Blackheath High students celebrate outstanding GCSE result
- Three quarters of all grades awarded were Grades 9-7 (equivalent A**-A)
- 54% of all grades awarded at Grades 9-8 (equivalent A**-A*)
- 36% of students achieved Grades 9-7 across every subject
- More than 70% of students achieved at least one Grade 9
Blackheath High School students are celebrating another exceptional set of GCSE results, with more than three quarters (77%) of all grades awarded at Grades 9-7 (equivalent to A**-A).
GCSE RESULTS
More than half (54%) of all grades were awarded at Grades 9-8, while more than nine in ten (92%) achieved Grades 9-6. The average GCSE grade across the cohort was an impressive 7.5.
Behind every grade is an individual story of hard work and determination – and today, there was plenty to celebrate. More than a third of students (36%) achieved Grades 9-7 across every subject, one in eight achieved straight Grades 9–8, and 71% of students received at least one of the highest possible Grade 9s.
The results continue Blackheath High’s strong trajectory in academic achievement, matching last year’s record-breaking results. The proportion of all grades awarded at Grade 9 has more than doubled since 2019, rising from 13% to 29% this year.
Girls excelling across STEM
STEM subjects delivered particularly strong results, with more than 90% of grades across Biology, Chemistry and Physics awarded at Grades 9–7. More than half of our Chemistry students (58%) achieved the highest Grade 9, while 68% of Physics grades were awarded at Grades 9–8.
Our Statistics students also excelled, with 100% of grades awarded at Grades 9–7. Students take this GCSE a year early, in Year 10, completing the course in just one academic year – once more challenging persistent gender stereotypes around Mathematics and embodying what a girls’ school education is truly for: not just access to every subject, but the confidence to own it.
Excellence across the curriculum
Outstanding achievement extended far beyond STEM. In Drama, 100% of grades were awarded at Grades 9–8, while 91% of Geography grades achieved Grades 9–7, alongside 88% in Art, 84% in French and 81% in English Literature. Religious Studies also stood out, with nearly two thirds (64%) of grades awarded at the highest Grade 9.
This breadth of academic excellence is reflected in Blackheath High’s distinctive GCSE offer. In the first year of offering GCSE Psychology, 80% of grades were awarded at Grades 9–8, while both students studying Ancient Greek achieved Grade 8.
Natalie Argile, Head of Blackheath High School, said, “Walking through the school this morning and seeing these young women celebrating their results reminds me exactly why this job matters. Every single one of them has earned this moment.
“Behind these results are years of hard work and determination, alongside exceptional teaching. I am incredibly proud of these brilliant students, and enormously grateful to the staff who have taught, inspired and encouraged them throughout their GCSE years.
“At Blackheath High, we have always believed that when girls are known, supported and given the confidence to pursue their ambitions, they are capable of extraordinary things. Today is that belief made real. There is no single version of success here and that is precisely the point. These girls are all individuals, with their own passions, talents and ideas about where they want to go next. Today we celebrate how far they have come. The next chapter is entirely theirs.”
Ready for what comes next
The celebrations follow Blackheath High’s record-breaking A-level results last week, when 55% of grades were awarded at A*–A and 80% at A*–B, marking an exceptional year of academic achievement across the Senior School and Sixth Form.
For the majority of our Year 11 students, the next chapter will begin right here at Blackheath High Sixth Form. In September, they will be joined by a record number of students from other schools.
As Sixth Formers, students have the opportunity to deepen their academic interests while developing the skills and experiences that prepare them for life beyond school through leadership, co-curricular opportunities, work experience and our Futures programme. As part of the GDST, they also benefit from specialist opportunities extending far beyond the school, including GDST LEAD and the GDST Space Technology Diploma.
Mrs Argile added: “GCSE results day is an important milestone, but what excites me most is what comes next. These girls are curious, ambitious and ready to take on new challenges, and I cannot wait to see where their interests and talents take them during the next two years and beyond.”
Read about some of our fantastic students and their stories of success at Blackheath High School:
Charlotte
Charlotte joined Blackheath High in Year 7 from John Ball School after discovering the school through online events during the pandemic. Even virtually, she was impressed by the welcoming atmosphere and knew it was the right place to challenge herself and pursue her ambitions.
Following excellent GCSE results, Charlotte is delighted to be continuing her journey at Blackheath High Sixth Form, where she will study Physics, Maths and Chemistry alongside an EPQ. Looking further ahead, she hopes to pursue a career in mechanical or automotive engineering, potentially through a degree apprenticeship with a Formula One team.
Exploring every opportunity
Charlotte has embraced a huge range of opportunities throughout her time at Blackheath High. She has completed both Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards and plans to continue to Gold in Sixth Form. She also achieved a prestigious Gold CREST Award for a Year 9 research project, represented the school at the Interschool Cycling Championships at Herne Hill Velodrome, winning first place with her team, and enjoyed taking part in the annual Fashion Show as both a model and, the following year, a designer, creating a piece inspired by Greek mythology.
