s, and 21% received all grades at 8-9. Top-performing pupils included Yazen A, Phillipa F, Benjamin S, Kitty S, and Pax Z, all of whom achieved straight grade 9s.

Subject highlights include an outstanding 78% of Mathematics grades at 9-8, and more than 70% of Drama grades awarded at grade 9. The exceptional performance in Drama reflects the continued success and excellence of the School’s wider curricular Drama programme, which remains a cornerstone of creative life at The Leys.

Incoming Head, Clare Ives, commented: “These outstanding results are a testament to the dedication of our pupils and the unwavering support of our teaching staff. I am particularly proud to see such strength across the range of academic subjects, which speaks to the breadth of excellence at The Leys. I look forward to working with staff and pupils as we continue to nurture ambition, curiosity and confidence in every pupil.”

August 21, 2025 – 10:18

GCSE Success at Denstone College: A Celebration of Achievement and Character

Today marks a proud moment for the entire Denstone College community as our Fifth Form pupils receive their GCSE results — and what a set of results they are. Across every measure, our grades have improved, with scores of pupils achieving truly exceptional outcomes.

These results reflect not only academic excellence but the spirit and determination of our pupils. They have worked hard, supported one another, and remained deeply engaged in the life of the school and the wider community. From volunteering and mentoring to leading creative and sporting initiatives, they have shown that success is about more than just grades.

Head of Denstone College, Lotte Tulloch, commented:

“We are thrilled with this year’s GCSE results. Our pupils have shown remarkable commitment and fortitude, and we are especially proud of the way they have balanced their academic studies with meaningful contributions to our school and wider community. These young people are not only high achievers — they are kind, thoughtful, and inspiring.”

Among the highlights are pupils who have achieved straight 9s, those who have made exceptional progress, and many who have overcome personal challenges to reach their goals. Their achievements are a credit to their families, their teachers, and most of all, to themselves.

We look forward to welcoming them back in September as Sixth Formers, ready to take on new challenges and continue shaping the future of our school.

August 21, 2025 – 10:18

Adcote School for Girls GCSE Results 2025 – Celebrating Success Across the Whole Community

As a non-selective school, we are incredibly proud of the achievements of all our students in this year’s GCSE results. Pupils secured an outstanding 83% pass rate at grade 4 and above, with nearly a quarter (23.5%) of results at the highest grades 9–7 (A*–A equivalent).

Several subjects achieved 100% of students at grade 9–4 (A*-C), including Art, Geography, Music, Textiles, Spanish, Religious Studies, and BTEC PE, reflecting both the dedication of our students and the expertise of our teachers.

We also celebrate some truly outstanding individual results, including Pang, an accomplished pianist who hopes to study medicine in the future. Pang achieved an exceptional five grade 9s, three grade 8s and one grade 7, all while studying for her GCSEs in English as a second language.

But our success is measured by much more than exam statistics. Alongside their GCSEs, our students have:

Achieved distinction awards in Grade 7 and 8 Music exams,
Excelled in music competitions at regional and national level,
Gained distinction in LAMDA performances,
Reached the finals of national musical theatre competitions,
Taken part in demanding external theatre productions, and
Shown remarkable resilience, with some overcoming life-changing personal challenges that have made them stronger and more determined.

These results reflect not only academic achievement, but also creativity, resilience, and the all-round excellence that our school community fosters. We are proud of every single student, their results are a testament to their hard work, the dedication of our staff, and the unwavering support of their families.

Quote from Head, Nicola Tribe, “I could not be prouder of our students. Examination results are only one measure of success. What matters most is that our students leave us with confidence, resilience, and a belief in themselves. These qualities will carry them further in life than any single grade ever could.”

August 21, 2025 – 10:03

Outstanding GCSE Results at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School

Students at The Duke of York’s Royal Military School are once again celebrating a year of exceptional success in their GCSE examinations, with nearly a third of all entries achieving a grade 9-7. 79% of students achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and Mathematics. This year’s results reflect the hard work, determination, and ambition of Dukies, with a significant number earning coveted academic and sports scholarships as they move into Sixth Form

Principal Alex Foreman commended students and staff alike, stating: “We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements. As one of the top-performing non-selective boarding schools in the country, we are delighted to see so many Dukies choosing to continue their journey with us into Sixth Form. Our university-style boarding environment, alongside our academic and enrichment programmes, offers a truly unique education. Students thrive here – not just academically, but as confident, well-rounded individuals prepared for the future path they choose.”

This year, 13 students were awarded academic scholarships for outstanding GCSE performance, while 7 received sports scholarships recognising their talent, commitment, and leadership on and off the field. 4 of these students will join the school’s elite Rugby Performance Pathway, delivered in partnership with Ealing Trailfinders – a testament to the school’s dedication to developing athletic as well as academic excellence.

