What does Ofsted say about our school?

"Pupils and students flourish and succeed at Highsted Grammar."

"An ambitious 'cognitive and compassion' curriculum offers a fitting balance of academic rigour and pastoral support."

"Sixth Form students enjoy a wide range of subjects and typically take four A-levels and an extended project qualification.

"High numbers of students proceed to quality universities of their own choice."

Ofsted 2023

Examination Results

Our examination results are outstanding. But then, they should be! Because we have first class staff; excellent resources; motivated, well-behaved, committed students, and the strong support of parents.

As a grammar school, we are very fortunate in that respect and, of course, any girl who attends Highsted has those benefits not only for the whole time she is at the school, but throughout her life.

Class of 2022

Year 11 - Exceptional students excel again!

We are delighted to report another year of excellent achievement by students in their GCSE Results. Students have consistently demonstrated their willingness to overcome challenges during their GCSE two-year journey and showed courage and determination to challenge whatever life threw at them and as a school we are rightly proud of their success.

It is particularly pleasing to observe the significant cohort of students who achieved the very top grades across all their subjects. These exceptional students included: Zoe Weldon-King, Elzbieta Vokietaityte, Teresa Britten, Millie Peckham, Keira Woods, Vanessa Adenowo, Isabelle Barnes, Sophie Goodman, Kayla Moerman, Hannah Tudor, Branwyn Henley-Ennels, Gabriella Coccia, Julia Chrom, Safa Puri, Libby Knight, Gerda Nalivaiko, Lillia Waghorn, Eva Ashton, Lola Best, Maddison Tooke and Sophie Gull.

We are delighted by these results and are full of admiration and pride for the students who thoroughly deserve this considerable level of success due to their focus and commitment to their studies. The students, with the support of their parents have worked exceptionally hard to achieve these results, and the efforts of staff cannot be understated. We look forward to working with our students in Sixth Form as they prepare for the next steps in their educational journey. Everybody is understandably proud.

Year 13 - Highsted students buck the trend!

Nationally, lower grades were expected for this year's A-levels, but once again we are delighted to report that the Class of 2022 have achieved record A-level examination results. Despite the challenges of the last two years, the students have shown tremendous determination and commitment to their studies with 80% of grades awarded at A*-B.

Notably, in a moment of national grade deflation, students have strived to achieved the very top grades across a range of facilitating subjects, with over half of the cohort grades awarded as A*-A. Teachers have consistently identified the year group as exceptionally hardworking and independent in their desire to overcome gaps encountered during sustained periods of disruption, with 20% of grades awarded an A*. Exceptional performances of four A*/A were awarded to Cerys Capon, Emily Chapman, Cerys Evans, Hannah Forster, Maia Fullalove, Emily Jenkins, Freya Jury, Scarlett L, Alice McKenzie, Nancy Morris-Blaney, Chloe O’Brien, Charlotte Patterson, Mia Thomas and Rebecca Wilson.

As a year group, the students have focussed on working together as a community to overcome obstacles presented by isolation. It is fitting and just that this year group has secured the school’s record A-level examination grades. The school are grateful to our teachers and parents who have supported the students in their journey to success, and proud of the outstanding individuals the students have become. We wish them every success in their future careers.

Class of 2021

Year 13 - the Photos Say It All!

Congratulations to all our A-level students who, after the challenges of the past two years, have deservedly found their place in Highsted history with some truely amazing A-level results. We wish you all the very best of luck in the next stage of your education.

We are particularly delighted to acknowledge a significant number of students pursuing medical careers: Kiruthigaa A, Imani I, Toluwalashe O, Neegar S and Preet S are looking forward to studying medicine in the autumn and Ella G will pursue Pharmacy. Continuing the school’s relationship with Oxford University, Lily B will read French and Linguistics.

This year, following the cancellation of exams, grades were awarded through a process of teacher assessed grades, against a national standard and approved and awarded by the exam boards. The government is not publishing performance data for any schools or colleges this year due to the varying impact of the pandemic.

Frances Tiernan-Powell Assistant Headteacher said: “We are immensely proud of all the work and achievements of our students, especially after such a difficult and disrupted year. Our teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure students are all able to progress onto further education and study, and we look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future."

Year 11 - GCSE Students Show Grit & Determination

We are delighted to report another year of excellent achievements by students in their GCSE results. Students have consistently demonstrated their willingness to overcome a whole host of obstacles that would have been unimaginable in the past. They showed true grit and determination to challenge whatever life threw at them and as a school we are rightly proud.

