Exam Results

GCSE Progress

Progress 8 is a score that is calculated each year by the Department for Education (DfE), for every school, to summarise the progress that students of that school have made in their GCSEs. It is a type of value-added measure, which compares the results of our students to those of other pupils, of similar ability, nationally. Students at QEHS have consistently made better progress than students of a similar ability nationally. This year’s progress 8 scores for QEHS of 0.39 (calculated from internal data) indicate that students at QEHS make 0.39 of a grade’s worth of progress, in every subject, than students of similar ability in other schools.

 

GCSE RESULTS 2025

Headline figures

• 92% of students attained a grade 4 or above in both English and Maths
• 91% of students achieved five grade 4s or higher including English and Maths
• 92% of grades across all subjects were 4-9
• 83% of students attained at least five grades at 7-9
• 79% of students attained a grade 5 or above in both English and Maths
• 75% of students achieved five grade 5s or higher including English and Maths
• 73% of students have met the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) criteria
• 61% of students attained at least seven grades at 7-9
• 41% of all grades secured were 7-9
• 30% of students achieved an average of grade 7 or above
• Best ever Value-Added figure

Mr Eastham, Headteacher, said:

Once again, the academic rigour and challenge associated with successfully navigating the educational landscape has remained significant, and a notable increase to GCSE grade boundaries once again this year has been something in particular the Class of 2025 have needed to rise to. Despite, however, this bar being raised ever higher, our Year 11 students have been rewarded with an excellent set of results which are a reflection of the commitment and determination they have shown to their studies over the past two years. On behalf of all staff and governors associated with QEHS, very many congratulations upon your significant successes!

What with over 90% of results across all subjects being secured at grade 4 or higher and with over 40% of all grades secured between 7-9, students and teachers alike are rightly proud of what has been achieved. Indeed, with over 60% of students attaining at least seven grades at 7-9, this has resulted in the best Value Added figures the school has seen at Key Stage 4. A brilliant achievement which accurately reflects the progress made by youngsters at QEHS as they expertly combine purposeful and proactive study with extensive and energetic engagement in the broad range of leadership opportunities, clubs, sports, activities, trips and visits which make QEHS such a special place to learn, blossom and thrive.

These wonderful GCSE results represent an extremely solid foundation upon which students can now build and develop. As the vast majority now prepare to join QEHS’ Sixth Form to commence A Levels, all students are wished the very best for their next steps whether starting vocational courses at local colleges, moving elsewhere or beginning apprenticeships. The impressive record of academic achievement and personal development they take with them to post-16 studies is something they should be incredibly proud of.

My thanks and appreciation are similarly extended to the wonderful teaching staff here at QEHS who, year-on-year, work their magic to ensure students not only fulfil their potential but are driven on to exceed expectations. In this way, a shared sense of ambition ensures expectations are exceeded and inquisitivity is actively encouraged. Combined with the unswerving support of parents, this collegiate approach has once again been recognised through this summer’s impressive outcomes. Well done Team QEHS!

Very well done Year 11. Now go and celebrate!

Mr R Eastham

Headteacher

 

 

A LEVELS RESULTS 2025

Headline figures:

• Over a third of our students attained at least one A or A* grade
• A quarter of all grades secured were A* or A
• 11 students in the cohort achieved grades that were all either A or A* grades
• 40% of students achieved grades that were all of B or above
• Over half of the grades attained were between A* and B
• 77% of grades were between A* and C
• 96% of students completing the EPQ secured A* to C grades, with 87% attaining A*/A grades

Mr. Eastham, Headteacher, said:

All staff and members of the Governing Body at Queen Elizabeth’s High School would like to send their congratulations to our wonderful Year 13 students who have secured a mightily impressive set of A Level outcomes this summer.

Building on the examination successes associated with the previous academic year which saw QEHS identified in ‘The Sunday Times Parent Power Survey’ as the third best co-educational school in the East Midlands and ranked 275th nationally, the outcomes associated with the Year 13 Class of 2025 have been similarly striking. Despite the relentless rise of grade boundaries which makes it all the more challenging to hit the top grades, over half of all outcomes secured across the cohort have been A*-B grades, with a quarter of grades being A*-A grades. Richly deserved rewards, then, for everyone’s hard efforts and the relentless determination of these remarkable students to succeed.

