RGS Newcastle celebrates record-breaking GCSE results
RGS Newcastle is celebrating a record-breaking year of GCSE results, with students achieving the school’s strongest overall performance in a generation and demonstrating the exceptional academic potential of young people in the North East.
RGS’s Year 11 students have achieved remarkable results, with:
- 94.8%1 grades 6-9 (equivalent to B-A*)
- 85.4% grades 7-9 (equivalent to A-A*)
- 68.8% grades 8-9 (equivalent to A*), and
- 43% at the highest possible grade 9.
The cohort of 149 students sat a total of 1519 exams. Thirteen of the students achieved a full set of grade 9s, 65 (43% of the year group) achieved straight 7-9 grades.
The results represent a particularly significant achievement in a school where academic attainment is already exceptionally high. They place RGS in the top 1% of schools nationally for ‘Value Added’ a powerful reflection of its enduring legacy of academic excellence.
The results also demonstrate strong performance across the entire cohort, with the school simultaneously stretching its highest achievers and supporting students at all levels of ability to achieve excellent grades. This breadth of success is particularly significant in a school already performing at such a high level, where further improvements become increasingly difficult to achieve.
- Girls continue to demonstrate they are stretched and challenged at RGS achieving 45.5% of grades at grade 9, 69.1% at grades 9-8, 87.5% at grades 9-7 and 96.1% at grades 9-6.
- Boys too performed exceptionally strongly, with 41.2% of grades at grade 9, 68.4% at grades 9-8, 83.7% at grades 9-7 and 93.7% at grades 9-6. The results demonstrate the consistently high performance of both groups and an encouraging narrowing of the attainment gap.
- The strength of the results is also evident among students receiving additional support, students with SEND achieved 43.8% grades 9, 63% grades 9-8 and 83.5% grades 9-7.
- Students in receipt of bursaries achieved 53.4% grades 9, 81.8% grades 9-8 and 96.6% grades 9-7, showing that academic potential is not determined by postcode.
- The results also offer a powerful reminder of the academic potential of young people in the North East.
At a time when there is considerable discussion about the educational and economic North-South divide, the achievements of this cohort demonstrate that geography should be no barrier to academic excellence.
These students have shown that young people in the North East can compete with the very best nationally, achieving results at a level that would be exceptional anywhere in the country.
Geoffrey Stanford, Head of RGS Newcastle, said: “At RGS Newcastle we are proud to be educating young people from across the North East who have the ambition and ability to achieve at the highest levels. We are working hard to ensure that opportunity is available to students from a wide range of backgrounds through our bursary provision and partnership programme.
“The record-breaking results are therefore more than an outstanding set of GCSE grades. They are a celebration of the ability, ambition, resilience and determination of young people in the North East, and a powerful demonstration that talent and academic potential are found everywhere.”
The school congratulates all of its Year 11 students on their outstanding achievements and thanks the teachers, support staff, parents and wider RGS community who have supported them throughout their GCSE journey.
Amidst the outstanding headline figures above, are numerous individual stories of perseverance, of students who have immersed themselves in their subjects in pursuit of their goals.
Abena O (Newcastle) – 11 x 9 grade GCSEs – RGS Sixth Form
Throughout her time at RGS Newcastle, Abena O has grown in confidence and developed her own voice within a supportive and welcoming school community.
Initially describing herself as quite shy in Year 7, Abena now reflects positively on how far she has come, crediting both her peers and teachers for helping her feel at home. “I’ve really enjoyed being here,” she said. “Everyone is so welcoming, and there’s always support if you need it.”
Studying GCSEs in German, French, Art and Geography alongside her core subjects, Abena has particularly enjoyed the practical nature of languages and geography, as well as the creativity of Art.
Beyond the classroom, she combined creativity with friendship as the founding member of the RGS Knitting Club, stepped outside her comfort zone through the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and took part in memorable trips, including her favourite, to Iceland.
Abena attributes her GCSE success,11 x 9 grade GCSEs, to the consistent support she received, particularly through lunchtime subject clinics and the encouragement of the Maths Department, which enabled her to grow in confidence and reach her full potential.
“There’s always a way to get help if you need it,” she said. “That really makes a difference.” She now looks forward to RGS Sixth Form, where she plans to continue studying subjects, she enjoys while keeping her future options open.
Bethan D (North Shields) – 2 x 9s, 6 x 8s, 1 x 7 & 1 x 6 grade GCSEs – RGS Sixth Form: Biology, Psychology and History
“Fun, supportive and always engaging” is how Bethan D, who joined us in Year 3 reflects on life at RGS after opening her results this morning and celebrating receiving 2 x 9s, 6 x 8s, 1 x 7 & 1 x 6 grade GCSEs.
Strong friendships and a deep sense of belonging at RGS have shaped her journey from Junior School to sitting her GCSEs.
Outside the classroom, Bethan has balanced her studies with her passion for surfing. Competing nationally from a young age, she placed 3rd at Nationals in Year 4 and was crowned Under-12 national champion in Year 7. More recently, she has competed internationally in Morocco. With upcoming events in France, Cornwall and Spain, she is excited for what lies ahead.
