GCSEs at Ballard
Record Breaking Value Added for Class of 2026
We are celebrating yet another exceptional year of GCSE success, with a sensational overall value-added score of +1.34 up from +0.89 last year and nearly tripling the national gold standard of 0.5.
On average across every subject, each pupil achieved 1.34 grades higher than expected, based on their baseline assessment, surpassing last year’s remarkable value-added score. Over half (55%) of pupils had an average value-added of one grade higher or more in every subject. An astonishing 17 subjects (See list below) added on average 1 or more grades above expectation with four subjects adding on average 2 or more!
Value Added
10% of pupils average VA 3+
22% of pupils average VA of 2+
55% of pupils average VA of 1+
With nearly half of all results (46%) achieving top grades (9-7), which is double the national average (23.1%). With more than a quarter of GCSEs awarded at grade 9 or 8, and and over 1 in (11%) grade 9 – double the national figure (5.2%).
One pupil gained straight 9s, another achieved 100% in both Maths and Statistics and two pupils gained 100% in Textiles.
Overall, our pupils achieved a 94% pass rate, nearly 1.5 times the national average (grades 9 to 4) across all subjects (up 2% on last year). 36% of our pupils gained a grade 9, 57% achieved a grade 8 and 78% at least a grade 7.
An incredible 11 subjects saw a 100% pass rate – Art, Biology, Chemistry, Dance, Drama, French, Geography, ICT, Music, Physics and Textiles. Statistics gained 100% at Grade 9.
15 subjects achieved over 40% at the highest grades (grades 9 to 7). For the full list of highest-performing subjects please see the list below.
“We are immensely proud of all our pupils. As a school that welcomes pupils with a wide range of strengths, talents and academic abilities, each cohort is unique, making the consistency of our outcomes all the more remarkable.
This is another record-breaking year for Ballard and that sustained success is testament to the hard work of our pupils, and the quality of teaching, individual support and encouragement they receive throughout their time at Ballard. Congratulations to all!”
Mr Stuart Turner, Headmaster.
Value Added
Subjects achieving +1 to +1.49
Art, Business Studies, Drama, Design Technology, History, Maths, Spanish, PE
Subjects achieving +1.5 to 1.99
Dance, English Language, English Literature, Food Technology, Textiles
Subjects achieving +2 or more
Computer Science, French, Geography, Music
Highest Grades (Grade 9 to 7)
30%+ Drama (30%), PE (33%) and Combined Science (32%)
40%+ Art (43%), English Literature (49%), Food Technology (44%) and Spanish (44%)
50%+ Biology (54%) Computer Science (50%), English Language (55%), History (50%), Maths (54%) and Textiles (50%).
60%+ Chemistry (69%), French (70%), Geography (67%), Music (91%) and Physics (69%).
For details of all our GCSE courses, please view our GCSE Options Booklet:
