GCSE Success Stories 2025
Luke Embraces Feedback to Achieve Top Grade Success
With a clean sweep of top grade 9s across ten subjects, Luke was surprisingly calm and collected. “Today has been amazing and completely unexpected – I am super happy with my results. I am most proud of my business result as I had never achieved a nine before and I worked really hard for it!”
Moving into Sixth Form to study maths, psychology, politics and philosophy & theology Luke is looking forward to the freedom of choice, more independence and less individual constraints.
Luke joined Caterham in Year 7 from St Michael’s Prep School, Otford and embraced lots of co-curricular clubs to support his studies. He said “One of the highlights of my time at Caterham so far has been taking part in the MACE debate this year with the debating team, we worked as a group of three and it was really interesting to hear other people’s perspectives.”
Whilst Luke was quick to thank all his teachers, he gives a special mention: “Mrs Bullard helped me apply to the John Locke Institute. It was a competitive application process to get a place at their Summer School with interviews. Whilst I was there, I attended lots of lectures by university lecturers including those from Oxford and Cambridge that really challenged my opinions. I learn a lot more about politics and philosophy so it certainly influenced my A Level choices and has really given me a head start.”
What advice has been key to Luke’s success? Thoughtfully he shared: “When I was younger I would take feedback negatively, but I gradually developed to take all feedback on board, to learn from my mistakes and better myself.”
Super Grade Summer for Siblings
It’s been a summer of exams for three siblings from one family who sat a total of 55 exams between them! Twins Josh and Abi collected their GCSE results today, hot on the heels of older sibling Isabelle whose A Level results last week secured her place at Oxford University.
Josh said “I did sleep last night although I was a bit nervous, and I’m very happy this morning. My envelope contained nine grade 9s and two grade 8s.”
Josh’s fantastic results see him head into Caterham Sixth Form focused on his preferred subjects: “Physics is my favourite subject so I’m looking forward to doing that at A Level, but also maths, chemistry, further maths and Latin, and luckily I got grade 9s in all of those which is good.”
Josh has been involved in a wealth of activities outside of the classroom at Caterham: “The Combined Cadet Force is a big part of my time at school. Also Astronomy Club which is great with my love of physics. I do a ton of music and play Saxophone and Violin which I like. I’ve taken part in a lot of concerts, and the particular highlight so far was performing at the London concert at St John’s Waterloo.”
“Celebrating my results, I have to thank my parents who have always been there helping me. My teachers too.”
With smiles of relief and celebration Abi said: “It was a bit stressful leading up to results days with three of us waiting for news, but we cheer each other on. I got nine grade 9s and two grade 8s.”
“I’m going to be doing philosophy and theology, psychology. Spanish and biology at A Level here in September.”
A keen musician Abi loves being part of the music community at Caterham: “I really enjoy playing my instruments. I play the ‘cello and the oboe and went on a Choir tour to France. We’ve got an orchestra trip coming up this year too. I find it so much fun, and playing together in the orchestras and groups means we’ve got a real community.”
Abi added: “I’ve also made the most of the academic enrichment clubs and the Scholars Society to deep dive into subjects. I’m looking forward to joining Astronomy Club in Sixth Form too.”
Abi, along with Josh, moved to Caterham from Reigate Parish School and was keen to pay tribute to everyone who has helped her along the way: “I’d like to thank my parents, of course, my teachers and friends who all helped me get to today.”
11 Grade 9s for High Flyer Liam
Looking forward to a nice dinner and a good night sleep tonight, Liam certainly deserves it after bringing home 11 top grade 9s in his results this morning!: “I’ve had some sleepless nights and was feeling very nervous when I woke up, I’m just really happy to receive the results I wanted this morning” he said.
Going on to study maths, geography, physics and chemistry for A Level, Liam said ”I am most proud of my further maths and English results as they were difficult. I’m really looking forward to studying the subjects that I most enjoy in Sixth Form”
Since joining Caterham in Year 7 from Micklefield, Liam has enjoyed taking part in the wide sports offer here as well as extending his love of science with all the enrichment clubs. “I have particularly enjoyed Astronomy Club and Aviation Club” he said.
“I would like to thank my parents, friends and all my teachers who have helped me get to where I am today, I am really looking forward to the next two years and what lies beyond!”
Sebastian on Cloud 9 With Full Set Of Top Grades
Sebastian was on cloud 9 after receiving a full set of top grade 9s across all 10 subjects.
“I didn’t think I’d have done this well, I’m a bit shocked really, happy shocked! I honestly didn’t think I’d done this well. I think mum and dad are a bit shocked too. It’s amazing”
Sebastian’s achievements are all the more remarkable given that he was diagnosed with Glandular Fever just one week before GCSE exams begun, and continued to sit all his exams whilst poorly.
Sebastian’s full sweep of top grades will see him concentrate on his favourite subjects at A Level History: Politics, Economics and French. His current ambition is to read History at university.
A star on the sports field as well as in the classroom, Sebastian has pursued his love of rugby at Caterham and has been part of the Caterham Athlete Programme which supports elite and scholarship sports men and women.
