Class acts! Jewish pupils outshine national GCSE average
Thousands of Jewish students celebrate exam success as grades soar across the board
It was a morning of pride and celebration across the community as thousands of Jewish students picked up their GCSE results – with schools reporting record-breaking achievements and pupils securing outcomes far above national averages.
At JFS, the school’s largest ever Year 11 cohort secured outstanding outcomes, with 53 percent of all grades at 7 or higher, more than double the national figure of 22 percent. The proportion of Grade 9s also rose to 17 percent, up from 13 percent last year, and thirteen pupils achieved eight or more 9s.
Headteacher Dr David Moody said he was proud of the tenacity shown by students and praised the kindness and support they offered each other. He also thanked staff, calling them “a brilliant group of people” who had guided pupils through the year.
At Hasmonean High School, the Girls’ School saw 60 percent of grades at 7-9 and 95 percent at 4 or above, with almost a third of pupils achieving eight or more top grades. The Boys’ School reported 47 percent at 7-9 and 83 percent at 4 or above, with more than one in five securing at least eight high marks.
Headteacher of the Girls’ School Alice Lucas said she was delighted for pupils, adding she was “looking forward to great things from this talented year group” and thanking staff for their support.
Headteacher of the Boys’ School Miriam Langdon praised the dedication and hard work of students and highlighted the “strong partnership with parents” that had enabled them to flourish.
Rabbi Jeremy Golker, Menahel of Hasmonean, said pupils had shown it was possible to combine outstanding academic results with Torah learning and communal leadership, while Trust CEO Andrew McClusky described them as “leaders with a moral compass in an ever-changing world”.
At JCoSS, students also celebrated an exceptional year. Nearly half of all results (48 percent) were Grade 7 or higher, including 28 percent at Grade 8 or 9, while 93 percent of grades were 4 or above. Several students achieved extraordinary individual successes, with some awarded nine or ten Grade 9s.
Headteacher Dr Melanie Lee said she was “immensely proud” of the determination and resilience shown, praising teachers and parents for their support. She added she looked forward to welcoming many into the Sixth Form, describing the future as “bright for this talented group”.
At Immanuel College, students posted record results across every measure. This year 32 percent of grades were at Grade 9, while 54 percent were 9-8 and 71 percent were 9-7, all new highs for the school. Almost every result (99 percent) was at a Grade 4 or above. Five students achieved straight Grade 9s including one with twelve top grades, and 14 percent of the cohort earned at least eight 9s.
Headteacher Dan Endlar described the results as “record-breaking”, saying they reflected students’ hard work, determination and resilience, and praised the breadth of subjects in which they excelled – from traditional academic areas to the arts, where pupils gained some of the top marks nationally.
At Yavneh College, pupils celebrated what the school called “incredible results”, with 56 percent of grades at 7-9 and 19 percent at Grade 9 alone. More than four in five results were Grade 5 or higher. Standout performers included Yishai Carmi (11 Grade 9s) and a further six students who achieved nine Grade 9s.
Executive Headteacher Mr Spencer Lewis said: “I am incredibly proud of all our Year 11 pupils who have done so brilliantly in their GCSEs. I could not be happier for the pupils who have worked so hard, particularly all those who, like in last week’s A-Level results, have made such a huge amount of progress during their time at Yavneh College. Well done.”
Rabbi David Meyer, Chief Executive of PaJeS, said the achievements were especially significant given the disruption this cohort faced starting secondary school during the pandemic. He said the results were “a testament not only to the hard work of the pupils, but also to the dedication of their teachers, school leaders, and families”, adding: “We are immensely proud of what they have achieved and wish them all a huge mazeltov!”
How our community leaders fared in their GCSEs
Jewish community leaders recall their own exam days:
- Richard Ferrer – Jewish News editor: B English, B in Drama, two Cs.
- Daniel Sugarman – Jewish News deputy editor: 5 As, 5 Bs.
- Justin Cohen MBE– Jewish News co-publisher: 1 A*, 3As, 4Bs, C.
- Phil Rosenberg – Board of Deputies president: 6 A*’s in languages and science, 4As in English, history, and maths.
- Rabbi David Mason – CEO, HIAS+JCORE: 3As at O Grades and 6 As at Scottish Highers.
- Sandy Rashty – News editor at Sky: 1A* 7 As, 2 Bs.
- Josh Glancy – Sunday Times associate editor: 8 A*s, 2 As – but not, to his dismay, in Jewish Studies.
- Rabbi David Meyer OBE – PaJeS chief executive: a mix of As, Bs and C at O Levels.
- Yehuda Fink – StandWithUS UK: 3 A*s, 6 As, 2 Bs and 2Cs – proudest of an A in Maths.
- Laura Marks CBE – Mitzvah Day founder: O Levels, mixed results. “They felt vital then, but fade fast.”
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