Finding her future
Determined to explore different career pathways, Charlotte completed work experience across engineering, healthcare and motorsport, including placements at a structural engineering firm, Gallions Reach Health Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Red Bull Technology Campus.
From observing heart surgery to learning how a power-assisted steering rack is assembled, each placement gave her a valuable insight into different industries. It was her time at Red Bull, however, that has confirmed automotive engineering is the career she wants to pursue.
Reflecting on her time at Blackheath High, Charlotte says the confidence she has developed has been one of her greatest achievements. Awarded a Sixth Form Academic Scholarship and the Lucy Forrest Maths Award, she says an additional GCSE in Statistics strengthened her passion for maths and confirmed her ambition to study engineering. She believes the school’s supportive community helped her grow from a shy Year 7 pupil into someone who is confident to ask questions, share ideas and embrace new challenges.
“My friends and teachers are the main reason I wanted to stay on for Sixth Form. Blackheath High has given me the confidence to speak openly and without fear – something I know will be invaluable in my future career.”
Matilda
Matilda joined Blackheath High Nursery in 2013 and has grown up in our close-knit school community. When the family was exploring Senior School options ahead of Matilda’s 11+ journey, they visited the Senior School Open Morning and were incredibly impressed with the girls who led them on tour – confident, friendly and warm. They knew this was somewhere that would prepare their daughter for a bright future,
Thanks to an incredible set of GCSE results, a bright future is exactly what Matilda has ahead of her. This September, Matilda will continue her journey at Blackheath High Sixth Form, where she plans to study Philosophy, Religion and Ethics, Government and Politics, and Economics, alongside an EPQ.
Embracing every opportunity
Matilda has embraced school life both in and beyond the classroom. As a Sports Scholar, she has represented the school in netball, hockey and cricket and captained the netball team. She has also achieved her Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, completed a Gold CREST Award and Bronze LAMDA, played the drums, won the prestigious Greenman speaking competition and taken part in Model United Nations.
Leadership has been a constant throughout her time at Blackheath High. From serving as Head Girl in the Junior School and Form Captain throughout almost all of Senior School, to leading assemblies and supporting her peers, she credits the school with helping her develop the confidence and the voice to step forward and make a difference.
Ready for Sixth Form
Looking back on her time at Blackheath High so far, Matilda says some of her happiest memories include Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, hockey tours to Newcastle, netball trips to Condover and Disneyland, science practicals and PE and English lessons – all underpinned by spending time with her friends at break and lunchtime. She believes the opportunities she has been given have helped her develop confidence, resilience, teamwork and a strong work ethic.
With an eye on the future, she has completed work placements with the Metropolitan Police, local retailer Cheese at Turnpins and food campaigners School Food Matters.
She says: “I am really looking forward to so many different things about Sixth Form – studying subjects I am truly passionate about, having more independence and responsibility, and also to learning from really brilliant subject teachers.”
Millie
Millie joined Blackheath High in Year 7 from Gatehouse School after visiting for a Modern Foreign Languages event in Year 5. Inspired by the welcoming atmosphere and outstanding Languages department, she knew she had found the perfect place to nurture her love of languages.
Following an outstanding set of GCSE grades, Millie is excited to be moving into Blackheath High Sixth Form, where she plans to study Physics, Maths, French and German, alongside an EPQ. Looking further ahead, she hopes to combine her passions by studying Mechanical Engineering with German and French at university.
Beyond the classroom
Academic success has just been one part Millie’s Blackheath High story. A talented musician, she has been a member of Sinfonia, the Clara Schumann String Ensemble and Junior String Quartet since Year 7, and is currently working towards Grade 7 on both the violin and cello.
Alongside music, Millie has completed her Silver LAMDA Award and both Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, developing leadership, teamwork and resilience. She also credits opportunities such as the Greenman public speaking competition with helping her grow in confidence.
The spirit of adventure
One of the many gifts Blackheath High has given Millie is a love of travel and adventure. Among her favourite memories Geography fieldwork in Iceland and a Languages trip to Berlin. This summer, she is thrilled to be travelling to Nepal as part of a Blackheath High Global Action expedition with students from Norwich High School GDST. As well as trekking through Nepal’s breathtaking landscapes, students will work alongside local communities on a sustainability project to help improve access to clean drinking water.
Looking ahead to Sixth Form, Millie says: “I am really looking forward to this new chapter – Sixth Form is really different to the rest of the school, we get to be much more independent and organise our time ourselves. I am excited for the academic challenge too, and I feel like the school has prepared me really well for the move up – I had a Sixth Form taster day where I experienced a day as a BHS Sixth Former studying my chosen subjects, and we also got to speak in depth with the Head Student Team about Sixth Form life.”