Among the many outstanding achievements this year are Samuel McLay, who earned six grade 9s and three grade 8s; Bijes Rai, with three grade 9s, four grade 8s and two grade 7s; Nina Umeh, who achieved four grade 9s, one grade 8 and four grade 7s; Chidera Achomadu, who secured two grade 9s, four grade 8s and three grade 7s; and Parisha Rai, who secured one grade 9, five grade 8s and three grade 7s.

The school’s distinctive ethos, combined with small class sizes, exceptional education, and outstanding opportunities, continues to support students to exceed expectations and reach their full potential.

August 21, 2025 – 09:29

Heathfield students celebrate outstanding GCSE results

Heathfield School, Ascot – rated ‘Excellent’ across all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate – is celebrating the outstanding achievements of its GCSE students and the dedication of staff, whose hard work has clearly paid off in this year’s exceptional results. Nationally predicted grades were exceeded across the board, with students achieving on average well over a full grade higher in every subject, with more than a third of all grades awarded as 9 – 8 (A*) grades.

All Heathfield’s top performers are continuing into Sixth Form, where they will build on their GCSE success with tailored mentoring, bespoke timetabling and exceptional opportunities to lead and excel. Among this year’s outstanding achievers are:

Lily with an impressive 100% grades 9-8, who will be continuing her academic journey with A-level Maths, Economics and History.
And Flo who’s also celebrating success with 100% grades 9-8, has chosen to pursue A-level Economics, French, English and Spanish.

Commenting on this year’s achievements, Headmistress, Sarah Rollings said, ‘Congratulations to all our incredible students on their outstanding results. Alongside the excellent grades, the girls truly embody our ethos – ‘small school, big opportunities’ – by contributing to all aspects of school life beyond the classroom. Whether through Drama, Music, Sport or other extra-curricular activities, their energy, ambition and enthusiasm shines through in everything they do, perfectly capturing the spirit of Heathfield.’

August 21, 2025 – 09:13

Royal Hospital School Celebrates Consecutive Record-Breaking GCSE Results

The Royal Hospital School (RHS), in Ipswich, is celebrating another year of exceptional academic success as its Year 11 pupils achieve outstanding GCSE results – the best in the school’s history!

An impressive 56% of all grades were awarded at the very highest level of 9–7, with 98% at grades 9-4. This marks the second consecutive year of record-breaking GCSE performance at RHS, reinforcing the school’s sustained trajectory of academic excellence.

These results follow only a week after the school’s best-ever A Level outcomes, with 46% of grades awarded at A*-A or equivalent. Taken together, these back-to-back records across GCSE and A Level are truly remarkable and stand as a testament to the determination, ambition, and talent of the diverse RHS community.

Irfan Latif, Headmaster, comments: ‘I am truly delighted for our 2025 GCSE cohort and immensely proud of all they have achieved – both academically and through their wider contribution to life at RHS. Many have balanced their studies alongside our vibrant co-curricular opportunities, from sailing and music to sport, CCF, leadership positions, and more.

RHS is proud to be home to pupils from a wide range of backgrounds, and it is a genuine privilege to provide the opportunities and support that enable them to fulfil their potential. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues for their unwavering dedication, to our families for their encouragement and guidance, and above all to our pupils, who have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into every aspect of RHS life. They have achieved remarkable results while developing as confident, well-rounded young people.

The future is exceptionally bright for this cohort. We look forward to welcoming them back into the RHS Sixth Form in September, alongside new pupils from across UK and around the world, as they continue their RHS journey.’

Katie Banks, Deputy Head (Academic), comments: “Our pupils should be immensely proud of all they have achieved. Results Day marks the culmination of years of hard work, and at RHS we are delighted that this has once again translated into record-breaking outcomes. We are thrilled with all that has been accomplished both in and beyond the classroom, as pupils grow and develop their strengths, talents, and passions. I look forward to continuing to support, guide, and encourage our pupils as they progress through the RHS Sixth Form and take the next steps in shaping their futures.”

Pupil profiles

Elise Liddell: 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9

Elise has achieved excellent set of GCSE results in English Literature, English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, French, and Latin.

The highest performing pupil, Elise achieved the highest possible grade in every one of her subjects.

Since joining RHS in Year 9, Elise has made the most of every opportunity as both an academic and sports scholar. She has represented the school at the highest level in hockey and cricket, playing in the 1st teams for both sports. Her dedication has also been recognised through consistently achieving her Diamond Award, acknowledging academic effort.

Beyond sport, Elise has shown a strong commitment to school life, serving as a peer mentor and being an active member of both the guard and the philanthropy committee. She has also taken part in service activities, supporting local primary schools and care homes, activities she found especially rewarding.

Elise will be back this September to study A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology, alongside an EPQ at the RHS Sixth Form, with the ambition of pursuing a degree in Medicine or Dentistry at university.

