Hammersmith Schools Register Best Ever GCSEs
Local students excel despite impact of Covid-19 on lessons
Sacred Heart's class of 2025 celebrates its results
August 25, 2025
Despite no allowance being made for the impact of the pandemic on this year's GCSE cohort, a number of schools in the Hammersmith area have delivered record breaking performances.
Bucking the national trend which saw the proportion of top grades decline due to tougher marking standards, there was widespread improvement from local schools.
Sacred Heart High School showed marked improvement in its 2025 GCSE results. 49% of grades were at 7–9, representing a 12% increase from the previous year and 31% of grades were at 8 or 9. Additionally, 83% of grades were at 5 or above, and 94% were at 4 or above. The proportion of top grades (8–9) rose to 31%, indicating a growing number of high achievers. The school attributes this success to a balance of academic support and pastoral care.
Headteacher Mrs O'Donovan said, 'We are thrilled to see our students excel and reach their full potential. We recognise this cohort had a very different transition to secondary school because of the effects of the covid pandemic. We look forward to seeing the amazing things they will accomplish in the future.'
The West London Free School (WLFS) has reported its strongest GCSE outcomes since opening, with significant year-on-year improvements across key performance indicators. Among the 133 pupils who sat exams this year, 63% of all grades were awarded at Grade 7–9, up from 51% in 2024. A quarter of all entries achieved the highest possible mark, Grade 9.
Additional metrics show that 87% of grades were at Grade 5–9, and 93% at Grade 4–9. The school’s Attainment 8 score rose to 6.8, compared with 6.4 the previous year. In core subjects, 90% of students achieved a pass in both English and Mathematics, while 79% met the requirements for the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), a marked increase from 63% in 2024.
School leaders attributed the results to sustained academic focus and support across the school community. They also highlighted outcomes for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, noting that average grades for this group were reported to be two levels above the national average.
West London Free School students open their GCSE results
WLFS continues to expand its Sixth Form provision, with many Year 11 students expected to continue their studies at the school. The results place the school among the highest-performing non-selective state schools nationally.
| West London Free School - GCSE Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Year |
Attainment 8 Grade* |
% of all grades 7–9 |
% of all grades 4–9 |
2019 |
5.7 |
35% |
86% |
2022 |
6.2 |
51% |
88% |
2023 |
6.3 |
49% |
88% |
2024 |
6.1 |
48% |
86% |
2025 |
6.4 |
50% |
89% |
Westside School in Galena Road which is an alternative provision secondary saw 114 exams sat with a 93% success rate.
Westside's Batuhan called his school amazing
Headteacher Pani Matsangos said, “We are immensely inspired by each and every one of our Year 11s. Their success is measured not only in the wonderful set of grades they have achieved, but also in the remarkable young people they have become throughout their journey here at Westside."
GCSE student Batuhan collected his results and explained: "This is an amazing school, and they've helped me a lot. I'm really proud."
Godolphin and Latymer School delivered another year of exceptional results. In 2025, 89% of GCSE grades were at 8–9, placing the school sixth among London’s top-performing secondary schools.
The school said, “We are delighted that the committed hard work of the pupils and all those who supported them over the past two years has been rewarded in this way. We are excited to see our largest ever Sixth Form cohort launching this September; they are strongly placed to make a great success of the next stage of their education and to contribute positively as leaders of our student community.”
Latymer Upper School reported its ‘best ever’ GCSE results with an impressive 96% of all grades between 7 and 9, with 62% of those being grade 9s—the highest possible. Over three-quarters of students achieved exclusively grades 7–9, and 75 pupils earned only 8s and 9s.
Latymer Upper students with their GCSE results. Picture: Latymer Upper
Hammersmith Academy in Cathnor Road is also celebrating its best year on record for GCSE results, with more than a quarter of students receiving a 7-9 grade.
Core subjects remained strong, with 78% of students achieving grades 5-9, in English, and 60% of pupils obtaining a grade 5-9 in mathematics.
100% of students achieving a grade 5-9 in drama and more than 41% of students achieving a grade 7 or higher in biology and physics, and 48% in chemistry.
Standout performers included Ottilie Burrill Smith, Nyi Linn Khant, Mei Lin Antigny, Illinca Onisii, Chiara Repole Federico, Suleiman Mohamed and Aochen Luo who all secured grade 8s and 9s across all their subjects.
Suleiman explained: "GCSEs were the first big challenge and I'm excited to carry this momentum into my A-levels!"
Aochen Luo, who achieved three grade 9s and five grade 8s,, said: "The after-school intervention sessions helped me a lot throughout the GCSE process, and I'm especially proud of how much progress I made in maths."
Some of the top performers at Hammersmith Academy
Headmaster Gary Kynaston said, “Education is about changing life chances and it is clear that we do that consistently at Hammersmith Academy. Students' GCSE success provides the foundation for them to thrive in our Sixth Form, where they are supported to achieve at the highest levels and prepare for their next step towards university or apprenticeship and on to rewarding and fulfilling careers."
London Oratory School continued its strong academic tradition with 41% of GCSE grades awarded at 7–9. The school’s value-added performance placed it in the top 25% nationally, with particularly strong outcomes in Art & Design, Science, Chinese, English Language, History, Mathematics, and Music.
Lady Margaret School achieved solid results in 2025. 51% of GCSE grades were at 7–9, and 84% were at grade 5 or above. Notably, 68% of students secured the English Baccalaureate, and the school’s Attainment 8 score was 65.13, with an average points score of 6.23.
Cllr Alex Sanderson, Deputy Leader of H&F, said, "We are celebrating another brilliant set of GCSE results right across the borough. I'm so proud of every single one of our young people. If you didn't get the results that you wanted, there are tons of pathways and opportunities available to you. We are here to support you every step of the way.
"Massive thanks to every single teacher, headteacher, teaching assistant, dinner assistant, parents, carer and everyone who has played a role in making sure that our young people go on to fulfil their potential."
This year’s GCSE results, released across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, reflect a continued adjustment following the return to pre-pandemic grading standards. Nationally, the proportion of top grades (7/A and above) fell to 21.6%, down from 22.4% in 2023 and significantly lower than the 28.9% peak seen in 2021 when teacher-assessed grades were used. The overall pass rate (grades 4/C and above) also declined slightly to 66.4%, compared to 67.8% last year.
In London, students continued to outperform the national average, with inner London boroughs in particular seeing a higher proportions of top grades, with selective and high-performing comprehensives contributing to the trend.
The results come amid wider debates about the fairness and consistency of grading, especially for students who began their secondary education during lockdowns. Education leaders have noted that this year’s cohort faced unique challenges, having missed substantial classroom time in Years 7 and 8. Despite this, many schools reported resilience and progress, with some headteachers calling for renewed investment in catch-up programmes and mental health support.
The Department for Education has reiterated its commitment to maintaining grading standards, while acknowledging the need to support students through the transition.
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