Yarm School celebrates outstanding GCSE results

Yarm School is celebrating the success of its 2025 GCSE cohort, with nearly half (49%) of all grades awarded the top 9–8 (A*) mark, and just under a third at the highest grade 9. Thirteen pupils achieved nine or more grade 9s, with four – Isaac Akowuah, Naila Krishnamoorthy, Manvi Lall and Manya Rajeeva – earning a perfect eleven grade 9s, a feat achieved by only 145 pupils nationwide last year (Source – Ofqual data).

These outstanding academic results were matched by remarkable extra-curricular achievements. Isaac combined his studies with rowing at the final qualifying stages for the Henley Royal Regatta and performing in school drama and dance productions. Naila captained the U16 netball team to the National Schools’ Finals, represented the school in hockey, and performed the harp on stage. Manvi explored computer game design and ceramics through the school’s unique activities programme and gained success in national competitions in both Maths and Physics, while Manya excelled in a national Chemistry competition and performed in concerts on the flute and in the school production of Cinderella.

Pupils excelled across a wide range of subjects. In English, 48% gained a grade 9, while 49% of History pupils and 44% studying Religious Studies secured the top grade. The sciences also produced impressive results, with at least 35% of pupils gaining grade 9s in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Further Mathematics saw 48% of pupils achieve the top grade 9.

Many pupils also made significant contributions to the community. James Goodall, who achieved nine grade 9s and two grade 8s, supported dementia-friendly sing-along events, performed in a community choir for the King and Queen’s visit to Middlesbrough, and is a regular performer in concerts and performances open to the community.

Srikari Gollapenne, who achieved seven grade 9s and three grade 8s, played a key role in introducing Culture Week at Yarm, a pupil-led initiative celebrating the diversity of the school community. High achiever Charlie Baines, with nine grade 9s, one grade 7 and one grade 6, embraced outdoor education, represented the school in rowing, and played a committed role in the Combined Cadet Force.

Headmaster, Dr Huw Williams, said: “I am immensely proud of our pupils for their outstanding GCSE results this year, which reflect their commitment and determination. Equally inspiring is the way they embrace opportunities beyond the classroom. Through sport, music, drama, partnership work in the community and experiences such as CCF or DofE they develop confidence, resilience, empathy and leadership and the vital skills identified by the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report – skills that prepare them for life beyond Yarm.

“As ever, these impressive headlines only tell part of the story, and I know that among our pupils there are some who faced challenges or adversity on their journey to these GCSE results and they should know how proud we are of them. At Yarm, we are deeply committed to our ethos of Educating for Life, and it has been a pleasure to celebrate both the collective and individual achievements of our pupils with their families and with teachers and staff who work so hard to support them.”