It is particularly pleasing to observe the significant cohort of students who achieved the very top grades across all their subjects. These exceptional students included: Caitlin A, Bethany C, Sienna D, Grace D, Jackson E, Bethany F, Rosie G, Elena I, Olivia M, Millie M, Annie McS, Caitlin M, Amber O, Ruby P, Ella P, Neve R, Holly S, Amelia S, Brooke S, Ria T, Alecsia T, Ilana W, Hannah W and Liberty W.

We are absolutely delighted by these results and are full of admiration and pride for the students who thoroughly deserve this considerable level of success. The students, with the support of their parents, have worked exceptionally hard to achieve these results, and the efforts of staff cannot be understated. We look forward to working with our students in Sixth Form as they prepare for the next steps in their educational journey. Everybody is understandably elated.

Class of 2020

Year 13 - a Force for Change

Further to their outstanding success in 2018, Highsted Grammar School are pleased to report that the Class of 2020 have maintained their aspirations through to this year's A-level results. Despite the challenges of 2020, students have once again surpassed previous records of high attainment in national examinations with an unprecedented 81% of grades awarded at A*-B.

Notably, students have strived to achieved the very top grades across a range of facilitating subjects, with over half of the cohort grades awarded as A*-A. Teachers have consistently identified the year group as exceptionally hardworking and determined to surpass all expectations, and the students, through their long-term diligence, have not failed to meet this expectation, with 23% of grades awarded an A*. Exceptional performances of five A*/A were awarded to Olivia A, Gabija B, Orion C, Libby F, Shannon G, Jaycee H, Elena J, Rebecca S, Lauren S, Ibukan S, Tierney S, Ella T, Bethany T and Kathryn W; in addition to 26 students who achieved four A*/A grades.

As a year group, the students have focussed on encouraging their peers and school to be a ‘Force for Change’ in their school and their community through identifying causes and educating others on the need to channel their energies to overcome negative attitudes that threaten their altruistic outlook. Through their performance at A Level, the students have once again challenged the negativity of our times. The school are grateful to our teachers and parents who have supported the students in their journey to success, and proud of the outstanding women that they have become. We wish all the Class of 2020 every success in their future careers, confident that they are equipped with both the academic excellence and moral proficiency to be a real ‘Force for Change.’

Year 11 GCSE Overview

Highsted Grammar School is delighted to report some outstanding GCSE results at the end of this unprecedented year, with 58% at Grade 7 or above.

We recognise, in particular, 11 pupils who gained a clean sweep of top Grade 9s and 8s: Hannah B; Gabriella D; Amy D; Maia F; Bethany H; Emily J; Freya J; Alice McK; Lucy S; Mia T; and Rebecca W.

We are absolutely delighted by these results and are full of admiration and pride for our pupils who thoroughly deserve this considerable level of success in these difficult times. We pay tribute to the work of pupils and their teachers for their efforts and wish them well as they begin their sixth form courses.

Class of 2019

Year 13 A-level Overview

It has been another successful year for students completing their A-level studies at Highsted Grammar School. We are very proud of how our students have performed this year; they have risen to the increased challenge and achieved excellent results at A-level.

Despite a national picture of fewer top grades being awarded, the overall pass rate has remained strong at 99% and the percentage A* - C grades has maintained an impressive 82% with a significant proportion (62%) of all grades being A* - B. This high attainment is evident in a number of facilitating subjects including Art, Theatre Studies, Economics, Politics and Sociology. Students and teachers, with the support of parents, at Highsted Grammar have worked particularly hard this year to ensure that the challenges of a more rigorous A-level programme have been met. We are rightly proud of how well our students have performed.

There are some amazing individual successes across the full range of academic achievement. At the top end an exceptional number of students gained straight A*/A grades. Siobhan Adeyemi, Princella Boateng, Emily Crompton, Abbie Fallows, Rosie Milns, Owen Stacey, Laura Stokes, Will Tumber, Heather Wilson and Tom Wood all achieved three or more grades at A*/A. Students have demonstrated a firm commitment to learning and success that is evident in their outstanding results. We wish them every success in their further education and careers.

Year 11 GCSE Overview

Highsted Grammar School is delighted to report another positive year of achievements by students in their GCSE examinations with over half of top grades being awarded at grade 8 or 9.

It is particularly pleasing to see 12 pupils gain at least 10 grades 7 or above. These exceptional performances are from the following pupils: Arnuan Kiruthigaa; Lily Bamber; Julia Entwistle; Ella Gray; Imani Irinoye; Alice Bourne; Emma Cole; Rosie Currams; Lisa Puddephatt; Charlotte Tolhurst; Isobelle Jackson; and Jessica Wiesmath.

