There was plenty to celebrate at school this morning as boys received an exceptional set of GCSE results, rounding off another highly successful year of academic achievement following last week’s impressive A-Level results and the International Baccalaureate results published in July.
Read: Celebrating an Outstanding Set of A-Level Results and Spectacular Results for our IB Cohort
Among the strongest GCSE outcomes in the school’s history, this year’s results represent Bedford’s second-highest GCSE performance on record. Across all examinations, 72% of grades were awarded at 9-7 (equivalent to A*-A), while an outstanding 93.2% of all grades achieved were at 9-5. More than a quarter of all grades awarded were Grade 9, the highest possible grade, reflecting the hard work, ambition and commitment shown by this year’s boys.
Particularly noteworthy was the achievement of 21 boys who secured results made up entirely of Grades 9 and 8.
“These are excellent results and a testament to the hard work, talent and ambition of our boys, supported throughout by dedicated teachers and parents. We are particularly pleased to see so many boys achieving the very highest grades, with a significant number securing results comprising exclusively Grades 9 and 8, making this one of the strongest sets of GCSE results achieved by Bedford School in recent years.
“As I prepare to take up the role of Head Master at Bedford School, I am delighted to be joining a community where academic excellence sits alongside such a rich breadth of opportunity. These results are a wonderful reflection of the commitment of the boys and staff, and I look forward to celebrating this success with them. On behalf of the whole Bedford community, I congratulate all our boys on their hard work and dedication and wish them every success as they embark on the next stage of their education.”
Michael Sloan, incoming Head Master.
Outstanding Individual Achievements
Among the top performers was Aaryan, who secured an outstanding 11 Grade 9s. He chose to open his results alongside his parents at school, describing the moment as “a big relief” after months of hard work.
“The GCSEs went really smoothly, thanks to my teachers, who were so supportive,” he said. “The school environment and the other boys pushed me to achieve my best and supported me throughout my journey.”
Aaryan will now go on to study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics at A-Level.
Also mong those celebrating exceptional success was Oliver, who achieved a remarkable clean sweep of 11 Grade 9s.
“I was really hoping to get mostly Grade 9s, but I wasn’t sure I would,” he said. “I’m absolutely thrilled. One of the major ways the school has helped me is through the regular testing and assessments, which started back in the Prep School. Every department is very thorough, and it meant I felt extremely well prepared when it came to the exams.”
Oliver will now progress to the Sixth Form, where he plans to study Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Latin.
Semilore also achieved an outstanding set of 11 Grade 9s.
“I’m really happy because I worked hard throughout the year, especially in English,” he said. “I attended the English coursework clinic regularly because it was a subject I found challenging. The extra support made a huge difference and helped me improve so much by the end of the year.”
In September, Semilore will study Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Art at A-Level.
Joining Oliver and Semilore with 11 Grade 9s was Joshua, who described opening his results as a wonderful surprise.
“I worked really hard, but I never thought I would get 11 Grade 9s,” he said. “The teaching and support at Bedford have been incredible. I attended lots of subject clinics, and the feedback teachers gave on internal exams really helped me understand where I could improve.”
Joshua will continue his studies in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Religious Studies.
Hamish achieved an excellent ten Grade 9s and one Grade 8, crediting subject clinics, enrichment opportunities and support from staff and fellow pupils with helping him reach his goals. He will study Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Latin in the Sixth Form.
For George, who secured nine Grade 9s and one Grade 8, the school’s pastoral and learning support provision played a key role in his success.
“The school has been incredible in supporting me, especially on the pastoral side,” he said. “My teachers have been really supportive, helping to make sure I had the right access arrangements in place and providing guidance whenever I was unsure about revision or preparing for exams.”
George will continue with Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and French at A-Level.
Elliot achieved an impressive nine Grade 9s and two Grade 8s and praised the support of his teachers and the revision sessions organised throughout the year.
“I’m really pleased with my results,” he said. “All of the teachers have been so supportive, and the revision sessions the school put on throughout the year were especially helpful in preparing me for my exams.”
Elliot plans to study Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics and Latin.
Meanwhile, Elias achieved nine Grade 9s and two Grade 8s and chose to wait until arriving at school before opening his results envelope.
“I was very, very happy when I opened the envelope,” he said. “The school has been great. During exam leave we were able to come into school to study, and the teachers were always available whenever I needed help.”
Elias will continue his Bedford journey with A-Levels in Mathematics, Physics, History and Music.
These excellent results are a reflection not only of academic achievement, but also of the character, determination and ambition shown by the boys throughout their time at Bedford. We congratulate every pupil on their success and look forward to seeing them flourish as they begin the next chapter of their educational journey in the Sixth Form.
For families considering the next stage of their son’s educational journey, Bedford School’s Sixth Form Open Evening will take place on Wednesday 23 September, followed by a Whole School Open Morning on Saturday 3 October. Reserve your place below.
