Once again, we are pleased with our GCSE, Cambridge Technical and A level results for the academic year 2025-2026.

In GCSEs, it is always hard to pigeonhole our pupils in what can at times feel an arbitrary academic sense, but we are also very aware that our pupils will need a set of grades that will give them further opportunities in the future. It is therefore very pleasing that a year group, that we were already immensely proud of and impressed by, can now enter the next exciting step of their lives with the grades they need to ensure further success and happiness.

This cohort saw an improvement in the number of pupils achieving the top grades, an increase in the number of pupils achieving five and more GCSEs and an overall increase in the 9-4 pass rate. We are extremely impressed at the achievements of all our pupils as they have worked very hard throughout their time at the school, but there are several pupils who deserve special praise for the results they received. We would like to congratulate Isabelle Bryant, Hannah Collins, Tristan Collymore, Miles Morris, Leo Broadbent, Oliver Holman, Oscar Quirke, Flo Stott and Lili Oliva-Pugh who all achieved incredibly impressive sets of results across the board with several top grades included.

We are delighted to have seen year on year improvements in pass rates in all our core subjects of English, maths and science alongside excellent results in the foundation subjects. When combined with an increase in our key metrics mentioned above, we are delighted with the achievements of this cohort and are incredibly proud of them.

We are also pleased to celebrate another successful year of A Level and vocational results, reflecting both the academic achievement and personal growth of our Sixth Form students. This year, students achieved 46.7% A-B grades across A Level subjects, alongside an overall A Level pass rate of 95.4%. Vocational outcomes were equally impressive, with all bar one of our Cambridge Technical Business students achieving Merit grades or above and more than half securing Distinction* or Distinction grades (i.e. A*/A equivalent).  A number of departments recorded particularly impressive performances, demonstrating the breadth and quality of provision across our Sixth Form.

While these headline figures are pleasing, the most significant aspect of this year’s results is the progress students made from their individual starting points. Many entered the Sixth Form with GCSE profiles that were solid rather than exceptional yet left with qualifications that have opened doors to exciting futures. Our value-added scores are especially pleasing and there are numerous examples we could cite here. Across the cohort, students consistently exceeded expectations, demonstrating resilience, commitment and determination over two years of study. There are 35 students (out of a cohort of 51) who are heading to university to take up either their firm or insurance offers while the rest are either embarking on apprenticeships, employment or taking a gap year. With so much in the press about young adults who are classed as NEETs (not in education, employment or training), it’s encouraging that at this moment in time we have clear destinations for our leavers.

There are a couple of particularly noteworthy results including one student who achieved AAA and gained a place at medical school, overcoming significant personal adversity during his final year of study. Their achievements exemplify the transformative impact of excellent teaching, personalised support and individual perseverance. Another attained AAA and is heading to Queen Mary’s in London to study Law and one student achieved the remarkable feat of A*A*A*. There was one student who impressed both in terms of overall results and prior attainment; she scored the equivalent of four A* grades and is going to study Business and Management at York. She came into sixth form with an average points score of 6.44.

Beyond the grades themselves, students have progressed to a wide range of destinations, including universities, apprenticeships, employment and further training. We remain especially proud of those whose achievements surpassed what their earlier academic profiles might have predicted.

Perhaps the best summary of our Sixth Form comes from a recent leaver:

“Whereas many Sixth Forms demand top grades, BGI has always been about setting targets relative to a student’s personal goals. There isn’t any sense of grade stigma, which provides a safer learning environment. Having spent 15 years here, it’s safe to say the school has been a family to me.”

These results are a credit to our students, staff and families, and embody our commitment to helping every young person become the very best version of themselves.