We are absolutely delighted by these results and are full of admiration and pride for our students who thoroughly deserve this considerable level of success. The students, with the support of their parents, have worked exceptionally hard to achieve these results and, likewise, the efforts of staff cannot be understated. The whole school community is understandably delighted.

Anne Kelly, Headteacher

Class of 2018

Year 13 A-level Overview

Once again it has been another record year for students completing their A-level studies at Highsted Grammar School. We are very proud of how our students have performed this year; they have risen to the increased challenge and achieved excellent results at A-level.

The high level of achievement is excellent considering that the challenge of A-levels has increased once more with the transition of most subjects to new style examinations. The percentage A*/A grades has increased to an impressive 38% with a significant proportion (65%) of all grades being A* - B. This high attainment is evident in a number of facilitating subjects including Art, History, English, Mathematics and Geography. We would thank staff and parents who have worked particularly hard this year to support students for this additional challenge and we are rightly proud of their success.

There are some amazing individual successes across the full range of academic achievement. At the top end, an exceptional number of students gained straight A*/A grades. Maria Doria, Anna Kent and Sian Low all achieved three A* and one A grade each. One fifth of the cohort achieved three or more A*/A grades, which is an exceptional achievement when nationally the percentage of students securing a C grade or above has fallen. Anne Kelly Headteacher stated, “Students have demonstrated a firm commitment to learning and success that is evident in their outstanding results. We wish them every success in their higher education and future careers."

Year 11 GCSE Overview

Highsted Grammar School is delighted to report another year of excellent achievements by pupils in their GCSE examination – with 53% of all results at Grades 9-7.

While nationally only 2% of grades are expected to be awarded at Grade 9, a remarkable 11% of all Highsted’s GCSEs were awarded the very top grade! The pupils have clearly responded with exceptional commitment, evident in one third of grades being awarded a Grade 8 or 9. It is particularly pleasing to see 21 pupils gain at least ten Grade 7s or above which is a new record for the school. These exceptional performances are from the following pupils: Tami Alhassan, Olivia Auston, Gabija Barkute, Hannah Blacklock, Louisa Briggs, Orion Corder, Libby Francis, Holly Ibrahim, Phebe Ijaduola, Elena Jury, Elaina Mason, Shannon Pardoe, Rebecca Scholefield, Ibukunoluwa Shangobiyi, Tierney Sharp, Ella Thorpe, Charlotte Todd, Bethany Tremain, Ella Waghorn and Lucy Whiskin.

We are absolutely delighted by these results and are full of admiration and pride for our pupils - they thoroughly deserve this considerable level of success. The pupils with the support of their parents have worked exceptionally hard to achieve these results, and the efforts of staff cannot be understated. The whole school community is understandably delighted.

Anne Kelly, Headteacher

Class of 2017

Year 13 A-level Overview

Once again we have achieved 100% A-level pass rate! Our students have worked extremely hard to produce these excellent results and we are very proud of all that they have achieved – they are a credit to themselves and the school. We would like to commend the dedication and talent of the teaching staff who, together with the families of our students, have provided much support during their time at the school.

Overall pass rate: 100%;
A*/A grades: 30%;
A*/B grades: 61%;
Additionally, 69% of students achieved at least one A* or A grade (an increase of 6% over the 2015-16 results.)

With the A* grade to identify those truly outstanding students, competition at A- level for the best university places is extremely fierce. We are delighted that our students have secured their offer of a university place to commence study in September! Several students achieved an A* recognition in at least one A-level within their programme, but of particular mention are students Lucy Burns, Isobel Clark, Rebecca Crouch, Maisy Crunden, Beth Fairlie, Emily Hall, Rachel Hardgrave and Bethany Johnson.

We offer our congratulations and very best wishes to everyone who is leaving Highsted this year and trust that the education they have received will continue to support them throughout their future careers.

Year 11 GCSE Overview

With great excitement and trepidation, Year 11 students learned the product of their hard work and determination to succeed in their GCSE examinations. Staff and students alike were thrilled to see that students had performed exceptionally well in their examinations, with nearly 50% of the grades in full course GCSE subjects being either an A* or A.

Sixteen students achieved more than ten A* or A grades, with 13% of students being awarded the new high standard of a grade 9 in English or Mathematics. Deserved recognition can be attributed to Natasha Ali, Katie Dennis, Holly Jones, Rosie Milns, Bethany Misy, Laura Stokes and Heather Wilson, who each achieved 11 or more A*/A grades.

Assistant Headteacher Frances Tiernon-Powell commented, “We are particularly pleased with the resilience that students have shown in a new age of assessment which demands a significant commitment from students and support from teachers to excel. We are confident that the students’ performances this year will ensure they are able to further their ambitions in the next stage of their education.”