The Queen’s School, Chester is celebrating a standout set of GCSE results, with 80% of all grades awarded at 9–6 (A*–B), including 58% at the highest GCSE grades of 9–7 (A*–A). Behind the figures is a year group that has worked with real focus, supported by subject specialists and a highly individual approach to teaching.
Almost three quarters of the year group, 73%, achieved at least one grade 9 or 8, while more than half, 55%, finished with grades 6 and above across every subject. A fantastic set of results for these hard-working girls, many of whom began their Queen’s journey in reception.
Seven subjects returned 100% of grades at 9-6: Art, Classical Civilisation, Computing, French, Mandarin and Religious Studies. All Music candidates were awarded 8 or 9, with one pupil securing a place with the Liverpool Empire Youth Musical Theatre company alongside her A-level studies here at Queen’s. Results were particularly strong in Religious Studies with 90% of grades at 9-7. In Design and Technology 90% of grades were awarded at 9-6. History also delivered an impressive 83% at 9-6. English Language and English Literature maintained a 100% pass rate, with 82% and 87% of grades respectively at 9-6. Mathematics achieved a 100% pass rate with 71% of grades at 9-6.
Languages remain a particular strength. Alongside 100% grades 9-6 in French and Mandarin, 71% of Spanish grades were at 9–7 and one pupil secured a grade 9 in Classical Greek. Pupils are also sitting papers early, with a Year 9 pupil already banking an A* in Mandarin and a Year 10 pupil a grade 9 in French. That confidence is built well beyond the classroom: Mandarin pupils travelled to China at the end of the summer term, while Spanish linguists spent a week in Salamanca living with host families, studying daily and exploring the city’s university, cathedral and medieval streets.
The sciences were similarly strong, with 71% of all science grades at 9–6 and 80% at 9–6 in Dual Award Science. Year 11 pupils also took part in a number of national academic competitions, including the UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge, the British Physics Olympiad Junior Challenge, where the school collected two Silver and five Bronze awards, and the Royal Society of Biology’s Biology Challenge, which brought home a Gold, five Bronze awards, two Highly Commended and six Commended.
This year’s student achievements extend well beyond the classroom. One pupil returned from Madeira as European Biathlon (Biathle) Champion after racing for Team GB and will represent Team GB in the World Championships in October, while another finished second at the Cheshire Shields equestrian competition. Others won Commended and Best Young Delegate awards at Model United Nations conferences, performed at the Town Hall for the Lord Mayor’s charity Chesterton event, joined the Cheshire Youth Commission advising the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, ran a charity pop-up cinema for local families, and raised funds for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd by singing to shoppers at Cheshire Oaks.
Headmistress Joanne Keville commented:
“These results are richly deserved. The girls have approached their studies with maturity, determination and resilience, supported every step of the way by the dedication and expertise of our staff.
“What strikes me most, however, is everything they have achieved beyond the classroom. Whether in sport, music, drama, debating or service to others, they have embraced every opportunity available to them, while still achieving outstanding academic success.
“That balance lies at the heart of a Queen’s education. Many of these girls first joined us as four-year-olds, and seeing them now take the next step into Sixth Form is one of the greatest privileges of my role. They have every reason to be proud of what they have accomplished, and we look forward to seeing all they achieve in the years ahead.”