Chiswick GCSE Candidates Thrive Despite Tougher Marking

Current year's cohort given no allowance for pandemic disruption

Chiswick School students celebrate their GCSE results

August 21, 2025

Year 11 pupils from across Chiswick have achieved exceptional results despite a tougher grading regime this year.

The current cohort saw their education disrupted by lockdown but have had to reach the same marking standards as year groups taking their GCSEs and vocational exams pre-Covid.

Chiswick School has reported a successful year for its Year 11 cohort of 240 students., 32% of all grades awarded were at Grade 7–9, with particularly high performance in Chemistry and Music, where one in four grades reached the top level of Grade 9.

The school noted that 80% of students achieved Grades 4–9 in English and Mathematics, significantly above the national average of approximately 60%. Staff attributed the results to sustained student effort and consistent teaching standards across departments.

Headteacher Laura Ellener said the results reflected the perseverance and maturity of students, as well as the commitment of staff. She described the outcomes as a collective achievement for the school community. Deputy Headteacher Graham McNamara added that a record number of students had met the entry requirements for the school’s Sixth Form, which also reported strong A Level and vocational results earlier this summer.

Chiswick School Headteacher Laura Ellener with a student

Chiswick School has gained recognition for supporting progression into Russell Group universities to which 45% of this year’s sixth formers gained admission. School leaders emphasised their ongoing commitment to fostering academic success alongside personal development in a supportive and inclusive environment.

The West London Free School (WLFS) has reported its strongest GCSE outcomes since opening, with significant year-on-year improvements across key performance indicators. Among the 133 pupils who sat exams this year, 63% of all grades were awarded at Grade 7–9, up from 51% in 2024. A quarter of all entries achieved the highest possible mark, Grade 9.

Additional metrics show that 87% of grades were at Grade 5–9, and 93% at Grade 4–9. The school’s Attainment 8 score rose to 6.8, compared with 6.4 the previous year. In core subjects, 90% of students achieved a pass in both English and Mathematics, while 79% met the requirements for the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), a marked increase from 63% in 2024.

West London Free School students open their GCSE results

School leaders attributed the results to sustained academic focus and support across the school community. They also highlighted outcomes for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, noting that average grades for this group were reported to be two levels above the national average.

WLFS continues to expand its Sixth Form provision, with many Year 11 students expected to continue their studies at the school. The results place the school among the highest-performing non-selective state schools nationally.

At St Benedict’s School in Ealing, pupils achieved the strongest set of GCSE results in recent history since the reintroduction of pre-pandemic grading standards. Nearly half of all grades awarded were 9 or 8, and 70% were at grades 9–7. The school attributed this performance to consistent student effort and dedicated teaching.

Among the top performers were Riona E and Krishan D, who achieved Grade 9s in all nine subjects. Dyran B, Maximus M, Susannah O’S, and Jack W secured full sets of Grade 9s and 8s, while Reilly H earned all top grades, including a perfect score of 220/220 in Geography. Krishan D said he was “really pleased” with his results and credited consistent work and teacher support. Fellow student Elias G expressed gratitude for the support of teachers and family and said he was excited for what comes next.

Pupils at St. Benedict's School show delight at their results

Deputy Head (Academic) Fiona Allen praised the students’ persistence and the staff’s guidance, describing the results as a testament to their commitment. Headmaster Joe Smith noted that the outcomes were the strongest recorded under standard grading and expressed pride in the cohort, many of whom will continue into the Sixth Form. Head of Year 11 Donal McKeown described the day as both a personal and collective celebration, marking the culmination of effort and enthusiasm and the gateway to the next stage of education.

For the borough of Hounslow 76% of students in achieved a pass rate of 4+ in Maths, compared with the national average of 72%. A further 82% of students achieved a pass rate of 4+ in English, compared to the national average of 71%.

Councillor Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet Member for Education, Children, Skills, and Employment at Hounslow Council, commented: “Congratulations to all those who have worked hard and shown great ability in their GCSEs. These results reflect the effort and determination of young people in the borough. I would also like to thank the teachers for working tirelessly to ensure that young people, including those with special educational needs, are given the correct environment to foster the skills and knowledge needed for a brighter future."

This year’s GCSE results, released across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, reflect a continued adjustment following the return to pre-pandemic grading standards. Nationally, the proportion of top grades (7/A and above) fell to 21.6%, down from 22.4% in 2023 and significantly lower than the 28.9% peak seen in 2021 when teacher-assessed grades were used. The overall pass rate (grades 4/C and above) also declined slightly to 66.4%, compared to 67.8% last year.

In London, students continued to outperform the national average, with inner London boroughs in particular seeing a higher proportions of top grades, with selective and high-performing comprehensives contributing to the trend.

The results come amid wider debates about the fairness and consistency of grading, especially for students who began their secondary education during lockdowns. Education leaders have noted that this year’s cohort faced unique challenges, having missed substantial classroom time in Years 7 and 8. Despite this, many schools reported resilience and progress, with some headteachers calling for renewed investment in catch-up programmes and mental health support.

The Department for Education has reiterated its commitment to maintaining grading standards, while acknowledging the need to support students through the transition.