AS IT HAPPENED: GCSE results day in Maidenhead, Windsor and Slough

Staff reporting team

08:19AM, Thursday 21 August 2025

LIVE: GCSE results day in Maidenhead, Windsor and Slough

GCSE students pictured at Newlands Girls' School this morning

Students will be finding out today if their hard work has paid off as they pick up their GCSE results.

We'll be bringing live coverage and photographs from across East Berkshire and South Bucks where pupils will hopefully be jumping for joy.

For those who forget:

Grade 9 is the highest possible grade and is equivalent to higher than an A*, in old money. Grade 8: Equivalent to between grades A* and A. Grade 7: Equivalent to a grade A. Grade 6: Equivalent to just above a grade B. Grade 4: Equivalent to a C grade, known as a standard pass.

E-ACT Bourne End Academy: The number of students achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths increased this year.

The Bourne End school also said it also saw an improvement in itsAttainment 8 score, which is a performance indicator that measures the average achievement of students at the school.

Natalie King, who is taking over the role of headteacher in September, said: “Today’s GCSE results are a testament to the determination and resilience of our students at Bourne End Academy.

“We are incredibly proud of the way they’ve grown both academically and personally.” 

Windsor Forest Colleges: Group vice principal Karen Griffiths congratulated Level 2 students and is ‘excited’ to see their next steps.

She said: “Our Level 2 students have done fantastically well this year and are celebrating some excellent GCSE and Level 2 results that will serve them well as they move on to further study and exciting careers.

“We are proud of their achievements and excited to see what the future holds for them.”

Windsor Girls' School: The school is ‘very proud’ of its students and what they have achieved, the headteacher said.

Overall, 62 per cent of the grades were 4 and above, and 43 per cent were 5 and above in English and maths.

Student Darcey George achieved seven grade 9s, two grade 8s and one grade 7, while Tallulah Hughes received two grade 7s, four grade 6s, one grade 5, two grade 4s and a distinction*.

Madeline Lewis achieved one grade 9, five grade 8s, two grade 7s and a grade 6.

Headteacher Ben Garner, said: “As a school community, we are proud of our young people and what they have achieved.” 

Windsor Boys' School: A ‘strong set’ of GCSE results were achieved with headline figures showing ‘an improvement yet again’ on last year’s results.

The results saw 71 per cent of students achieve grades 4 to 9 in both English and maths, with 53 per cent receiving a strong pass at grade 5 or above in both subjects.

A ‘significant number of students’ achieved ‘outstanding results’, including Alex Calver who received seven 9s, one 8 and one 7 and Krishan Patel got two 8s, six 7s and two 6s.

Headteacher Sean Furness, said: “These headline figures represent a real success for the students, who worked incredibly hard to achieve them.” 

Furze Platt Senior School: A ‘huge’ congratulations has been extended to those who collected GCSE and vocational results, as ‘hard work, ambition, and excellence’ have shown in this year’s grades.

Student Pablo Cruz-Domenzain said he was ‘quite happy’ to have received 7s and above and will be staying on to study subjects including economics, maths and Spanish.

Noah Moss was also ‘very pleased’ to receive nine 9s, two 8s and an 8 in Level 2 Further Mathematics, and will study chemistry, biology, maths and further maths at sixth form.

Dr Andrew Morrison added: “I am delighted that so many FPSS students are receiving fantastic grades today.” 

Furze Platt's headteacher Dr Andrew Morrison was praising the year 11 cohort, stating that the school had seen 'so many fantastic results from students'. 

Over at Furze Platt, Noah Moss was celebrating after achieving nine 9s, two 8s and an 8 in Level 2 Further Mathematics!

The GCSE grade statistics for Desborough College this year were:

Baylis Court School: Principal Christine MacInnes said the school is ‘delighted’ to celebrate the successes of the GCSE students.

Overall, 82 per cent of students achieved grades 9-5 in English and Spanish, while 78 per cent achieved grades 9-4 in maths.

66 per cent of students studying Spanish achieved grades 9-7.

Ms MacInnes added: “We are delighted to celebrate and share the success of our wonderful Year 11 pupils.

“We are incredibly proud of the commitment to their studies and the resilience they have shown throughout their GCSE courses.

“For individual pupils there are a wide range of success stories.”

Desborough College: Principal Andy Murdoch said this year’s results have been ‘better across a range of different measures’ and science has had a ‘fantastic year’.

Overall, 68 per cent of the grades achieved were 9-4, while 17 per cent were 9-7 and 97 per cent were 9-1.