This level of success is not only the consequence of the academic grit shown by the youngsters themselves but is also a consequence of the commitment shown by parents/guardians who offer crucial support and encouragement from home, which is quite simply invaluable. Also, the pivotal role played by the wonderful staff here at Queenies, colleagues who go the extra mile to craft and deliver engaging and purposeful lessons and who work so hard to make the post-16 learning experience here something truly special, can never be underestimated. Well done one and all! At QEHS we call this partnership between students, parents and teachers the ‘Golden Triangle of Success’, and to all who contribute, thank you for playing your part in facilitating such examination triumphs.

Whether Oxbridge bound, heading off to Russell Group universities, apprenticeships or taking gap years, the variety of ‘next steps’ in terms of courses, programmes of study and new life experiences is a genuine reflection of the calibre, character and credibility of this utterly unique group of young adults. With a record number of students being offered their first choices, the future continues to look incredibly bright for all associated with QEHS.

Mr R M Eastham

Headteacher

 

 

Oxbridge Success for QEHS Students

Everyone associated with QEHS is thrilled that the following students have secured prized places to study at Oxford or Cambridge in light of their outstanding A Level examination results: Eboney A - History at Cambridge, Tom B-R - Biology at Oxford, Jonah B - History at Cambridge, Noah S - Geography at Oxford.

This represents a 100% success rate for our Oxbridge applicants. A brilliant achievement. Many congratulations to all four.

 

GCSE RESULTS 2024

Headline figures

• 95% of students attained a grade 4 or above in both English and Maths
• 92% of students achieved five grade 4s or higher including English and Maths
• 92% of grades across all subjects were 4-9
• 84% of students attained a grade 5 or above in in both English and Maths
• 76% of students achieved five grade 5s or higher including English and Maths
• 61% of students attained at least five grades at 7-9
• 40% of all grades secured were 7-9
• 27% of students achieved an average of grade 7 or above

Mr. Eastham, Headteacher, said:

The learning journey and the educational landscape this particular cohort has had to navigate has been notably atypical. What with lockdown learning from home in Year 7 and bubble classrooms in Year 8, the route to success has not been easy. Therefore, the staff and governors of QEHS are all the more thrilled with what this wonderful group of youngsters has achieved with their GCSE outcomes this summer.
Great play has been made of the return to pre-COVID levels of assessment, and the firmer grade boundaries to ensure greater alignment with those from 2019 have certainly come into force as promised. Pleasingly, then, the hard work, commitment, dedication and camaraderie of the Class of 2024 has combined to generate an impressive array of examination successes.

92% of results across all subjects studied were grade 4 or higher whilst 40% of all grades secured were between 7-9. Indeed, nearly a third of the students averaged a grade 7, 8 or 9 which is a stunning achievement and helped to generate positive Progress 8 once again. Therefore, despite the more challenging grade boundaries applied by exam boards across all subjects this year, our Year 11 students have once again performed incredibly well, demonstrating the genuine progress being made across the broad curriculum offered here at QEHS.

Behind the figures there is of course the most important element to examination success – the students themselves. One phenomenal individual can boast a clean sweep of grade 9s across all their subjects, with a further 15 presenting nothing below a grade 7. At all levels of achievement, it is clear that this year group has applied themselves to the rigours of study and have reaped the rewards. This comes as no surprise because the cohort is a tight-knit and mutually supportive bunch who have seen each other through some particularly challenging times. The stoicism shown by Year 11 has, quite simply, been remarkable. These students represent and should be celebrated as the very best of the youth of today.

Here at QEHS we strive at all times to offer an outstanding education and to be the destination of choice for academic excellence. This is achieved by providing an environment in which students are academically challenged, well cared for, and are afforded access to a broad range of fulfilling and enriching co-curricular activities. This can only be the case when there are high levels of collegiality between students, staff and parents. My personal thanks, therefore, are extended to all colleagues and families for the guidance and support you have offered our students.

