North London Grammar School GCSE grades rise to 53% top marks
Hendon school reports 95% of all exams achieved a Grade 4 or above.
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The central claim is attributed to the school and its staff, but no independent verification or external sources are cited.
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The article reads as a press release, lacking independent reporting, quotes from affected parties, or a clear separation of fact from comment.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
The headline and content heavily promote the school's achievements with loaded adjectives and a celebratory tone, typical of advertorial content.
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North London Grammar School (NLGS) in Hendon has reported a rise in its GCSE results for 2026, with 53% of grades awarded at levels 7 to 9. This figure represents an increase from 51% in the previous year and marks the eighth consecutive year of academic improvement for the school. Provisional national data from the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) indicated that 23.1% of GCSE grades across the country were 7-9 in 2026.
The school also announced that 95% of all examinations taken by its students achieved a Grade 4 or above. Fifteen subjects at NLGS recorded a 100% pass rate at Grade 4 and above. Specific departmental achievements include a 100% pass rate at Grade 4+ in Mathematics, with 51% of students securing Grade 7 or higher. Similarly, English saw a 100% pass rate at Grade 4+, with 47% achieving Grade 7+. Modern Foreign Languages also reported a 100% pass rate, with 78% of students gaining Grade 7+.
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Subject-Specific Successes
Students at NLGS achieved a 100% pass rate at Grade 4+ in STEM (Science, Technology, Maths) subjects, with 55% of these grades being 7 or higher. The Creative Arts department, encompassing Art, Craft & Design and Music, also reported a 100% pass rate at Grade 4+, with 82% achieving Grade 7 or above. The Humanities subjects, including Geography, History, Business, and Psychology, collectively achieved a 96% pass rate at Grade 4+.
Mrs Erdil, Senior Deputy Head and Director of Teaching and Learning at NLGS, stated, "We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our students in this year’s GCSE examinations. They have excelled across our creative, business and social science subjects, with particularly strong results in Art, Craft and Design, Business Studies and Psychology. These successes reflect the ambition, dedication and resilience of our students, alongside the expertise, commitment and high expectations of our teaching teams."
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The school highlighted its three-year GCSE programme, which begins in Year 9, as a key feature contributing to student progress. This approach allows students more time to develop a thorough understanding of their subjects, build knowledge progressively, and consolidate learning before examinations. NLGS reported that departing Year 11 students are progressing to leading colleges and higher-education pathways.
The school also noted its recognition by The Telegraph as a top-rated value-for-money private school for the second consecutive year. In 2025, NLGS received an 'outstanding' rating in its Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report across all areas of provision, including leadership, quality of education, and safeguarding. The school also received the Independent School Association (ISA) Award in 2025 for International Provision.
Student and Parent Feedback
Imran, a Year 11 student from the Class of 2026, reported achieving eight grade 9s in subjects including Mathematics, English, sciences, Psychology, and Geography. He expressed gratitude to his teachers for their commitment and encouragement. Roshni, also from the Class of 2026, achieved nine grade 9s in subjects such as Mathematics, English Literature, sciences, Art & Design, Business Studies, Geography, and Spanish. She credited the school's early start to the GCSE curriculum in Year 9 for her success.
Parents also shared positive feedback. Mrs Patel, a parent of a Class of 2026 student, stated that the Year 9 start provided a strong foundation and confidence, leading to outstanding results. Mr Raja, another parent, expressed pride in his daughter's GCSE performance and commended the teachers for nurturing her potential within the school's structured and academically focused environment.
North London Grammar School will hold an Open Day on 3 October 2026. Interested individuals can register their interest via the school's website.
Questions this report answers
+What were the overall GCSE results for North London Grammar School in 2026?
In 2026, North London Grammar School reported that 53% of its GCSE grades were awarded at levels 7-9. This represents an increase from the previous year and is the eighth consecutive year of improvement for the school. The school also stated that 95% of all examinations resulted in a Grade 4 or above.
+Which subjects achieved a 100% pass rate at Grade 4+ at NLGS?
North London Grammar School achieved a 100% pass rate at Grade 4 and above in fifteen subjects. This includes Mathematics, English, Modern Foreign Languages, and STEM subjects. The Creative Arts department also reported a 100% pass rate at this level.
+How do NLGS results compare to the national average?
North London Grammar School reported that 53% of its GCSE grades were 7-9 in 2026. Provisional national results for the same year, as reported by JCQ, showed that 23.1% of GCSE grades were 7-9, indicating a significant difference.
+When is the next opportunity to visit North London Grammar School?
North London Grammar School is holding an Open Day on 3 October 2026. Interested prospective students and parents can register their interest for this event through the school's official website.
Barnet Press News Desk
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