GCSE Results

Katerina joined Blackheath High School in Year 7 for the friendly, welcoming culture and strong reputation for academic excellence. Her exceptional GCSE results of 14 Grade 9s (straight A**s) reflect both her hard work and the strong foundation built by her teachers. 

Now preparing for A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and German, Katerina is aiming for a place at Cambridge to study Medicine, with ambitions of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. Her dream was fuelled not just in Biology lessons, but during an inspiring Futures talk from an alumna radiologist who spoke passionately about her flourishing career - and she has already lined up work experience in a hospital to gain insight into the medical field. 

She explains, “I am really looking forward to studying the subjects I love in more depth. My Science teachers have given me a solid foundation level to build on, and taking GCSE Further Maths and Statistics has left me feeling prepared and excited to begin my A-levels.” 

But for Katerina, Blackheath High is about far more than just academic excellence. Beyond the classroom, Katerina has made the most of Blackheath High’s rich co-curricular life, joining Rock Band; designing and creating her own garments for Fashion Society; performing at public speaking competitions; earning her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award; and going on unforgettable trips, from Iceland to the Alps. 

Katerina says, “Blackheath High has helped shape who I am – it has taught me resilience, confidence, and independence. My teachers have always challenged and believed in me. At one point, they encouraged me to stand up and read a poem in front of the whole school with no preparation and this helped me find a confidence I didn’t know I had. That same confidence helped me teach myself Spanish and sit the GCSE independently!” 

“Blackheath High has truly helped shape me into the person I am today, and I will be forever grateful. The teachers have always believed in me and encouraged me, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them." 

Safiya is delighted that all her hard work has paid off as she celebrates her GCSE grades – eleven 9s (A**) and one 8 (A*) – and prepares to move into Sixth Form where she will study French, Economics, Maths and Physics.

She joined Blackheath High in Year 7, impressed by the calm, welcoming culture, the academic ambition of students and the huge range of co-curricular activities to get involved with.  

Safiya has eagerly taken advantage of the many leadership opportunities on offer at Blackheath High. She gained her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh, and found that not just the expedition but also the volunteering, skill development and physical activity involved “built resilience and encouraged us to adapt to a range of tough situations”. She is a Peer Mentor, networking with students in other year groups, a Charity Representative, and a Form Representative. 

A keen mathematician, Safiya gained a Grade 9 (A**) in GCSE Statistics – she says, “I was so pleased because my year took the two-year course in just six months, and 100% of us gained the highest grades of 9-7, which felt like an incredible achievement.” 

Safiya has already completed work experience with the NHS, plus a week of work experience at the London Stock Exchange Group where she learnt the skills of networking, presenting, and risk management. She experienced our Sixth Form Taster Day where she fully immersed herself in Sixth Form by shadowing a Sixth Former. She has also taken advantage of our outstanding Futures Programme, accessing a wealth of advice for university, careers and life beyond school.  

Reflecting on her time at Blackheath High so far, Safiya has fond memories of many wonderful trips and enrichment experiences, as well as the many clubs she is part of, including Photography, French Debate, French Film, Embroidery, Table Tennis, Basketball and Badminton. 

She also appreciates the strong relationships she has built with both students and teachers, and the confidence the school has empowered her to build. She says, “I think the setting of an all-girls school definitely allowed me to grow in confidence. When I first joined, I was quite timid, but as time has gone by, I have really developed a strong belief in myself.” 

Leadership is a key quality that Blackheath High School encourages, and we foster the confidence in our students to have the courage to act when others are hesitant. Lydia explains, “I have taken up many roles of responsibility during my secondary school life, such as Diversity & Inclusion and School Council representative, and Peer Mentor. Furthermore, the school provides the opportunity to compete in many different competitions. I have won awards including Gold for the UK Maths Trust; the GDST Anne Hogg Modern Foreign Language Prize; and I was named Finalist for the Greenman Speech Competition. Blackheath High offers a great variety of clubs and societies, many of which I participated in; such as Model United Nations, Debate Club and UK Linguistics Olympiad. Additionally, some of my fondest school memories were made with my friends during sports clubs at lunchtime and after school!” 

Blackheath High School provides an abundance of guidance and support when it comes to students’ futures. Lydia says, “I took part in The Telegraph's four-week Media Literacy Programme to enhance my writing ability and understanding of diverse journalistic forms. I attended the Lloyds Banking Career Live, which improved my knowledge of careers in finance. Not only has the school supported my academic growth, but it has also ensured that I am well-prepared for life after secondary school.  

“I am looking forward to studying my four A-levels: Mathematics, Biology, Economics and Spanish. I am certain that Blackheath High Sixth Form will be a memorable and enriching experience due to the support and trust framework I've built with teachers and students alike at Blackheath High, which will ultimately help steer me for university life and beyond.” 

Nancy joined Blackheath High School in Year 10, drawn by the leafy location and the close-knit community that made her feel welcome from her first very taster day. As her new friends waved her off at the end of the taster day, she knew she’d found her home. 

