Barnet GCSE students achieve high grades

Students across Barnet have received their GCSE results, with the borough performing well above national averages. Data from 20 schools shows that 82% of pupils achieved a standard pass, defined as grade four or above. This figure compares favourably to the national average of 67% and the London average of 71.7%.

The proportion of students attaining the highest grades also saw a significant increase. Nationally, 21.8% of GCSEs were awarded grades seven or above, while in Barnet, 41% of students achieved this standard. This places Barnet among the top three or four local authorities in the country for GCSE outcomes.

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School-specific successes

Queen Elizabeth’s School recorded its best-ever GCSE results, with headteacher Neil Enright announcing that 68% of all exams taken at the school achieved the top grade nine. Furthermore, 97% of grades at the school were between nine and seven. Mr Enright attributed these outcomes to pupil talent, hard work, the school's QE Essentials programme, and its 1:1 laptop scheme.

The Compton School, located on Summers Lane, reported that 76% of its pupils attained five or more GCSEs, including English and maths. A third of all grades awarded at the school were within the highest banding of seven to nine. Co-headteachers Louise Ismail and Andrew Hammod stated that these results placed many of their students among the highest achievers nationally.

At Ark Pioneer Academy in High Barnet, 76% of students achieved grades nine to four in English and maths. Principal Su Reddy commended the cohort for continuing Ark Pioneer’s strong record of academic success. Independent school Mount House in Hadley Wood saw 48% of its grades fall within the nine to seven range, and 80% between nine and five, alongside a 100% pass rate in science subjects. Head Jon Cooper noted that these results demonstrated what can be achieved in an all-ability intake when students are supported and inspired.

Bishop Douglass Catholic Secondary School headteacher Michelle Henderson congratulated pupils on another set of strong GCSE results. Saracens High School highlighted that its pupil premium students achieved, on average, nearly one-and-a-half grades higher than the national average. St Andrew the Apostle School also reported an increase in pupils achieving grades nine to seven in English and maths, following its strongest A-level results to date.

Council response

Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb, Barnet Council's cabinet member for family friendly Barnet, acknowledged the students' accomplishments. She stated that significant effort had been invested in exam preparation, and this year's achievements reflect the dedication of both staff and the wider school community.