Yarm School celebrates outstanding GCSE results as nearly half of all grades awarded at 9-8

Yarm School is celebrating this year’s GCSE cohort. Nearly half (48%) of all GCSE examination results were awarded the top 9-8 grades (A*).

Out of almost 1000 total GCSE exam entries, the average GCSE grade at Yarm is just above a 7. Eleven pupils achieved 9 or more grade 9s and four of our talented pupils accomplished the extraordinary feat of eleven out of eleven grade 9s: Janvi Chelliah, Christina Lin, Sophie Pritchard and Banming Yang.

The class of 2026 has achieved exceptional results beyond their GCSEs, representing the school at national sports competitions across a wide range of sports, including rugby, rowing, netball and hockey.

Lucy Oliver achieved nine 9/8 grades and one 7 grade whilst making Yarm School history as part of the first girls’ rowing crew to progress beyond the first round at Henley Royal Regatta. A prodigious talent with a bright future in the sport, Lucy has been part of the GB rowing trials as a 16 year old in the U19 category performing highly alongside older rowers.

Amelie Sawyer, Sienna Hyndman, Lucy Mitchell and Molly Raine were part of the team to take 3rd place at the National Netball Championship, whilst Alfie Arnold has been on the Rugby Scotland Player Pathway at U16 level. Oli Mansfield, Harry Brothwood, Freddie Gilraine, Jake Wheatley and Alfie Arnold have also represented the school in the national indoor hockey finals this year. On the water, Oscar Lane and Charlie Ashworth were Yarm’s highest performing crew at the National Schools’ Regatta and went on to be part of the Henley boys’ quad. Emma White also had national success at rowing in the National Schools’ Regatta.

Twins, Amarah and Anisha Kaur achieved an impressive feat with nineteen 9/8 grades and one grade 7 between them. The twins are dedicated to helping the local community, collecting hundreds of items for the Trussell Trust food bank to distribute over Christmas.

Last year, Yarm School’s student magazine claimed top honours at the Shine School Media Awards. GCSE pupils, Sarah Abbas and Danai Mawoko served as Lead Editors, with Yasmin Shawgi taking the role as Art Director for this year’s magazine. Together, they achieved an impressive twenty-two 9s between them.

Subject results were equally impressive, with Chemistry, German, DT-Textiles and Religion, Philosophy and Ethics impressively having 70% or over of all entries at the top 9-8 grades.

Dr Huw Williams, Headmaster, said: “We are immensely proud of this year’s GCSE pupils. They are a close and supportive year group who have shown commitment and ambition to achieve these outstanding results. They have been supported, encouraged and challenged by our dedicated staff who provide the environment that enables our pupils to flourish. I am also grateful to parents and families who are very much part of our community.

“We are particularly proud of the breadth of achievements across this year’s cohort. From national sporting success and theatrical performances to creativity and academic excellence, our students have embraced the opportunities available to them. They can step into the Sixth Form with confidence, ready to face new challenges and reach new heights: we look forward to watching their future successes over the next two years”.