Moving up from The Hawthorns School at 13+, Sebastian soon felt at home “ I settled straight away, it felt like home from the beginning. I’d like to give huge thanks to my teachers, especially Mr Hosking my History teacher, and my parents of course.”
England Hockey International Rory Scores Top Results
International sportsman Rory has had a busy summer sitting exams, securing a string of top GCSE grades and representing his country as part of England Hockey.
“I woke up this morning, very nervous but hugely relieved and happy on getting great GCSE results with grades at 9, 8s and 7s. I have just represented the England U16s in the Netherlands for an Eight Nations Tournament and have just been nominated for an England U18 assessment which takes place at the end of the month.”
Reflecting on the skills that have supported his growing international hockey career and academic success, Rory said: The resilience you need to succeed is very similar: always train, always revise and give it 100% hard work. That way you get results.”
Rory joined Caterham in the Prep School and has spent the last 13 years at the school: “I’ve enjoyed it the whole way through from Nursery to Fifth Year and it’s really great to see these results today.”
Caterham and Hockey are both in the blood for Rory as one of three siblings to attend the school – older sister Mai is now at Medical School and older brother Zac a double Olympian as part of the GB Hockey team.
No looking back for Isabella!
Today brought an amazing set of GCSE results for Isabella with nine top grade 9s and just one 8! “Today has been overwhelming, I’m so happy, it’s a complete surprise! I wasn’t expecting a 9 in maths – I’m delighted!” she said.
A former CLIO History prize winner, it is no surprise that History A Level is top of Isabella’s list to study moving into Sixth Form along with psychology, English and Latin. “Although all my teachers have brilliant and supportive, a big thanks to Dr Garber for history and Mr Waite for Latin, both passionate about their subjects!”
Joining Caterham from Sevenoaks Prep in Year 7, Isabella said “All the way through my time here I have enjoyed the friendships I have made and the teaching staff have been amazing, I am looking forward to that continuing with the added independence and responsibility that the next two years bring”
Connie Heads to the Stage with Top Results
Superstar Connie is heading to the London stage this weekend with a string of nine grade 9s and a grade 8 to boost her performance. She said: “I did sleep last night but was kind of a bit scared this morning! I was not expecting these results – the envelope contained a lot of 9s!”
“I’ve literally got a drama rehearsal for our Camden Fringe production straight away now with the drama department, which has been really good as I had another focus besides exam results too! Our show is on this Saturday and Sunday at the Hen and Chickens Theatre, Camden as part of the festival.”
In addition to gaining top academic results, Connie has immersed herself in the arts at Caterham and won a national RSC competition which saw her perform at the Globe Theatre in London.
Stepping up to the Sixth Form in September, Connie said “I’m looking forward to doing the subjects I love in Sixth Form here. Beyond that, I’m looking to start playwriting, university and then maybe drama school.”
Connie joined Caterham from Lingfield Primary School into the First Year: “I am part of the Covid generation, and I think Caterham did an amazing job of helping us. We had amazing support from the beginning and I’m really happy with my experience here. I’m looking forward to Sixth Form next!”
Reflecting on today’s good news, Connie said: “I’d like to thank my parents and teachers, especially my maths teachers! Maths has never been my favourite subject, but I’ve managed to get an 8 so I definitely need to thank my teachers for their support and help!”
CCF Cadet and Sportsman Orin Hits the Mark
Sportsman and CCF cadet Orin was in celebratory mood as he opened an envelope full of grade 9s, 8s and a 7. He said: “This morning has brought lots of happiness – I am really pleased with how I have done. I can now go on and do Spanish, Latin, politics and philosophy in the Sixth Form which is great and I am looking forward to diving into those subjects. I am celebrating by going to Reading Festival with friends later today.”
School life is busy for Orin who moved to Caterham from Reigate St Mary ‘s School: “I do a lot of hockey at school and play for Oxted Hockey Club. I am also involved with Combined Cadet Force and will keep that up as I move into the Sixth Form.”
With a clutch of top grades in the bag, Orin had sage advice for pupils moving up to the Fifth Year in September: “Embrace the hard work and the fun at school and you’ll engage in your lessons much better, and your success will come more naturally.”
He also paid tribute to those who have supported him to today’s success: “I’d like to thank my parents, my mum for taking me everywhere I need to be, and also my friends for helping me along the way.”
Hard Work Rewarded with Stellar Results for Francesca
With a clean sweep of grade 9s, Francesca was all smiles after a nervous wait for her results. “This morning has gone very well, far better than my expectations so I am really happy! I am most proud of maths as it is a subject that I didn’t find easy but I have worked really hard.”
Francesca started at the Prep School in nursery and looks ahead to continuing her Caterham journey in the Sixth Form. “It’s going to be great to meet new people joining in Sixth Form and I’m looking forward to focusing on new subjects – economics, politics and psychology.”
A keen performer on stage, Francesca has taken key roles in school plays and musicals as well as being part of the orchestras and choirs. “I have also enjoyed contributing to Cat Among the Pigeons – the school’s arts and humanities magazine.”
“Thank you to my parents and to all my teachers who have helped and supported me to achieve these results today.”
