Private schools see some of their best GCSE results yet

THE area’s independent schools are celebrating some of their best sets of GCSE results.

At Queen Anne’s School in Caversham, 98 per cent of pupils achieved five or more passes at grade four or above, including English and Maths. Last year, 96 per cent of pupils achieved that mark.

The proportion of students who achieved five or more GCSE passes at grade 7 or better was 63 per cent.

Crystal Bassey, 16, from Caversham achieved nine passes at grade 9 and one at grade 7 in further maths.

She sat her maths exam early in November to focus on the further maths exam sitting in spring.

She said: “I thought the exams were good. I was particularly happy with English literature and language and the sciences as well.

“I started revising in February and I reckon, per subject, I did around 30 hours of revision in total.

“I think chemistry went the best, which is my favourite science which I also revised the most for.

“I enjoy the analytical aspects of it and problem solving.”

She is staying at Queen Anne’s to study chemistry, maths, economics and French A-levels, in the “dream” of attending a Russell group university, like her sister who is studying computer science at Birmingham University.

Her dad, Emmanuel, 65, a civil engineer, said: “I’m very proud and very happy. It’s really nice when you see your daughter doing so well. It’s beyond expectations with perfect results.”

Lucie Barton, 16, from Bracknell achieved GCSEs at grade nine, apart from in physics and English literature. Her chosen subjects included history, geography and French.

She said: “I think English was definitely the one I was less prepared for because there were so many texts to study for and physics wasn’t always my favourite subject. I’m just very happy to have done so well.

“I would usually study after school most of the night and when it got too late in the evening I would put everything away and get a good rest as I knew it would help.”

She will be studying biology, psychology and geography A-levels at Queen Anne’s in September.

She added: “I have always loved biology, especially out of all the sciences, as it’s something I can connect with a bit more. Geography I have always loved as you can see it everywhere and psychology is something new.

“I am nervous for the next step, but I think it will be good fun to focus on three specialist subjects instead of studying for a wide range of different ones.”

Her mum, Angie, 58, who works for the charity the British Nutrition Foundation, said: “I was there whenever she needed me to bringing food, drink and calmness.”

Sienna Keyte, 16, from Henley, a drama scholar at the school, achieved nine GCSEs at grade 9 to 6.

One of her results, at grade 7, is one mark off an 8, so she will get the paper re-marked in the hopes of being bumped up to the next grade.

“I am very happy,” she said, “Drama is my thing, so I was upset to get the grade I did. An 8 is a very respectable grade but I hold myself to a higher standard than that, especially because drama is my favourite and I’ve always been good at it.

“I am really surprised, especially in English language, because I thought I was going to get a 5 but I got a 9. I got a 4 on my first mock and a 5 on the next one, so I was really happy to do so well.

“Combined science was a shock because I got 8s, which again I was so happy with.”

She will be studying history, psychology and drama for A-levels at Queen Anne’s in the hopes of either going to university or attaining a degree apprenticeship in television.

Ella Shraga, 16, from Henley, achieved five passes at grade 9 to 4 but failed her business GCSE.

She said: “I’m not sure what happened with business, but I’m really pleased with the 9 in art because I wasn’t expecting it.

“I love my teacher, who was really helpful, and the art department here is amazing, they’re like a second family.”

She will be attending Shiplake College to study art, media and drama A levels in September.

Headteacher Elaine Purves said: “I’m super proud of the whole group, they’ve done brilliantly and worked hard to get the results they wanted so they can go on to do wonderful A levels as the next step.”

At Shiplake College, pupils built on last years successes, setting a new academic benchmark.

The proportion of pupils who were awarded grade 9 to 8 was 18 per cent, an increase of one per cent from 2024.

Ninety-five per cent of pupils achieved five or more passes at grade 4 and above, an increase of two per cent from last year.

The proportion of students who achieved five or more passes at grade seven and above was 31 per cent, the same as last year. The overall pass rate, grades 9 to 4, was 95 per cent.

Charlie Scott, 16, who lives in Lower Shiplake, achieved nine 9s and an 8.

He said: “I found the exams quite difficult because they take up so much time and it’s hard to balance with other things in your life.

“I really enjoy maths and it makes sense to me but the hardest exam was definitely history. I worked really hard for it so I’m pleased I got a grade 9.

He will continue at Shiplake College in the sixth form to do maths, further maths, physics and economics.

His mum, Imogen, said: “Charlie has had the happiest years at Shiplake College. He has done so well. He’s super smart and I really just left him to do his studying the way he needed to do it. I am overjoyed with his results. I knew they would be amazing but he’s really exceeded all the expectations. I’m super proud.”

Headmaster Tyrone Howe said: “We are immensely proud of what our pupils have achieved this year — not just because these are the best GCSE results in Shiplake’s history, but because they reflect the hard work, resilience and ambition of this incredible year group. Our focus on metacognition — helping pupils understand how their brains work, how to revise effectively, and how they learn best — has clearly paid dividends. These results are a testament to the power of preparation, dedication, and belief.”

At the Oratory School in Woodcote, 86 per cent of pupils achieved five or more passes at grade 4 and above, including English and maths. It was 84 per cent last year.

The proportion of students who achieved five or more passes at grade seven and above was 26 per cent. A six per cent increase from last year.

Headmaster Matthew Fogg said: “We are so proud of our pupils for the hard work and effort that went into these results. It is also a tribute to the work of the staff and the support that they have offered to all the pupils. We are delighted at being placed in the top 25 per cent for value added for both GCSE and A Level results.”

At Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning, the pass rate was 99 per cent.

One hundred per cent of pupils achieved five or more passes at grade 4 or above, compared with 93 per cent last year. Eighty-two per cent of all entries were awarded a grade 7 or above.

Headmaster Pete Thomas said: “It’s always a great pleasure to see young people enjoying the fruits of their hard work, and I’m thrilled that this year group has so much to celebrate today.

“They’ve worked hard and played hard too, striking that all-important balance that’s so valuable to establish early on. It’s a foundation that will serve them well as they embark on their A level journeys here, and I very much look forward to seeing them continue to flourish over the next two years.”

Among the school’s top performing students was Davide Bonavita from Lower Earley, who achieved 12 grade 9s and is planning on studying biology, chemistry, latin and maths at A level.

He said: “I’m very happy because I did way better than I thought I would, and I’m really pleased with my results as I’m considering studying medicine or dentistry at university.”

Man Him Liu, from Earley, achieved 11 grade 9s. He said: “I moved here from Hong Kong a couple of years ago. It hasn’t been an easy year, so I’m very happy with my results and grateful for everything right now. I’d like to give a shout out to Miss Plowman, our head of year, who has been really supportive throughout this journey.”

Will Luff, from Tilehurst, achieved ten grade 9s. He said: “I feel happy, pleased and relieved. Today was a bit nerve-wracking, but the school has been really supportive, giving us lots of guidance on where to revise and providing helpful resources.”

Henley student, Murphy Watt
was awarded seven 9s, two 8s and two 7s. Luca De Felice, who also lives in Henley, achieved five 9s, four 8s, one 7 and one 6.