Congratulations, Elise!

Stanely Kemp, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 8, 7

Stanley has achieved excellent GCSE results in Combined Science, Geography, History, Spanish, and Philosophy and Religious Education.

Since joining RHS in Year 7, Stanley has become a keen sportsman, with a particular passion for cricket. He has been an enthusiastic and active participant in school sport throughout his time here. Academically, History has stood out as his favourite subject, where his interest and engagement have consistently shone through.

In September, Stanley will go on to study Maths, History, and Economics in our RHS Sixth Form. He has set his sights on a future career in finance.

Well done, Stanley!

Hebe McQuaker, 9, 9, 9, 9, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 7

Hebe has achieved excellent GCSE results across Maths, English Literature, English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, History, Music, and DT.

Joining RHS from Kersey Primary School in Year 7, Hebe has made the most of her time at the school, immersing herself in a wide range of academic and co-curricular opportunities. She has completed her Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award and is now working towards Gold. As a Corporal in the Army section of CCF, a Secretary General in Model United Nations, and a dedicated musician, Hebe has developed strong leadership, confidence, and discipline.

Music has been central to Hebe’s RHS journey – she is involved in Chapel Choir, Chamber Choir, Marching and Concert Band, as well as Gig Night performances and solo singing, having recently achieved Grade 7 vocals and Silver Performance Colours.

This September, Hebe will study A Levels in History, Music and Maths in the RHS Sixth Form, with the goal of studying Architecture at university.

Reflecting on her time at RHS, Hebe says: “RHS has given me a vast array of opportunities that I could have never imagined. This could only have been made possible through the supportive staff, who have enabled and encouraged me in everything I’ve done.”

Congratulations, Hebe – your energy, leadership, and creativity have made a real mark at RHS, and we’re excited to see all you achieve next!

August 21, 2025 – 09:09

Mayfield School reaches new heights with half of all GCSE grades at 9 or 8

Mayfield, a leading Catholic independent day and boarding school for girls, is celebrating another year of outstanding GCSE success, with half of all grades awarded at 9 or 8 — including 30% at the highest grade 9.

Mayfield’s Headmistress, Deborah Bligh, commented: “I am so proud of our girls and absolutely delighted with this year’s GCSE results. For half of all grades to be awarded at 9 or 8 is an exceptional achievement and reflects not only their determination and hard work, but also the tireless support, expertise and encouragement of their teachers. At Mayfield, our small classes mean every girl is known and valued as an individual, and it is inspiring to see them thrive and make such extraordinary progress when given the right support and challenge.”

“While we celebrate their impressive academic success, what truly sets a Mayfield girl apart is the kindness, creativity and confidence she shows in using her talents to make a positive difference in the world. Our rounded approach nurtures intellectual curiosity alongside emotional resilience, producing outstanding results while developing the whole person.”

“As they move into the Sixth Form, I am excited to see them grow as leaders, discover new passions and continue to flourish in ways that are unique and meaningful to each of them as we guide them on the next stage of their academic adventure.”

August 21, 2025 – 09:00

Ipswich School Celebrates Another Year of GCSE Achievement

Ipswich School is delighted to celebrate the success of its Year 11 pupils, who have once again secured excellent GCSE results that reflect both their ability and their commitment to learning.

In 2025, 139 students completed their GCSEs, with almost 60% of all grades awarded at 7–9, and every student achieving grades 4–9 in at least five subjects, highlighting both the consistency and breadth of achievement across the year group. Impressively, well over half of the cohort (74 students) secured grades 7, 8 or 9 (previously A*/A) in at least six subjects.

Reflecting on his first year as Head, Nick Gregory said: “Right across the 2024/25 academic year, I have been delighted to discover an established culture in Year 11 of teacher-pupil collaboration, of regular advice and extra study support for those that need it most, and of individual subjects going above-and-beyond in the weeks and months before the ‘exam season’. This is what sits behind this set of results and this is why not just our pupils, but also their dedicated and outstanding teachers, should feel a justifiable sense of pride
and satisfaction today.”

The vast majority of students will continue into Ipswich Sixth Form, joining another part of the school recognised for its outstanding academic outcomes, with last week’s A Level results providing further evidence of that success.

Andrew Bradshaw, Head of Middle School, added: “This cohort has shown remarkable dedication. Their achievements reflect notonly hard work, but also a collaborative spirit, resilience, and a vibrant commitment to co-curricular life, particularly in Drama, Music, and Sport. They have grown in confidence and character, and we look forward to seeing them carry these qualities into Sixth Form and beyond.”

Ipswich School continues to nurture capable, confident and motivated learners through a broad and ambitious curriculum, and has been named Suffolk’s top independent school in The Sunday Times Schools Guide for the past nine years.

Congratulations to all Year 11 students for their achievements, and to the teachers whose guidance and encouragement have helped them create extraordinary futures.