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21
Aug
Students celebrate GCSE results in Harrogate district
Students across the Harrogate district are celebrating their GCSE results today (August 21).
Final marks for GCSE, BTEC and other qualifications have been released today following exams in May and June.
Under the new grading system, GCSE results are graded as 1-9, rather than the previous A-U grades. 9 and 8 is the equivalent of an A*, with 1 representing a G. 4 is a ‘pass’, while 5 is a ‘strong pass’.
The Stray Ferret has put together a list of secondary schools across the district, highlighting some of their students’ achievements. We reported on students’ A Level Results last week.
We will update this round-up with more results as we get them. To submit your school’s news, email us with details and photographs by clicking here.
Ripon Grammar School
A total of 93.9% of all grades awarded were between 9-5 (the equivalent of A*-B), with 59.6% of all grades achieved being 9-7 (A*-A).
A total of 472 top 9/8 (A*) grades were achieved by the 125-strong cohort.
Katy Thody and Yanxi Wang achieved 11 grade 9s. They also achieved an additional grade 8 each.
Other top performers include: Ray Cho, Thomas Simpson, Amelia Briggs, Alexis Ramshay and Archie Sculthorp – who achieved nine grade 9s, alongside additional 8s and 7s.
Headmaster Jonathan Webb said:
Well done to each and every one of them, their results provide a strong platform for future academic success.
Rossett School
Over two-thirds of all grades awarded were between 9 and 4 (A*-pass).
Several students achieved impressive individual results, including:
- Will Jarvis, who achieved grade 9s in all 11 subjects
- Alfie Young, who achieved six 9s, four 8s, and one 7
- Edie Tomlin Gale, who achieved five 9s, four 8s, and one 7
- Ammarah Kaleem, who achieved two 9s, six 8s, two 7s, and a 6
Headteacher Mr. Tim Milburn said:
It has been so rewarding to see the commitment, dedication, and effort of our students rewarded today. We know these grades are as much about attitude as they are ability, and we have all been so proud of the way our students have applied themselves, particularly in the run-up to the exams.
There are some wonderful individual stories behind the grades being celebrated today, and it has been a joy to see the journey our students have made, especially during these last two years. They are a remarkable cohort and we are now looking forward to seeing what they go on to do next.
Harrogate Grammar School
The school saw its strongest and most balanced performance sice covid, with 82% of students achieved five or more GCSE passes including English and maths.
Of all grades achieved, 35% were at the highest levels of 9-7 (A*-A) and the attainment gaps for disadvantaged and students with SEND reduced sharply.
Approximately 80% of the cohort are expected to remain at Harrogate Grammar School for Sixth Form study.
Headteacher Neil Renton said:
These results are a testament to the exceptional efforts of our students. They have faced significant challenges but, through resilience and hard work, they have achieved outcomes they can be truly proud of. Behind each grade is the unique story of each student – a story of perseverance, growth, and ambition. The remarkable individual achievements deserve much recognition, and we applaud every one of them.
We also recognise the crucial role that families and colleagues have played. It is the partnership between home and school that continues to be the foundation of success at Harrogate Grammar School. We appreciate the exceptional support from parents and the brilliant efforts of our teachers.
St Aidan's Church of England High School
Of all grades achieved, 34% were at 9 to 7 (A*-A) and nearly 90% of students achieved a grade 4 and above in both English and maths.
A number of students achieved a full set of grade 8 and 9 results, placing them among the top performers nationally.
Headteacher, Mrs. Siân Dover, commented:
We are absolutely delighted with this year’s GCSE results. Our students have worked incredibly hard and shown remarkable dedication to their studies, and these outcomes are a testament to their resilience and the unwavering support of our staff and families. To see so many students achieving top grades and improving across the board is truly inspiring. We couldn’t be prouder. We want to wish all our students the best of luck for the future, whatever path they choose.
