London: Catholic schools celebrate another year of excellent exam results

Cardinal Pole students open GCSE results with Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Woodley, Deputy Mayor, Anntoinette Bramble and Cllr Anya Sizer. Image: Cardinal Pole Catholic School

Catholic schools across London are celebrating another year of excellent exam results. The first reports we've been sent follow below:

Forest Gate Newham

St Bonaventure's

Sixth Form Enrolment. St Bonaventure's School is proud to celebrate another year of excellent GCSE results, with many students achieving top grades and others showing great determination to secure strong outcomes.

Huge congratulations to all students and their families on the results and we welcome those students continuing their post-16 studies with us. Alongside strong A Levels & BTECs earlier this summer, these results reflect the care, commitment, and perseverance that drive our students' success.

Despite national changes and a year group without KS2 baseline data, the school has continued to deliver strong outcomes for the vast majority of students. Most progress successfully into Key Stage 5 with a wide range of options available, and many choose to continue their journey at St Bonaventure's Sixth Form.

Among the top individual performances, Nash secured eight grade 9s and two grade 8s, Zachary excelled with eight grade 9s and two grade 7s, and Head Boy, Reuben achieved two grade 9s, three grade 8s, three 7s and one grade 6.

Headteacher Mr Christopher McCormack said: "It is wonderful to see our students' hard work and commitment rewarded with such positive results. These achievements reflect the dedication of our students, the professionalism of our staff, and the ongoing support of families who have worked in partnership with us throughout the year. We are incredibly proud of this cohort and look forward to welcoming many of them into our 6th Form."

Mrs Georgia Firth, Year Leader for Year 11, said: "I am proud of the hard work, maturity, and dedication shown by our students, which is clearly reflected in their grades. It has been an honour to witness their growth, both academically and personally. Today marks a new chapter in their journey, and I know that their families and friends will be delighted with their success. Well done to all."

Head Boy Reuben was so pleased with his results, he said: "I'm so grateful for the support of the teachers who have nurtured and shaped my time here, their hard work and mine have paid off. I'm really excited to start studying A level Further Maths, Economics and Physics in the 6th Form at St Bon's."

Zachary expressed his relief and said: "I have achieved better than expected results. I'm so pleased that all my efforts have come to fruition and I'm thankful for the support of the teachers during my GCSE studies."

Nash, one of the highest-achieving students who will remain at the school to study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science, commented " I am proud of myself and all of my friends. I know that we have all worked hard and will continue to do so to succeed and gain what they are hoping to achieve going forward."

St Bonaventure's 6th Form continues to be one of the most sought after destinations for post-16 education in Newham and beyond, with around 2,000 applications for just 175 available places.

This year, St Bon's students achieved their best-ever set of results, with a 100% pass rate across both A Levels and BTECs. A remarkable 35% of students secured places at Oxbridge and prestigious Russell Group universities, while others progressed to highly competitive apprenticeships, including with top firms such as KPMG. With record-breaking grades, the Sixth Form has reinforced its reputation as a springboard to outstanding futures.

St Bonaventure's School has proudly served the East London community for 148 years, and remains committed to being a community where each individual can grow spiritually, academically and socially while serving as a witness to the Catholic faith.

Ofsted has rated the school Outstanding in all areas, recognising the exceptional quality of its teaching, leadership, and student care. And earlier in 2025, the Sunday Times named it the Happiest School in Newham, a testament to the positive and supportive environment in which students thrive and succeed.

St Bonaventure's is a voluntary-aided Catholic Secondary School in Forest Gate, East London, for boys aged 11-16 and for boys and girls aged 16-18 in the 6th Form. For more information visit - www.stbons.org/

Hillingdon

Douay Martyrs Catholic School

The Douay Martyrs Catholic School, in the borough of Hillingdon, celebrated an outstanding set of GCSE results, with notable individual achievements across various subjects.

The school is incredibly proud of the outcomes of our Year 11 students, especially that a third of all grades were awarded the highest grades of 9-7. This year's grades are in keeping with the high standards and strong outcomes that the school has celebrated over the past years, enabling our students to access their choice of post-16 pathway. At the subject level, great success was enjoyed by the many subjects with outcomes far over the national average. This was especially the case in Religious Studies, English, All Science Subjects, Sociology and Geography.

Congratulations to all students and their families.

Headteacher, Fiona McCloskey, was full of praise for the dedication and hard work demonstrated by the students in their exams, commenting: "I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our students on their achievements across different subjects. We are grateful to the parents and carers, whose encouragement and partnership have played a vital role in our students' success. As a school community, we could not be prouder. We look forward to seeing our young people continue to flourish in the next stage of their education."

The majority of students are expected to continue their education at the school's highly regarded Sixth Form, which offers a wide range of A Level and vocational courses and has a higher percentage than the national average in helping students gain entry to Russell Group universities each year.