Students Stanley Wilcockson, Jason Andrei and Charlie Mcmahon were celebrating their results.

George Dartnell said he was ‘surprised’ and ‘very happy’ with his results, having gone from receiving a 3 in history in his November mocks to achieving a 9.

Mr Murdoch added: “[The students have] done superbly well. We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved.” 

Desborough student's celebrating their results earlier today!

Reading Blue Coat School: Students are being congratulated on an ‘exceptional’ set of GCSE results, ‘reflecting their hard work, resilience and commitment’.

In total, 82 per cent of all entries were awarded a grade 7 or higher, including 61 per cent achieving top grades of 8 or 9.

94 per cent of the results were grade 6 or above, while 31 per cent achieved a grade 9.

Eight students at the school received 10 grade 9s or more.

Headmaster Pete Thomas, said: “It’s always a great pleasure to see young people enjoying the fruits of their hard work, and I’m thrilled that this year group has so much to celebrate.

Desborough's principal Andy Murdoch was praising students efforts as they picked up their GCSE results this morning. 

Over at Desborough College, student George Dartnell was sharing his results and future plans!

Newlands Girls' School: An ‘impressive’ 87 per cent of Year 11s received grades 9-4 this year, while 37 per cent were grade 9-7 in this year’s ‘fantastic set of GCSE results’.

Headteacher Jo Capon is ‘incredibly proud’ and said it was a pleasure to welcome students back to school on Thursday morning and ‘share in the celebrations of their hard work and success’.

”Our Year 11 cohort has consistently demonstrated maturity, leadership, and determination throughout their GCSE journey, and today's results are a fitting reward for their efforts,” she added.

“These results reflect the extraordinary dedication and resilience of our students, supported by the tireless efforts of our staff and the unwavering encouragement from parents, carers, and families.”

Roshaan McIntyre, Sara Zahir and Fahtima Ali opening their results at Newlands Girls' School this morning.

The Marist School: There were celebrations all round on GCSE Results Day at The Marist School, where 70 per cent of students achieved grade 9.

With a strong focus on STEM at The Marist, more than 80 per cent of grades were 9-7 in Biology, Chemistry Physics, and Further Maths and more than 70 per cent of pupils have chosen at least one STEM subject at A Level.

With 64 per cent of grades higher than nationally standardised targets, this is ‘testament to students’ ambitious work ethic’, said Jo Smith, the Principal.

Burnham Grammar School: Nearly 180 pupils packed into the school to find out if their hard work had paid off.

‘Exceptional’ students equalled the school’s best results; with more than thirty per cent of all GCSEs a grade 8 or 9, and nearly 80 per cent a grade 6 to 9.

Headteacher Andy Gillespie said: “This is the year group where COVID and lockdown had the most dramatic impact on their transition to secondary school.

“Given their history, to have equalled our best ever GCSE results is exceptional and students, parents and staff should all be incredibly proud.”

Burnham Grammar School students Gloria Omotayo, Olivia Prescott and Victoria Omotayo.

Cox Green School: Headteacher Danny Edwards is ‘exceptionally proud’ of those who started secondary school during the pandemic and ‘faced challenges no other year group before them had experienced’.

“Together, they showed resilience and worked incredibly hard, achieving both academic accomplishments and exceptional personal achievements today,” he added.

“It has been wonderful to see so many students thrilled with their results today and witness their surprise and delight as they opened their papers.”

The cohort achieved ‘brilliant’ results in English Language and Maths, and the school received the highest number of Sixth Form applications from returning Year 11 students.

A special mention was given to Jessica Porter, Toby Smith, Callum Keoghan and Noemi Mistur for each achieving Grade 9 and 8 in up to nine subjects.

Pioneer Secondary Academy, in Stoke Poges has 'surpassed its record' for the second consecutive year, continuing an upward trajectory since opening in 2022.

This year, the school saw more top grade 9-7s than ever before.

Special recognition this year goes to Harjaap, who achieved a set of grade 8s and 9s, and Aryanshi, who secured four grade 9s and four grade 8s. Many more pupils met or exceeded their targets, showing real grit and determination right to the finish line.

Headteacher, Mr Shilain Keshani, said: “We are proud to compete with local grammar schools and play our part in raising standards across the area. Our students have shown tremendous resolve and fully deserve the fruits of their hard work. I am equally grateful to our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment to our children and families. Better never stops for us.”

Aryanshi

Harjaap

Our photographers have been out and about visiting schools across the area. Here's a few of their snaps...