Chief Executive of Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, Jane Goodwin, went on to say:
Some of these students have been in our Trust since they started in reception at Primary school. To see them flourish in this way, and to be with them today as they celebrate such incredible achievements is a real privilege and embodies the huge commitment of all the staff involved as well as the students and their families. A wonderful well done to everyone.
Nidderdale High School
Across the full range of subjects, one third of all students achieved at least one top grade 9-7 (A*-A), with many students achieving multiple top grades.
Hallie Gaston achieved all 11 grades at 9-7. Connie Pawson achieved 11 GCSEs including 9 at grades 9-7. Matthew Fazal achieved 8 of his 11 GCSEs at grades 9-7, whilst Calen Lock and Ieuan Parsons both scored 7 top grades each. Ieuan included an A* in Welsh amongst his top grades, which he studied for at home in his own time.
Students will be moving on to A Levels at Harrogate and Ripon sixth forms, college places in Harrogate, York and Askham Bryan, and high-quality apprenticeships with a range of employers.
A spokesperson at the school said:
We are very proud of all our students who have worked with the very highest levels of determination, resilience, and commitment. Once again, this year we have seen students achieving success after joining our school community relatively late, with 10% of the students sitting exams only joining us in Year 10 or Year 11.
We are proud of everything our school community has done to ensure success for all of our students, helping them to take their next steps towards their future studies and careers. We wish them all the very best for their future.
Ashville College
The class of 2025 secured results more than half a grade greater on average than their predicted score – a record high.
Physics saw 80% of the entrants achieving grades of 9 and 8. Music saw 75% of entrants awarded the highest possible grade of 9.
George Garland was awarded nine grade 9s - the highest possible grade.
Other personal success stories include Joe Bhaskaran, who achieved excellent results as he balanced his studies whilst training with Leeds United, where he has now signed a youth contract.
Emilia Linley, a rising talent on the local, regional and national tennis circuit, having played at Wimbledon, is celebrating another top performance off the court by securing excellent grades. She will now pursue her sporting dream in Spain, while continuing her A level studies with a bespoke, flexible programme under Ashville’s tutelage.
Harrogate Ladies' College
A record 22% of all grades at the school were 9s, while over a third of pupils achieved five or more 9-7 grades.
The school saw 80% of all Physics grades at 9-7. In Creative Arts (Art and Textiles), 81% of all grades were 9-7, and 22% of pupils achieved marks of 100%.
Pupils achieved an average of one grade higher than their baseline prediction.
Returning for Sixth Form at the college is India Thomas, who achieved a clean sweep of nine 9s in her GCSEs, including a perfect score of 100% in Textiles. Four of Reewa Bennett's eight 9s came in Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, while Esme Halliwell achieved eight 9s and two 8s.
Principal Joanna Fox said:
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. 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.
Harrogate High School
The school celebrated another set of improved GCSE results.
A spokesperson said:
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our GCSE results have improved yet again! This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible students, supportive staff, and wonderful parents.
At Harrogate High School, through our CARES values, we take immense pride in the difference we make in our students' lives. Every day, we're committed to ensuring that our young learners can take confident steps towards positive futures.
As we celebrate these achievements, let’s also remember that this is just the beginning. We look forward to seeing our students thrive in their next steps!
Boroughbridge High School
Students at the school are going on to a wide range of destinations including further study, apprenticeships and employment.
Horatio Hartley will be going on to Ripon Grammar School to study Politics, Economics and History. Imogen Hawkridge is going to Harrogate Grammar alongside Jacob Swain, who will study Economics, Maths and Geography.
Rowan Tennant is also going to Harrogate Grammar to study Sport, Sociology and Food Science.
Kathryn Stephenson, Headteacher of Boroughbridge High School said:
The class of 2025 have demonstrated our school values of being ambitious, respectful and resilient and I am delighted that this has resulted in their excellent achievements. We are incredibly proud of them and are confident that they will continue to be successful, making a positive contribution to the communities to which they belong.
We wish them well for the future and will look forward to hearing of their future endeavours. The results also reflect the commitment of the staff team and we thank our parents, carers and governors for their continued support.
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