Royal Hospital School achieve decade-leading GCSE results

The Royal Hospital School in Ipswich is delighted to announce its best GCSE results in the past decade*. 97% of the 1017 exams taken were graded 9-4 and over 45% were graded 9 to 7, surpassing the school’s previous highest results. Over a third (38 pupils) achieved 9-7 grades in six or more subjects and twelve pupils were awarded 9-7 grades in every subject studied. Pupils achieved the highest proportion of grade 9s since the 9-1 grading system was introduced.

* except for Teacher Assessed Grades in 2021.

Key Highlights

• Grade 9-8: 18%
• Grades 9-7: 45.4%
• Grades 9-4: 96.6%
• Grades 9-4 (includes Mathematics & English): 93.2%
• 2 pupils gained all grades 9s
• 4 pupils gained straight 9s and 8s
• 41 pupils achieved at least a grade 7 in six or more subjects
• 74.4% of our language GCSEs (inc Chinese, French, German, Latin, Russian & Spanish) were graded 7-9
• 99.1% grade 4 or higher in English
• 93.2% grade 4 or higher in Mathematics
• The following departments gained 80% grade 9-6 or higher: Biology, Design & Technology, Drama, Geography, History and Religious Studies
• 117 pupils sat 1017 GCSE exams in total

Simon Lockyer, Headmaster at Royal Hospital School, comments: “I am really pleased and proud of this cohort who have had to navigate the disruption to some of their most formative educational years. To achieve this so successfully is testament to their perseverance, versatility and determination. Congratulations to our pupils on our best GCSE results in a decade. These results are a combination of hard work from pupils but also a reflection of the commitment and care of the teachers.

“I am immensely proud of all that they have achieved both academically and through their wider commitment to life at RHS. We look forward to welcoming the vast majority back to join us in the Sixth Form.”

Catherine Stevens, Deputy Head (Academic) at Royal Hospital School, comments: “After much speculation in the media about the downturn in this year’s examination results, I am delighted that the hard work of our teachers and pupils over the past two years has been reflected in an excellent set of results.

“There is no doubt that our online provision during the periods of lockdown allowed for a seamless continuation of learning that ensured our pupils progressed well with their curriculum work. I am extremely grateful to our teachers who have been so versatile in their teaching during this time and very proud of this year group who have come through adversity and are now ready to start sixth form study from a strong position.”

Daisy Clabburn and Zara Spendiff were joint top performers, gaining an incredible clean sweep of grade 9s across their nine GCSEs.

Daisy chose Drama, French, History and Latin as her GCSE options, in addition to the core subjects of English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Combined Science. She will be going on to study A Levels in English, History and Religious Studies, with aspirations to become a barrister.

Daisy joined RHS in Year 9 as an Academic and Drama Scholar from Town Close prep school in Norwich. She balances her academic studies with an extremely busy co-curricular programme, where she plays hockey for the 1st team and sails competitively across the East of England. She credits her ability to do this to the incredible support of her housemistress at RHS.

Daisy said: “I chose RHS because I viewed it to be the most well-rounded and supportive school to enable me to pursue my wide range of interests that includes acting, academics, hockey and sailing. Although I have enjoyed all of my GCSE subjects, I have particularly loved Drama as it has given me the opportunity to improve my leadership and creative skills. However, English and History are my ultimate favourites due to my curiosity at how past events and literature have shaped the modern day."

Zara Spendiff also gained nine grade 9s including her chosen options of Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Latin, Physics and Religious Studies. She will be going on to study A Levels in Biology, Economics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics, with aspirations to study Law or Finance at university.

Zara joined RHS in Year 7 from Littlegarth School in Colchester as an Academic and Sports Scholar and has particularly enjoyed all the opportunities available to her, particularly sports, where she has already been selected to play some first team matches in cricket, hockey and netball.

Zara said: “RHS has allowed me to achieve my academic and sporting potential - I love all the opportunities available to me across a variety of areas as well as all the encouragement given to me to succeed. I am so grateful to all my teachers for believing in me.”