GCSEs at Ballard

Record Breaking Top Grades for Class of 2025 – half of all grades 9-7

We are celebrating yet another exceptional year of GCSE success, with half of all results achieving top grades (9-7) and two pupils securing a full set of grade 9s.

With 49.2% of exams passed at the highest grades (9 to 7), up from 34% last year, the 2025 cohort has surpassed last year’s record highs. Almost a third (31.5%) of GCSEs were awarded at grade 9 or 8, and more than 1 in 7 (14.3%) were grade 9. Overall, Year 11 pupils achieved a 92.2% pass rate (grades 9 to 4) across all subjects. 

An incredible 11 subjects saw a 100% pass rate – Art, Biology, Chemistry, Drama, Design Technology, Food Technology, German, Maths (Higher), Music, Physics and Textiles. Both German and Music GCSE pupils achieved 100% at the highest grades. Two pupils, Ella- Maria Lenherr and Rowan Jennings, achieved an astonishing 100% in their GCSE Art. 

On average across every subject, each pupil achieved 0.79 of a grade higher than expected, based on their baseline assessment, surpassing last year’s remarkable value-added score. Almost half (45%) of pupils had an average value-added of one grade higher or more in every subject, and across four subjects, pupils gained on average two and a half grades higher than expected. 

Andrew McCleave, Headmaster of Ballard School, said: 

“We are incredibly proud of our Year 11 pupils and delighted to celebrate their achievements. To see such a high proportion of top grades across STEM, the humanities and the arts, particularly as a non-academically selective school, is a wonderful reflection of the supportive, aspirational culture that defines Ballard. 

“These outstanding results are a testament to our pupils’ determination and hard work; they have truly embodied the well-rounded excellence we value so highly. 

“That same attitude has shone through not only in their academic focus, but in the breadth of their contribution to school life – from excelling in the performing arts and representing Ballard on the sports pitch to stepping up as leaders within our school community. 

“Our wonderful teaching team has, as ever, gone above and beyond, including giving their time after school and during holidays to run revision workshops, and I thank them for their extraordinary commitment and dedication. 

“We congratulate every pupil on their results. It has been a privilege to be part of their journey, and we look forward to seeing all they go on to achieve.” 

Highest Grades 

9 – 14.3%
9-8 – 31.5%
9-7 – 49.2% 

The following subjects gained 100% Grade 9-4: 

Art, Biology, Chemistry, Drama, Design Technology, Food Technology, German, Maths (Higher), Music, Physics and Textiles. 

An impressive range of subjects achieved notable percentages of top grades (9-7): 

German – 100%
Music – 100%
Drama – 83%
Chemistry – 81%
Computer Science – 75%
Food Technology – 74%
Biology – 72%
Physics – 71%
Business Studies – 69%
English Language – 68%
Art – 67%
Geography – 64%
French – 60%
Maths (Higher)- 58%
DT- 57%
Spanish – 53%
English Literature – 50% 

There were several pupils who achieved a clutch of the highest grades across the board – including two who gained straight 9s. 

The value-added score per child is slightly up year on year to 0.79, Ballard pupils consistently achieve over three-quarters of a grade on average across all GCSE examinations. This year, 45% of pupils had an average value-added of one grade higher or more in every subject. 

Pupils in the following 10 subjects achieved a value-added score of a whole grade or more on average:

Music – 2.88
German – 2.67
Food Technology – 2.53
Drama – 2.5
Art – 2.11
Design & Technology – 1.64
English Language – 1.63
Textiles – 1.44
Computer Science – 1.17
French – 1 

In Biology (0.78), Chemistry (0.75), English Literature (0.81) and Maths (Higher) 0.69, pupils gained a value-added score of over three-quarters of a grade, on average; History over half (0.52); with pupils taking Geography (0.39), Maths (0.37) Double Science (0.37) and Spanish (0.33) achieving a third of a grade higher or more. 

Maths 

Ballard offers pupils the opportunities to take GCSE Further Maths and Additional Maths which is an FSMQ qualification and sits between GCSE and A level. 100% of pupils taking Further Maths gained a Grade 9.  86% also passed Additional Maths with 29% gaining an A grade. 

With 49.2% of exams passed at the highest grades (9 to 7), up from 34% last year, the 2025 cohort has surpassed last year’s record highs. Almost a third (31.5%) of GCSEs were awarded at grade 9 or 8, and more than 1 in 7 (14.3%) were grade 9. Overall, Year 11 pupils achieved a 92.2% pass rate (grades 9 to 4) across all subjects.