Excalibur Academies Trust is celebrating a strong set of GCSE results across its secondary schools, with improvements in key measures and a number of outstanding individual and school-level achievements.

Across the Trust, the proportion of pupils achieving the grade 4+ and grade 5+ thresholds and grades awarded at 7–9 has increased. There are also significant successes at individual schools, with John O’Gaunt School in Hungerford recording the best outcomes in its history, including an average improvement of +1.1 grades compared with the previous academic year.

Excalibur is also particularly pleased with the performance of pupils with SEND. The aggregated Average Point Score for SEND pupils across the Trust is 3.3, above the 2025 national average of 2.8.

John O’Gaunt (JOG), Hungerford

JOG has recorded a historic set of GCSE results, with its best-ever outcomes across a number of key measures. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 4.3 is its highest ever, representing a full grade improvement on its 2025 score of 3.2. At 56%, the percentage of pupils achieving grade 4+ in English and mathematics is a record high for the school, as is the 36% achieving grade 5+.

Chris Waldon, Chair of Governors at JOG comments: “JOG is a special place, where students are truly known as individuals and where the sense of community is palpable. I am therefore not surprised at all to see so many stories of success, both individually and collectively, across the school this year.”

Richard Hawthorne, Principal adds: “It has been a real joy to watch this cohort of Year 11 students grow and thrive. Whatever their next steps, these achievements lay a strong foundation for their future academic and personal endeavours, and we wish all our students every success.”

Ashton Park School, Bristol

Ashton Park School’s performance outcomes are strong, with 15% of pupils achieving grade 7 or above in English and mathematics, while 28.4% of all grades were awarded at grade 7 or above.

Both the school’s attainment 8 score and proportion of pupils achieving the basics threshold measures have increased, reflecting the hard work and sustained focus of the senior leadership team and subject leaders.

Richard Uffendell, Headteacher of Ashton Park School comments: “I am incredibly proud of every single student. While academic outcomes are important, they are only one part of the picture – exams do not define who you are. The values of respect, determination and community that our young people embody are just as vital. Being kind and making a positive impact on society matter hugely, and seeing our students grow into thoughtful, well-rounded individuals makes us just as proud as their achievements on paper. The results provide a strong foundation as the school continues to raise aspirations and set high standards across its community.”

St John’s Marlborough

Performance at St John’s Marlborough is positive, with the proportion of pupils achieving the basics 4+ measure increasing by four percentage points compared with 2025.

Outcomes for disadvantaged pupils are above the national benchmarks for each attainment measure. St John’s is also proud of consistently achieving some of the highest contextual value-added scores across Excalibur, with sharing best practice identified as an ongoing priority.

Alan Henderson, Principal at St John’s Marlborough comments: “This year has seen another increase in our overall grades. We are incredibly proud of the ambition, resilience and integrity shown by our hard-working students and staff who have made this possible once again. We wish all students the very best for their future endeavours and look forward to welcoming most of them back into our Sixth Form in a couple of weeks.”

Fairfield High School, Bristol

Fairfield’s focus on academic excellence has delivered strong results, with a remarkable ‘no gap’ between girls’ and boys’ attainment at grades 4+ and 7+ in English and Maths. Overall attainment at grades 5+ and 7+ also improved on previous years.

Subjects across the Sciences, Humanities and Arts have sustained or improved attainment at grade 5+ and 7+. Sports Science also performed strongly in Cambridge Nationals, with more than 85% of students achieving a Level 2 Pass or higher. Fairfield was even recognised by Cambridge OCR, with one student named as “one of the top performers in Child Development across the country”!

Edel Cronin, Principal of Fairfield High School comments: “We are immensely proud of our Year 11 students and all that they have achieved. Their attitude, dedication and commitment have been second to none. Days like these remind us that every student’s journey is unique, and success is shaped not only by outcomes, but by resilience, determination and growth. They also reflect the strength of our school community and our commitment to helping every student flourish.”

Redland Green School, Bristol

Redland Green is celebrating particularly strong outcomes with a number of exceptional individual achievements. One student achieved eight grade 9s and one grade 8, while 17 students achieved at least five grade 9s. A further 25 students achieved nothing below a grade 7.

The outcomes for pupils with SEND is also impressive, with an achievement of an Average Point Score of 4.4, with 63% achieving basics 4+ and 34% achieving Basics 5+. These measures are significantly higher than last year and above the national average.

The Wren, Reading

The Wren is celebrating the achievements of its Year 11 cohort, with outcomes for pupils with SEND improving significantly compared with previous years. Its Average Point Score has risen to 2.7, with 18% achieving basics 4+ and 12% achieving Basics 5+, all representing improvements on previous years. Furthermore, The Wren’s Progress 8 score is expected to be highly positive.

John Salberg, Principal of The Wren comments: “Today is entirely about our students – their character, their sustained effort and the personal milestones they have achieved. Every cohort is unique, and this group of young people has shown great ambition and commitment to their learning. When we look at individual student progress from where they began their journey, we see real success stories, whether that is a set of grade 9s and 8s or achieving a grade 4 in Maths or English. There is success to celebrate everywhere we look.”

Celebrating students and looking ahead

 Jason Tudor, Director of Secondary Education at Excalibur Academies Trust concludes: “Excalibur is immensely proud of the commitment, resilience and ambition shown by all of its Year 11 students and the staff who have supported them throughout their secondary education.

“Looking ahead, we will maintain a continuous focus on Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to succeed, with our values of being Ambitious, Empowering and Ethical remaining at the forefront of our work.”