Among the top performers this year was Caleb, who achieved 1 grade 9 and 2 grade 8s and expressed gratitude for the support received: "I'm happy with my results. The school has been with me every step of the way, from providing effective revision strategies to offering constant encouragement when I needed it most. That belief in me made such a difference. I'm excited to take the next step and begin my A Levels here at Douay, where I know I will continue to be challenged, supported, and inspired."

Another high-achieving student, Liana, who achieved 2 grade 9s and 4 grade 8s, reflected on her journey: My time at Douay has been fantastic for building lifelong friendships and developing strong, supportive relationships with my teachers. That support has been invaluable in helping me achieve my grades. I've chosen to stay on for Sixth Form because I know the teachers, the school, and the high standards we work towards. I'm confident that I can continue to excel at A Level - and perhaps do even better."

The Douay Martyrs Catholic Secondary School continues to build on its reputation as an aspirational, inclusive, Christ-centred community rooted in faith and love. The school was recently rated "Good" by Ofsted, with inspectors highlighting the strength of its environment to help students succeed: "Pupils are safe and happy at this school. The mental health and well-being of pupils are treated as a high priority. Staff listen to pupils' views. They provide opportunities for pupils to take on leadership responsibilities, including as pupil ambassadors for antibullying and safeguarding."

Hackney

Cardinal Pole Catholic School

Cardinal Pole Catholic School, 2024 School of the Year, is proud to announce another year of exceptional academic progress which places the school amongst the 25% nationally. This has been achieved through an unwavering commitment to compassion, inclusion, and community.

Executive Headteacher, Adam Hall, said: "We work with every young person, and we do so through patience, structure, and a belief in their potential. Our results are proof that when you treat children with dignity and compassion, they rise. This is what education in Hackney demands of us, that we see the potential in every child, no matter the circumstances. We don't close our doors to those seeking help."

Results were strong across the board, particularly in English Language, English Literature, History and RE. In addition, arts subjects continued to flourish, with 100% students in 3D design, 94% Art students and 83% Music students attaining at least a grade 4 also putting these departments among the top in the country for progress.

Head of Year 11, David Wilson, commented: "I am immensely proud of our students' fantastic achievements in their GCSE examinations. Throughout the year, they have shown hard work, dedication and resilience - in lessons, revision sessions and mock exams. I would like to thank our supportive staff and parents for their constant encouragement throughout the year. We are confident that our students are well-prepared for the next steps in their journey, and we look forward to welcoming many of them back to continue their education in our sixth form."

Highlights from individual students include: Jamal Barrie with 99888888, Ryan Rodriguez with 99888887 and Manuella Berko with 99987776.

Jamal said of his results: "I feel very appreciative of my results, I worked very hard. I'm happy I got all the grades I needed, and had the support and motivation from my teachers at Cardinal Pole. I believe Providence is key!"

For more information about Cardinal Pole Catholic School, please visit: www.cardinalpole.co.uk

Tower Hamlets

Bishop Challoner Catholic School

Bishop Challoner Catholic School in Tower Hamlets is proud to announce another spectacular set of GCSE results. The school, after joining the Lux Mundi Catholic Academy trust last year, is delighted to report improved progress at both KS5 and KS4.

Mr Adam Hall, Executive Headteacher, said: "These results, coupled with last week's fantastic Sixth Form results clearly demonstrate that Bishop Challoner is back on track and delivering strong outcomes once again for all. I couldn't be more proud of this group of young people. It has been amazing to see their smiles as they opened up their results today. A massive thank you goes out to our wonderful staff, who have worked tirelessly with our students. We also extend our gratitude to parents for their support at home, and of course, to our governors for their invaluable guidance. We are confident that our students will go on to achieve in whatever path they have chosen next, whether it be sixth form, college, or apprenticeships.

Results were strong across the board, though some individual subject areas shone. Dance, Art, Biology, English Language, French, Maths, Physics and Sociology are delighted to report GCSE results that are well above national average.

Head of Upper School, Anton Innocent, commented: "As Head of the Upper School, I am immensely proud of our students' remarkable achievements in their GCSE examinations. The entire Bishop Challoner community continues to take great pride in our students, and these results have only heightened that. Their hard work and dedication have been evident throughout the year, and their results are a testament to their efforts. While it's always sad to see students move on, we do so with joy! We hope they will stay in touch - as we're not done celebrating them just yet!"

Highlights from individual students include: Chantel Oteng with 6x9s, 2x8s and 1x7, Adia Ivy Dowey-WIlliams with 4x9s, 3x8s, 1x7 and 1x6, Jevan Glen with 4x9s, 1x8, 2x7 and 2x6.

Sakib Alam (below left) going to Bishop Challoner Sixth Form said: 'Good friends and supportive teachers carried me through my GCSE's'. Kiara Gomes (below right) added, 'Do your best and God will do the rest!'

For more information about Bishop Challoner Catholic School, please visit: www.bishop.towerhamlets.sch.uk