Ahead of the excitement of commencing post-16 studies, now is the time for everyone to celebrate what has been achieved again this summer. Very well done Year 11 and many congratulations!

Mr R Eastham

Headteacher

 

 

A LEVEL RESULTS 2024

Headline figures:

• 45% of our students attained at least one A or A* grade
• 28% of grades were A* or A
• 16 students in the cohort achieved grades that were all either A or A* grades, with two students securing all grades at A*, four students securing two A* and A grades and four students securing an A* and two A grades.
• 34% of students achieved grades that were all of B or above
• 56% of grades were between A* and B
• 79% of grades were between A* and C
• 91% of students completing the EPQ secured A* to C grades, with 77% attaining A*/A grades

Mr. Eastham, Headteacher, said:

On behalf of all colleagues and the Governing Body here at QEHS, I would like to congratulate our Year 13 students upon their fantastic A Level results. Very well done!

With the return to pre-COVID 2019 grade boundaries and the associated national academic landscape, QEHS is delighted to announce that our wonderful 2024 Year 13 cohort has maintained the excellent standards set over recent years with today's A Level results. Once again, over half of all outcomes secured were A*-B grades, while the number of top A*-A grades are equally impressive. We are particularly proud that the average A Level pass achieved by our students this summer has been grade B. These achievements bear testament to the academic prowess of this particular group of students.

This level of success is undoubtedly the result of Year13’s unwavering dedication to study and students' tireless efforts and commitment to hard work. In partnership with the invaluable contribution made by the exceptionally dedicated staff here at QEHS and the support of parents, the Class of 2024 really has made this another exam season worthy of celebration.

Results such as these have seen our students secure prized places at top universities, including two heading for Cambridge and six to medical school. Indeed, with the vast majority securing places at their first-choice university, the array of courses and subjects being pursued is remarkable. From Architecture to Zoology, from Music to Mathematics, Immunology to International Relations, and Costume Design to Comic & Concept Art, the academic routes being pursued are truly rich and varied, thus reflecting the incredible breadth and depth of interests amongst those who study at QEHS. Similarly, there have been great successes where students have secured places on much sought-after degree apprenticeships including, for example, Nuclear Engineering. Well done one and all! Everyone at QEHS wishes you the very best for the next steps of your exciting educational journeys.

Once again, very many congratulations!

Mr R M Eastham

Headteacher

 

 

GCSE RESULTS 2023

Headline figures

• 98% of students attained a grade 4 or above in both English and Maths
• 82% of students attained a grade 5 or above in both English and Maths
• 96% of students achieved five grade 4s or higher including English and Maths
• 96% of grades across all subjects were 4-9
• 47% of grades were 7-9
• 61% of students attained at least five grades at 7-9
• A quarter of students in the cohort achieved an average of a grade 8 or 9
• 41% of students achieved an average of grade 7 or above

Mr. Eastham, Headteacher, said:

Following on from the excellent A Level results attained by Year 13 last week, the staff and Governors of QEHS would like to congratulate our hard-working Year 11 students who have bucked the national squeeze on top GCSE grades this summer.
96% of results across all subjects were grade 4 or higher and just under half of all grades were between 7-9. Indeed, a quarter of the students averaged a grade 8 or grade 9 which is a stunning achievement and helped to generate positive Progress 8 once again. Therefore, despite the more challenging grade boundaries applied by exam boards across all subjects this year, the Class of 2023 has smashed pre-COVID statistics which demonstrates the progress being made across the broad curriculum offered here at QEHS.

The results data associated with this fantastic cohort’s GCSE achievements really does make impressive reading. 96% of students secured five grade 4s or higher including English and Maths, with 61% attaining at least five grades at 7-9 which means 41% of our youngsters achieved an average grade of 7 or above.