At Sixth Form, she will study Biology, Psychology and History – keeping her options open while also nurturing her interest in Marine Biology. She is looking forward to greater independence, new opportunities and continuing to pursue both her academic and sporting ambitions.
Lola C (Northumberland) – 11 x grade 9 GCSEs – RGS Sixth Form: Biology, Chemistry and Maths
Since Year 3, Lola C has balanced her love of sport with her love of learning. Today, she is celebrating receiving 11 x grade 9 GCSEs and starting Sixth Form in September.
A keen sportswoman, Lola has been a dedicated member of the school’s netball and hockey teams – and currently plays in goal on the RGS Hockey Second team. She credits sports as an important part of school life alongside her studies, “Sport really helps; it is very social and gives me the chance to switch off and have fun.”
Off the pitch, Lola is an avid musician, playing both the flute and piccolo in the RGS Orchestra. Her musical highlight of life at RGS is performing in the RGS 500 Choir and Orchestra Concert at The Glasshouse, the International Centre for Music.
Her involvement in RGS Med Society has further inspired Lola’s growing interest in science, shaping her choice of A-Levels as she plans to study Biology, Chemistry and Maths with ambitions of pursuing Medicine.
Fraser H (Whitley Bay) – 10 x 9 & 1 x 8 grade GCSEs – RGS Sixth Form: Maths, Chemistry and Physics
From flying with the RAF section of the CCF to receiving a prestigious engineering scholarship and playing cricket internationally, Fraser H’s RGS Newcastle journey has been defined by seizing opportunities.
Studying GCSEs in French, Computing, Design Engineering and Economics alongside the core subjects, Fraser has developed a strong interest in engineering and technology, building on passions formed earlier in Senior School.
This has been recognised through his recent success in securing the prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, which provides access to expert mentoring, industry connections and valuable guidance for future pathways.
Outside the classroom, Fraser has fully immersed himself in co-curricular life. As a member of the CCF (RAF section), he has taken to the skies, enjoying flying experiences including aerobatics. He also represents the school in cricket and tennis, with highlights including international tours to Dubai and Sri Lanka, where he had the opportunity to play in an international stadium.
He credits his family with playing a key role in his RGS journey. Inspired by his mum, a doctor and his father, an engineer, Fraser has been encouraged to explore a range of ambitions.
At school, he has particularly valued the support of staff: “All of my teachers have been brilliant, but Mr Lowe, Teacher of Engineering, Design and Technology, has been incredible. He has given up so much time to help us, especially with coursework. It makes a real difference knowing that support is there whenever you need it.”
Now he has received his GCSE results, 10 x 9 & 1 x 8 grade GCSEs, Fraser will join RGS Sixth Form, where he plans to study Maths, Chemistry and Physics, as he continues to explore future pathways in engineering or medicine.
Hyder R (North Shields) – 6 x 9s, 3 x 8s & 1 x 7 grade GCSEs – RGS Sixth Form: History, Politics and French
After receiving 6 x 9s, 3 x 8s & 1 x 7 grade GCSEs, Hyder R is set to study A-Level History, Politics and French at RGS Sixth Form to fulfil his ambitions to pursue international relations. As he explains, “I just want to be able to have a say and try to change things in the world for the better.”
A keen performer, Hyder has found a real sense of belonging within the RGS Performing Arts Department and enjoyed taking part in various productions. Outside of the Miller Theatre, he stepped outside his comfort zone by taking up climbing, embracing the challenge of learning a completely new sport.
Hyder credits his teachers, especially within the Physics Department, with helping to foster both his confidence and curiosity. “Mr Bellew, Teacher of Physics, has been brilliant. His lessons are really engaging and made me realise just how much I enjoy the subject,” Hyder said.
In September, he will join RGS Sixth Form, where he will continue to explore his interest in History, connecting the past to the present, alongside his long-standing passion for French as well as delve into his growing interest in Politics.
Sean B (North Tyneside) – 9 x 9 grade GCSEs – RGS Sixth Form: Ancient Greek, Computing, English and Physics
Having joined RGS Newcastle in Year 7, Sean B has embraced the opportunities available, developing his strengths while benefiting from the support of the school’s Learning Support Team, which has enabled him to thrive.
Studying a broad range of GCSEs, including German, Ancient Greek and Computing, subjects he chose to stretch and challenge himself academically. Outside of the classroom, he has been a regular member of the RGS Dungeons & Dragons club, where he has enjoyed connecting with like-minded peers.
Sean reflects positively on his time at RGS, highlighting the supportive environment that has helped him navigate challenges and focus on his strengths. “I chose A-Level subjects that I enjoy, and that keep my options open,” he said. “I like being challenged, and Ancient Greek has definitely been one of my favourite subjects.”
Following achieving 9 x 9 grade GCSEs, Sean is now looking forward to starting RGS Sixth Form, where he will study Ancient Greek, Computing, English and Physics, continuing to pursue his interests while keeping his future pathways open.
To find out more about RGS Newcastle’s exam results, visit www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/about-us/academic/exam-results
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