This year's cohort celebrates 86% of grades awarded at A*-B or equivalent

The first St Mary’s School, Cambridge cohort to take GCSEs under the new 9 to 1 grading scheme has today received excellent results – including Daisy M., who achieved nine A* grades and three grade 9s. In those subjects graded under the new scheme – English Language, English Literature, and Mathematics –13% of English Language papers were awarded the new top grade, against 2% nationally, and 9% of Mathematics papers were also awarded grade 9, against 3% nationally.

Lydia S. is delighted today to have achieved 11 A* and 2 A grades (or equivalent) across 13 GCSE subjects – Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, English Literature, English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Religious Studies, History, Latin, German, Computer Science and Japanese – and will now go on to study Double Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science at A Level. Lydia joined the school in Reception and although she is passionate about Latin, Japanese and History (for which she achieved A* grades), her favourite subject is Physics and she is considering a career in Computing, and so opted for science-based subjects to suit her university and career aspirations.

Lydia said: “The school has really helped me with its recent push for women in science and gave me many opportunities to go on trips and hear talks from some inspiring women. It has developed me as an individual because I have made lots of close friends and I’ve always been supported in pursuing what I wanted to do. I’ve also had a chance to try everything.”

With uptake in foreign language qualifications in a state of decline nationally, St Mary’s School, Cambridge students’ interest and performance in a range of foreign languages tells a different story. 86% of Latin results and 83% of German results were awarded the top A* grade, and 81% of Spanish papers were awarded at A*/A grade. Students taking humanities and arts subjects also achieved exceptional grades, showing the school’s success across the board, with  92% of History students achieving A*/A grades, and 91% of Art and 89% of Music students respectively achieving  A*/A grades.

One student also celebrating today is Gigi D., who joined the school in Year 7. Having achieved 100% A*/A (or equivalent), Gigi will take Drama, Music and History at St Mary’s Sixth Form, Cambridge starting in September. Gigi has enjoyed taking LAMDA classes at school achieving grade 6, playing the saxophone in the school’s jazz band and singing in the choirs, and has performed in a number of concerts and whole school productions, including playing the title role in Annie in Year 9. Outside of school she has also performed as Macy in Lazy Ace in the West End, and will be auditioning for The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) Youth Company in September, and once she has completed her A Levels hopes to attend RADA, or AMDA in New York.

Gigi said: “Playing the lead in Annie was probably one of my favourite moments – it was my first experience of being known for singing and dancing. The school definitely encouraged me to pursue my interests. Without my Drama and Music teachers – Ms Roberts, Mrs Fisher and Mrs Gears – I’d never have pursued performance subjects beyond GCSE. But they said I was talented and should go for it, and join as many clubs and take all the opportunities that I could – and I did!”

Charlotte Avery, Headmistress of St Mary’s School, Cambridge said: “All of us in the St Mary’s School, Cambridge community are incredibly proud of what our students have been able to achieve this year. The girls have developed as individuals during their time with us – some of them for 12 years – into the confident young adults who we see today collecting their GCSE results. They have discovered new talents and interests, and have worked incredibly hard. Congratulations to all.”