Ardingly’s Year 11 students are today celebrating achieving another outstanding set of GCSE results. In a year group of over 150 students, 70% of all exams were graded at the top 9-7 grades (the equivalent of the old A*- A); half of all exams were graded at 9-8 (the equivalent of the old A* grade); and our overall average grade achieved was also an A, at 7.15. (To put these results in context, nationally only 22% of grades achieved today were at 9-7.)
There are some wonderful individual success stories to celebrate and particular congratulations are due to the 37 students who achieved eight or more GCSEs all at the top grades of 9-8. We’re also delighted that these results mean that, yet again, we are able to offer every current Ardingly student a programme in our Sixth Form.
Most impressively, it looks like Ardingly will once again be in the top 1% of UK schools for “value add” at GCSE, with every student achieving on average more than one grade higher, per subject, than their baseline testing at entry predicted.
Ardingly’s incoming Head of College, Alastair Tighe, commented: “Many congratulations to all Ardingly’s Year 11 pupils on a fantastic set of GCSE results. As a new joiner to the College, I’m particularly impressed by two features of these great results. Firstly, the remarkably strong value add score which is a real testament to our pupils’ hard work, as well as the high quality of teaching at Ardingly. And secondly by the fact that I am told so many of these pupils have also contributed widely and excelled in a diverse range of activities outside the classroom. This speaks so strongly about what an Ardingly education is all about.”
Arabella Crook, Deputy Head Academic, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled with these results and am extremely proud of the whole Year 11 cohort. It’s fantastic to see that all their hard work has paid off so handsomely. We expect great things from this year group as they embark on their Sixth Form studies next term! Many thanks and congratulations also to our talented and caring team of staff who have done so much to support this year group.”
In terms of next steps, the College offers students a choice of studying a wide range of A-Level subjects or taking the IB Diploma, as well as the opportunity to mix A-Levels with a BTEC in Sports Science or Business. Earlier this summer, Ardingly’s Class of 2026 achieved outstanding A Level, BTEC and IB Diploma results, with the College yet again ranked in the top 10 schools in the country for the International Baccalaureate.