Nancy is delighted with her GCSE results, hvaing achieved straight A*s (eight 9s and two 8s), and is now excited to begin A-levels in Maths, Economics and Geography plus an EPQ. With her sights set on studying Economics at university, Nancy is already thinking ahead to a career in banking – with the possibility of a law conversion course to keep her options open. “I love maths, rules and problem-solving,” she says. “Banking or law would bring all my interests together.” 

She feels ready to begin Sixth Form thanks to the many opportunities Blackheath High offered to help prepare her for the future – from aptitude assessments to one-on-one meetings with the Sixth Form leadership team, and support finding work experience at the Bank of America. 

Nancy is also a passionate netballer, representing Ireland at the 2025 Europe Netball U17 Championships. She regularly captains the school’s U15 and U16 teams and was named Netball Player of the Season in Year 10. She’s even factoring Netball Superleague team locations into her university search. 

“Joining Blackheath High has changed my life,” Nancy reflects. “It has helped me pursue both my netball and academic goals. I love the warm Blackheath High community that you feel the minute you walk in. From the end of year videos, Rock Band performances and shows to funny things like the ‘BHS shuffle’ where we all move down the rows in the Theatre to make space – all these little jokes and traditions and good times make one big community that helps girls to thrive. I have met the most wonderful group of people, who I know are going to be friends for life. And that close relationship extends to teachers as well – they push you to thrive while offering unwavering support and understanding. It genuinely feels like a second home.” 

Nikita joined Blackheath High in Year 8, attracted by what she describes as “a very healthy learning environment with kind students, an incredible variety of clubs – and the chance to study two languages as well as Latin!” 

It is a move that’s clearly paid off: Nikita is now celebrating fantastic GCSE results with a set of straight As (9-7) and preparing to begin A-levels in Psychology, Religious Studies and French, alongside an EPQ. Passionate about education, she’s planning a future in teaching and is gaining experience at a local primary school - although she is very keen to keep her options open. Nikita highly values the advice and support offered by our Futures team as she considers all the different paths open to her. 

Nikita says the sheer breadth of opportunity at Blackheath High has had a huge impact on her. She’s completed Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards, which “pushed me out of my comfort zone and also motivated me to get involved in volunteering,” and has thrown herself into the school’s vibrant co-curricular life – from football, basketball, netball and parkrun club, to embroidery, drama, filmmaking and chamber choir. 

She particularly values the “inclusive, supportive and joyful environment,” and loves being part of the school’s big community events, from the Musical and Fashion Show to Sports Day. 

“That’s what makes Blackheath High feel so special,” she says. “It’s a real community where you can be yourself, explore your interests and prepare for life after school.” 

Ruth, who is celebrating her GCSEs with an outstanding 12 x 9s (straight A**s) has been a Blackheath High girl since the age of three, when she joined our Nursery. The transition to the Senior School in Year 7 was easy because, she says, “It provided me with a strong and stable foundation for my education and enabled me to find out who I really am.” 

Now moving on to A-levels in Maths, Further Maths, French and Physics, plus an EPQ exploring the feasibility of moral relativism, Ruth is excited for Sixth Form life. Her ambition is to study Economics and French at university, and she’s already making the most of the school’s Futures Programme: “Blackheath High has made me feel really prepared for Sixth Form – I particularly valued the taster day where we shadowed a Year 12 student with similar subject choices to see what their days were like and what lessons involved. I also love the Wollstonecraft Speaker Series [a specialist series of talks discussing a wide range of career paths] - one that stands out was with an alumna who talked about her Radiology degree, gave us study and application tips, and gave us a realistic view of what university life is like.” 

Ruth’s time at Blackheath High has been as dynamic as it’s been academically rewarding. She created Dead Poet’s Society, a poetry appreciation group; she is working towards her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award; in Year 10 she received the prestigious Gold Crest STEM Award for her research into the effect of caffeine on Daphnia [zooplankton]. She also fondly recalls creative, cross-curricular lessons, such as “in French class, we went outside and played dodgeball against the Spanish class with a homemade ball!” 

Reflecting on her journey, Ruth says: “My teachers have helped me build confidence through their enthusiasm and belief in me. I’ve learned to really respect work hard in order to achieve my goals.”

Cecilia has obtained fantastic GCSE results with straight 9-8s (A* and above). She is going on to study Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths at A-level, with a view to studying Medicine or Engineering at university. 

After moving to the UK from Hong Kong, Cecilia joined Blackheath High School in Year 10. She explains, “I chose Blackheath High because it’s a really diverse community where I knew I could fit in quickly. My favourite memories so far are with my friends here, they’re all really nice and I’m looking forward to studying my A-level subjects with them in the Sixth Form.” 

Cecilia feels prepared for her next steps in the Sixth Form, having earned such a strong set of GCSE results and participated in the Sixth Form taster days both in Year 10 and Year 11. Of her teachers, she says “they are so helpful and they're always welcoming. When I have something that I don't understand, I just go to them.” 

As part of our Futures Programme, Cecilia is going to be shadowing a cardiologist later this month to help her select her career path. She will also be supported in this choice through our Enrichment Programme, which covers a wide range of topics - such as leadership, practical life skills including first aid and finance, volunteering opportunities, and preparing for life after Blackheath High.