Chiswick Year 11 Students Excel in Their GCSEs

Another round of outstanding results from local schools

Chiswick School students react to their GCSE grades

August 24, 2023

Despite a uniquely challenging set of circumstances for this year’s GCSE cohort, students in Chiswick have managed to achieve some outstanding grades.

As OFQUAL had deemed that the current Year 11 group had been given a more ‘normal’ education, despite the disruption of the pandemic, marking standards returned to pre-Covid levels.

Nevertheless, Chiswick School describes its GCSE performance as outstanding, with results surpassing national averages and continuing their trend of year-on-year improvement.

30% of all grades achieved were grades 9-7 (equivalent to the old A*-A grades), compared to the national average of 21.6% and 80% were grades 9-4 (equivalent to the old A*-C grades), compared to the national average of 67.8%

Nationally results have returned to 2019 grade distributions, but Chiswick School bucked this trend attaining better results than both 2019 and 2022. 54% of grades in Science were 9-7 with many students choosing to study A levels at the school’s Sixth Form.

Notable achievements include Milly, who achieved eleven grade 9s and will be staying on to study Computer Science, Maths, Further Maths and Physics. Mary who also achieved seven grade 9s and will be studying Politics, Chemistry and Maths and Hussein who achieved five grade 9s and will be studying Biology, Maths, Chemistry and Psychology both also in the school’s Sixth Form.

Headteacher Laura Ellener stated, "These results reflect the tireless commitment of our students, the unwavering support of our staff and parents, and our belief in continuous improvement. We've always aimed to foster a culture of excellence, and these GCSE results further validate our approach. Well done to all our Year 11s!"

High achievers at Chiswick School Mary (left) and Milly (right)

Other Year 11 students at Chiswick School with their results

Head of Sixth Form Christian Williams stated, "Following our outstanding A-level results last week, it's with immense pride that we open our doors to this new group of Sixth Form students. Their impressive achievements are a reflection of their commitment, the unwavering support they've received at our school, and the strong foundation laid by their predecessors. As they step into this pivotal phase of their academic journey, we have every confidence that they will uphold the tradition of excellence, meeting challenges with fervour and adding to the rich tapestry of our learning community. Congratulations to all, and let us look forward to even greater accomplishments in the years ahead!"

West London Free School (WLFS) also bucked the national trend with 48% of all GCSE entries graded 7 to 9 and nine pupils gaining straight 8s and 9s. 83% of pupils gained a 4 or above in both English and Maths and half of all pupils gained a 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) combination of subjects.

Overall, these results are comparable with those achieved in both 2022 and 2019..

Ben McLaughlin and Robert Peal, Joint Headteachers at the WLFS, said, ‘We are thrilled with Year 11s efforts this year. They have shown enormous resilience over the past years of highly-interrupted schooling, and been rewarded by a fantastic set of GCSE results. They worked incredibly hard throughout the year and should be proud of these grades. A big thank you to the wonderful staff at WLFS for the support they have shown these pupils.’

At Latymer Upper School 93% of all grades are 7-9 (equivalent to A*/A), more than half (55%) of all grades are 9s (high A*) and 25 pupils achieved ten or more grade 9s which the school describes as its best performance in ‘normal’ times.

“Congratulations to all of our students in Year 11, who have done so well this year,” said Ian Emerson, Deputy Head, Academic. “These remarkable GCSE results follow on from an excellent set of A Level results last week and complete an incredible year for our School. My thanks to colleagues across all academic departments and pastoral teams and our Academic Mentoring Department, all of whom worked closely to deliver an astonishing level of holistic support and care for our students.”

Students have achieved this academic excellence whilst also enjoying success in sport, music, drama and charitable works. For example:

• Musician Luke secured a remarkable 12 straight grade 9s (A*)
• Hockey 1st XI player, Phoebe also got straight grade 9s
• Charlie topped off a year of rowing success with seven grade 9s and three 8s
• Drama Scholarship holder, Paddy achieved nine grade 9s and one 8
• As well as running half marathons to raise thousands of pounds for their chosen charities, Julia and Sidd achieved outstanding grades (14 grade 9s and four 8s between them)

Head, Su Wijeratna said, “I’m absolutely thrilled for our students and their parents. I applaud them for their tenacity and dedication to their studies during such an unprecedented period. They have truly managed to make the most of their time at Latymer, excelling not just academically, but also across the many co-curricular activities on offer here. I congratulate them all on these excellent results and look forward to seeing them thrive in Sixth Form.

"I would also like to thank our incredible staff who have devoted themselves to providing outstanding pastoral support as well as inspirational and dedicated teaching. The hard work and dedication of our students and staff has culminated in these excellent results - the best in ‘normal times’ the School has ever had.”

Further afield, St Benedict's says its GCSE candidates have achieved the best ever set of results at the school in a year when the full GCSE standard has once again been applied.

42.8% of all exams taken were graded 9-8 (A*), and 69.3% were graded 9-7 (A*/A). Eleven students achieved straight 9-8 (A*) grades, and thirty-nine students achieved straight 9-7 (A*/A grades).

A St Benedict student is congratulated on her grades. Picture: St Benedict's

GCSE results were strong across all subjects and were exceptionally good in History, Chemistry, Physics, French, Maths and Music.

The Headmaster, Andrew Johnson, said, “I am delighted that St Benedict’s GCSE students have been so successful. They have worked hard to achieve these outstanding results and are a credit to their families, and to their teachers, who have given their dedicated support throughout”.

Year 11 students at St Augustine's Priory saw 37% of all grades ay Grade 9 and 8, and 60% of all grades were Grade 7 or above. A wide variety of subjects received top grades, including Russian (100% Grades 9 – 8), Latin (100% Grade 9), Biology (86% Grades 9 – 7), Chemistry (93% Grades 9 – 7), History, (96% Grades 9 – 7), Music (80% Grade 9), Physics (80% Grades 9 – 7), Religious Studies (73% Grades 9 – 7) and Spanish (90% Grades 9 – 7).

Headteacher, Mrs Macallister (centre) with successful students

Headteacher, Mrs Macallister, commented, ‘Congratulations to all our Year 11 on their great GCSE results, particularly those girls who have achieved all Grades 9 and 8. Their commitment to learning and enjoyment of their GCSE courses has really motivated them to show how much they can accomplish. Well done to them all on their achievements.”

At Notting Hill & Ealing High School 46% of entries received grade 9, 74% entries were graded 9 or 8, and 88% of all exams were awarded grades 9 to 7.

Seven students achieved ten 9s, and six further students achieved nine 9s; 23 girls gained straight 9s and 8s, which is over a quarter of the year group.

Notting Hill & Ealing High School students Zara Dannatt, Amelia Dunlop, Zoe Davison and Sophie Angell picking up their GCSEs

Commenting on the results, Matthew Shoults, Headmaster at Notting Hill & Ealing High School, said, “I am delighted that our students have obtained such excellent results. They have shown purpose, poise, and a love of subject in preparing for their examinations. These results set the girls up to thrive in the Sixth Form.

Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland overall grades were down with 68.2% of all grades marked at grades 4/C and above. This has fallen mainly due to tougher marking standard in England. The results show that the London area is outperforming the rest of the country with a growing north/south divide developing.