Exam Results Day 2025: Celebrating Success and Resilience
Thursday, 21st August saw a mix of excitement and anticipation as our Year 11 pupils gathered to collect their GCSE and BTEC Statements of Results. This annual event is always a significant milestone in our school calendar, and this year was no exception.
We are pleased to report that the results this year remain consistent with previous years, reflecting solid and sustained progress across the cohort. These outcomes are in line with both national and local trends, and they underline the dedication of our pupils and staff alike.
It is worth noting that this particular group of students faced a unique challenge: due to the 2020 lockdown, they were unable to sit their KS2 SATs during their final year of primary school. As a result, official progress measures, such as the Department for Education's ‘Progress 8’ score, have not been published for this cohort.
At St Mary’s, however, we have long recognised the importance of establishing a clear academic baseline for each pupil upon entry. All new students undertake Cognitive Abilities Tests (CATs) when they join us, a process that has proven especially valuable for those without prior SATs data, including pupils new to the country. These assessments measure potential and general cognitive abilities—verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative reasoning—rather than prior curriculum knowledge.
By comparing these CATs scores with pupils' final Year 11 outcomes, our internal analysis shows that this year group made positive progress across key subjects. The results reflect not only academic achievement but also the resilience, determination, and growth shown by our students throughout their time at St Mary’s.
We are incredibly proud of all our Year 11 pupils. They leave us ready to embrace the next stage of their educational or vocational journey—whether that be sixth form, college, or an apprenticeship—confident in the knowledge that they have risen to every challenge and achieved success through hard work and perseverance.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
