Kingsford’s Class of 2023 have secured some fantastic GCSE results once again, with pupils performing well in a range of subjects, despite the challenging climate faced by the post-pandemic generation across the nation.

The strength of the school’s international offer shone brightly in the school’s overall results, with outstanding results in many subjects. Pupils achieved particularly outstanding results in Mandarin, Music and Biology, with 100% of GCSE grades being a grade 5 and above in those subjects. These subjects were closely followed by others with a very high percentage securing grade 5 and above: Physics (98%), Chemistry (95.9%) and Business Studies (100% and 92.3% securing a grade 4 and above). These grades reflect Ofsted’s findings from the school’s latest inspection in October, which said that “pupils achieve well, are taught to be ambitious about their futures and are very well prepared to flourish in Modern Britain.”

A number of pupils took home an impressive collection of GCSE grade 8 and 9 scores, even though the vast majority of our top scorers are second language English speakers, performing well above first-language peers at many of the country’s best independent schools.

Pupils scoring almost all 9 and 8 grades, from left: Akshay Reddy G, Khadija L, Deluxshala R, Thadshayini T, Vanesa P, Marwa M, Nazmia N, Hana B, Ethan H, Musa B, Wai L, Mohammed A, Sneh B, Serena A, Andrea A.

“I can’t believe we did it! I will always be eternally grateful for the support that I’ve had from my excellent teachers and all those around me who’ve helped me on this journey. I would never have achieved this without them,” said Mohammed.

The cohort’s top performers, both in terms of attainment and progress, included participants in the school’s sixth-form scholarship programme, which identifies the school’s most talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and supports them to apply for fully funded bursaries at the country’s most prestigious independent schools.

Scholarship Aspiration Programme participants 2023 with Head Teacher, Joan Deslandes OBE: From left: Wai L, Andrea A, Musa B, Serena A, Sneh B, Daniel B, Marwa M and Nazmia N.

High scorers Sneh B and Wai L now go on to join fellow Kingsford alumni already having a positive impact at University College School in Hampstead. University College is a member of the Eton Group of twelve independent schools, well known for its established bursary programme and its international outreach work.

“I’m really proud of this achievement and can’t wait for what comes next. I’m so grateful to everyone who’s made it possible”, said Sneh, who scored seven GCSE grade 9s, and three grade 8s.

Former senior prefects Daniel B and Marwa, and having impressed a demanding selection panel, now take up scholarships at the prestigious Wellington College in Berkshire. The public school has previously won accolades such as “the most forward-thinking school in the UK”, and the “Best Senior School in Britain.”

Musa B’s collection of impressive grades now take him to the well-renowned boarding school Winchester College in Hampshire, where current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Oscar winning actor Colin Firth studied.

Joan Deslandes, Head Teacher, stated “I am so proud of the achievements of every single one of our pupils. I know that as they open their GCSE result envelopes today, they are opening the door to the brilliant futures that await them in their further education and beyond. I congratulate every member of our Year 11 cohort for their commitment to their studies and hard work, and look forward to hearing of the further success that await them.”

All Kingsford pupils must be commended for securing such excellent achievements, as must the talented body of staff that supported and encouraged them throughout their Kingsford journey.