Behind the figures there is of course the most important element to examination success – the students themselves. Three phenomenal individuals can boast a clean sweep of grade 9s across all of their subjects, with a further 24 presenting nothing below a grade 7. At all levels of achievement, it is clear that this year group has applied themselves to the rigours of study and have reaped the rewards. This comes as no surprise because the cohort is a tight-knit and mutually supportive bunch who have seen each other through some challenging times. The camaraderie and stoicism shown by Year 11 this year has been nothing short of inspirational. These students represent and should be celebrated as the very best of the youth of today.

Here at QEHS we strive at all times to offer an outstanding education and to be the destination of choice for academic excellence. This is achieved by providing an environment in which students are academically challenged, well cared for, and are afforded access to a broad range of fulfilling and enriching co-curricular activities. This can only be the case when there are high levels of collegiality between students, staff and parents. My personal thanks, therefore, are extended to all colleagues and families for the guidance and support you have offered our students.

Ahead of looking forward to the new academic year and the excitement of post-16 studies, now is the time for everyone to celebrate what has been achieved again this summer. Very well done Year 11 and many congratulations!

Mr. R Eastham

Headteacher

 

 

A LEVELS 2023

The national press have reported that 73,000 fewer A*/A grades were awarded overall in comparison to 2022 and we have observed that the grade boundaries for this year’s A Level exams were markedly higher than last. In contrast, QEHS results at A Level are better than last year’s, when, within the national context, we might have expected the percentage of top grades to fall:

Headline figures:

• 48% of our students attained at least one A or A* grade
• 33% of grades were A* or A
• 25 students in the cohort achieved grades that were all either A or A* grades, with four students securing all grades at A*
• 46% of students achieved grades that were all of B or above
• 62% of grades were between A* and B
• 78% of grades were between A* and C
• 98% of students completing the EPQ secured A* to C grades, with 71% attaining A*/A grades
• Across the full cohort, the average grade for students was B

Mr. Eastham, Headteacher, said:

On behalf of all colleagues and the Governing Body here at QEHS, I would like to congratulate our Year 13 students upon their fantastic A Level results. Very well done!

In the face of the promised ‘firming up’ of grade boundaries by examination boards and despite the government’s declared intention to tackle grade inflation and to bring national exam results back in line with pre-pandemic figures, QEHS is thrilled to have maintained the high levels of success secured last academic year with the A Level outcomes achieved today by our fantastic 2023 Year 13 cohort. A*-B grades are, again, incredibly impressive, whilst the tally of top A*-A grades is the best the school has seen in externally assessed public examinations since 2014. This all means that the average A Level grade achieved by students this summer at QEHS stands at ‘B’ which is deeply encouraging and just reward for their sustained academic endeavours.

It should be remembered that these students had not previously experienced public examinations, being the cohort that received Teacher Assessed Grades for their GCSEs two years ago. It is all the more remarkable therefore that the A Level results our Year 13 students have achieved this summer are so impressive. Quite simply, this level of success is down to the students’ hard work and the commitment they have shown to their studies. When combined with the utter dedication of the wonderful staff here at QEHS and the ongoing and significant support of parents, this really has been a team effort and another exam season to celebrate.

Results such as these have seen our students secure prized places at top universities, including two heading for Cambridge and another to Oxford, where they will go on to study a wide range of subjects and disciplines including dentistry, medicine, and law. Indeed, 60% of our students received an instant offer of a place at their first choice university, rising to 71% when accepted insurance places are added. Students have similarly been successful in securing much sought after degree apprenticeships. My sincere appreciation, therefore, is warmly extended to all colleagues and the wider QEHS community for the significant part they have played in helping to attain such positive post-18 outcomes for all concerned.

At QEHS we pride ourselves in providing all students with a holistic and enriching educational experience to ensure they leave us as well-rounded, highly capable and confident young people. This is achieved by providing an environment in which students are academically challenged, well cared for, and are afforded access to a broad range of fulfilling and enriching co-curricular activities. As our Year 13 students begin the next steps of their educational journeys, everyone here at QEHS wishes them the very best for their futures, much on-going success and happiness.
Once again, very many congratulations!

Mr. R M Eastham

Headteacher