Exceptional GCSE Results for Brentford and Isleworth Students

Top grades achieved despite tougher marking standards

Gunnersbury School Year 11 pupils with their results

August 25, 2023

This week saw Year 11 students across Brentford and Isleworth collect their GCSE grades and there have been some outstanding performances.

A group which has seen their education severely disrupted by the pandemic still includes candidates who have achieved exceptional grades.

As OFQUAL had deemed that the current year had been given a more ‘normal’ education marking standards returned to pre-Covid levels meaning higher grades were harder to obtain.

Gunnersbury School has described the results collected by Year 11 students this Thursday (24 August) as ‘absolutely sensational’.

46% of students achieved grades 9-7 totally bucking the national trend this year of declining grades. In addition, 94% of students achieved 5 or more GCSEs including English and Maths

The school says on its web site, “We are incredibly proud of all our Year 11 students who yet again have shown that hard work, teacher support and of course the love and care of their families are a winning combination. Our students are now able to embark onto their next stage of education and to the fantastic opportunities these grades have provided. “

At Isleworth and Syon School the top performer was Blake Lawrence with a clean sweep of 9s and 8s. His 9 in English Language was no surprise, as he enjoyed taking the opportunity to perform poetry - making it to the national Poetry by Heart Grand Final at Shakespeare’s Globe earlier this year. These public speaking skills will prepare him well for a potential future career as a lawyer – he will look to hone them further in the school’s Sixth Form.

Another student who has taken full advantage of the opportunities provided by the school is Kaname Asaki, who earned seven 9s, two 8s plus a 7 and 6. His musical talents have shone on the school stage since joining in Year 7.

(L-R): Blake Lawrence and Kaname Asaki of Isleworth and Syon School

Aayan Ahmed, Pierson Da Costa and Hafidh Abdalla all achieved straight 9s across the sciences, as well as another 13 grades at 9-8 between them. Aayan will continue his science studies with at the school which has a rich tradition of producing undergraduates in medicine.

Co-Headteachers Simon Fisher and Jo Higginbottom commented, “These results show the benefits of hard work, commitment, and resilience. We know that these Isleworthians have faced unprecedented national and sometimes personal challenges, supported expertly by both school staff and parents/carers at home. We are delighted that students have taken the support on offer and are well on their way to becoming distinguished alumni. We are thrilled with the levels of Sixth Form enrolment today, which shows that the students recognise the school’s long-standing commitment to exceptional education and outstanding opportunities – every day. Congratulations to all students collecting results today – we will always do everything we can to support you with your next steps.”

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!"

Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council, said, “I was delighted to visit Heston Community School yesterday, where I studied, to celebrate with students as they got their GCSE results. I want to congratulate every child in Hounslow who received their results today.

“In Hounslow, we are immensely proud of our schools and learning opportunities at all levels and it’s no surprise that we saw such encouraging results today. Going back to Heston Community School reminded me of my time there and how I was inspired to study history, which I found fascinating, and it laid a really solid foundation for further learning and career development.

“All our secondary schools have been recognised as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, and it’s testament to the high-quality education on offer, equipping our young people with the skills and knowledge for a brighter future.”

79.5% of students in Hounslow Borough achieved a grade 4 or above in Maths, significantly outperforming both the national average of 61% and London average of 65%.

Meanwhile, 63% of students achieved the more challenging grade 5 or above, 20% higher than the national average of 43% and 13.5% higher than the London average of 49.5%.

In English, it was a similar story with 83% of students achieving a grade 4 or above, outperforming the national average of 74% and the London average of 81%; 71% of students achieved the more challenging grade 5 or above, outperforming the national average of 58% and the London average of 67%.

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).

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, 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.