Highgate GCSE Results 2025
Highgate’s Year 11 pupils have ended their summer break on a high note by securing exceptional GCSE exam results.
Following weeks of revision, sitting exams, doing oral presentations, creating artwork, rehearsing for drama and musical performances, the pupils’ hard work has paid off with many of them exceeding their predictions. 179 pupils took the exams: 95.5% were awarded grades 7, 8, or 9; 84.3% were awarded grades 8 or 9, and 57.3% received the highest grade 9.
Congratulating the Class of 2025, Highgate’s Head, Adam Pettitt, said: '
I couldn’t be more pleased for or proud of our Year 11 pupils. They have always been a hard-working, conscientious group who take their learning seriously, have pushed themselves and have journeyed well to (and beyond) these GCSEs. It’s a great achievement when their many qualities shine through in exams – well done!'
Pupils who came to collect their results in person from the school library looked relieved to share their good news with teachers and peers, including Aadit:
'I’m happy with my results: the hard work paid off and the teachers really guided me with what to focus on for the revision. My favourite subjects are Maths, Sciences and Computer Science which I’m now going to continue at Highgate for my A levels. Getting to go deeper into these subjects and learning independently will be more enjoyable in the Sixth Form.'
Senior Deputy Head, Louise Shelley, was at school to welcome pupils:
'It’s been terrific seeing the pupils opening their envelopes and celebrating their superb achievements with their friends: whilst many opt to get their results online, for those who come in, the air of tension followed by excitement is a genuine privilege to behold. Although today is about exam result, it’s about so much more: it’s a reminder of the value of friendship, of industrious endeavour and of self-belief. I am confident that the pupils will look forward with energy and optimism as they embark upon the next stage of their academic journey – congratulations, Y11!'
Darts has been a pupil at Highgate since Year 5:
'I was surprised by my result in Music which was better than my mock exam. I’m now staying at Highgate to do A level French, Maths, Economics and Geography and I’ll carry on playing piano as a hobby in the co-curricular music clubs. I’m mostly looking forward to doing the subjects that I like with interesting assignments.'
Senior School pupils study a minimum of 10 GCSE exams, with pupil choice and academic opportunities at the heart of our curriculum. Pupil Phoebe explains more about subject options:
'Highgate’s curriculum means you have a mix of subjects and because I enjoy humanities I’ve chosen A levels in Philosophy, Drama, English Literature and History. With Drama I take part in school performances and it was nice to be part of that as a release from intense lessons and mock exams. I’ve just got a part in the school musical which I’ll look forward to being in as a Sixth Former! I’m also looking forward to being more independent and being able to focus on what I want to learn, instead of what I need to learn.'
Head of Middle School, Jonathan Pearson, praised the pupils’ determination:
'It’s a real pleasure to see our pupils’ hard work paying off with these wonderful results. This feeling of pride is not only shared by the teachers who have helped them through their studies, but with their families for working in tandem to support and encourage them at home. These exams are tough, and I hope pupils will reflect that they successfully navigated these high stakes which will benefit them long after these results have been superseded! No doubt their diligence and maturity will stand them in excellent stead for Sixth Form studies.'
Caterina came in with her Mum and sister for moral support:
'My favourite subjects have been Maths because of the analytics as it comes quite naturally to me, and in contrast I enjoy Philosophy because it’s more about thinking. I’m choosing my A levels in Art, Theology and Philosophy, Spanish and Maths and hope that might lead to philosophy or languages at university with a Law conversion.'
The majority of Year 11 pupils will now join Year 12 of Highgate Sixth Form to embark on four A level subjects, which allows and encourages a critical breadth of study. The 2025 A levels saw pupils achieve 79% of their grades at A* or A, with 93% securing their first or insurance choice of university.
James Newton, Deputy Head (Academic) comments on the Sixth Form pathways:
'I love seeing the diversity of our pupils’ interests, especially as they enter the Sixth Form and aren’t scared to take unusual combinations of subjects. Our pupils continue to buck national trends in their A level choices, and we have multiple Sixth Form classes in modern languages and English literature from September as a result. The breadth of pupils’ interests reflects the interests of our teachers who celebrate the unexpected and enriching connections between their disciplines.'
August 2025