High fives were in order for Maia Ibrahim and Gargi Tople at Windsor Girls' School

Furze Platt Senior School headteacher Dr Andrew Morrison with GCSE student Aaron Hitschmann

Students at Newlands Girls' School were all smiles as they picked up their results.

Altwood School: Many students achieved or exceeded their targets as the school celebrated the ‘excellent achievement’ of the year 11 cohort.

More than 86 per cent of students achieved a grade four plus.

Zaryab and Jess secured 14 grade 9s between them, while Lucy, Monty, Bali, Will and Uzuri also secured ‘stunning results’.

Headteacher Cath Harden, said: “It is so pleasing to see the commitment and resilience of our students pay off as they have been rewarded with such excellent results.

“We look forward to welcoming back record numbers into our sixth form in September and, for those moving onto new opportunities, we wish them the very best of luck.

“I would also like to thank our families, who are an integral part of the Altwood community and our dedicated staff who, as always, went above and beyond to support all our students.”

The Piggott School, Wargrave: The results achieved at The Piggott School are the best in the school’s history, with an Attainment 8 score of 62 which is ‘well above the national average’.

Headteacher Rebecca Alexander said: “We are excited that many of our students have chosen to return to study in our sixth form this September.

"It will be a privilege to support them in their continued learning journey and we are looking forward to seeing what they can achieve on an A Level or Level 3 Vocational pathway.

“My thanks to the staff, students and their families for their continued support.

“Congratulations to all our students on their well-deserved success.”

A 90 per cent pass rate (9-4) was seen across all entries, and 43 per cent of all entries were awarded the highest attainment threshold of 7 or above.

93 per cent of students passed English, 93 per cent passed Mathematics, and 88 per cent passed at least two sciences at Level 4 or above.

Exceptional results were achieved in most qualifications, with a significant number of subjects attaining an excellent pass rate of over 90 per cent. 18 subjects achieved over 90 per cent at 9-4, and 7 subjects excelled with 100 per cent at 9-4.

Still at St Joseph's, Sam spoke to student Vince Lacsamana who scored top marks in his 10 GCSEs. The framing of this photo also suggests he could be the tallest person in Slough!

Reporter Sam Leech spoke to headteacher Ciran Stapleton at a windy St Joseph's Catholic High School, Slough, this morning (featuring an appearance from a statue of St Joseph!)

Newlands Girls' School headteacher Jo Capon said there was a real buzz at the school this morning as students picked up their grades after two years of hard work.

Herschel Grammar School, Slough: ‘Exceptional commitment and resilience’ were some of the qualities shown by GCSE students.

Half of the grades achieved were either 8 or 9 – the top grades possible.

Nearly three quarters, 73 per cent, of grades were 7 to 9 while 96 per cent of grades were 5 or above.

Headteacher Jo Rockall said: “These results reflect the dedication of our talented staff, the unwavering support from families, and the hard work of our students.

“We are incredibly proud of every individual’s achievement and look forward to seeing them thrive in the next stage of their journey.”

Burnham Grammar School high flyer Ben Stimpson is hoping his results will set him on the path to a future career in the RAF

Upton Court Grammar School, Slough: A landmark set of results saw this year’s GCSE cohort secure a place in the history books.

The Lascelles Road school, part of Pioneer Educational Trust, revealed that 62 per cent of grades were either 8 or 9.

In total, 82 per cent of grades were recorded at 7-9, the equivalent of A to A*.

Headteacher Oliver King said: “Today all at Upton Court Grammar School are celebrating an outstanding set of GCSE results – the best in our school’s history.

These results, which continue to rise year on year, are a testament to the remarkable commitment, resilience and determination shown by our students.”

He added: “I am extremely grateful to our dedicated staff, whose expertise and care have guided our students every step of the way.

“I also wish to thank our governors for their steadfast support, and our families who have all worked in partnership with us to ensure our young people receive the very best education.”

Reporter Jade Kidd dropped in at Furze Platt Senior School this morning. All the hard work paid off for 16-year-old Pablo Cruz-Domenzain who achieved an impressive set of scores. Well done Pablo!

Cox Green School headteacher Danny Edwards has been speaking to the Advertiser about his school's performance.

First voice out there today is Furze Platt, whose pupils are up bright and early for their results.

Dr Morrison, Headteacher, said: “I am delighted that so many FPSS students are receiving fantastic grades today. These results are testament to the hard work of our students and the expertise and support of staff, families and friends. Thank you to everyone who has helped students be so successful.” 

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