They’re glowing at Eltham College in its last year as a boys-only seat of learning

Students at Eltham College are today celebrating an exceptional set of GCSE results, up against last year’s on every measure.

More than one-third of all results were at the highest grade, grade 9, with a further 28 per cent awarded grade 8 – almost two-thirds of grades thus being equivalent to an A* under the previous system, a six-point improvement over 2023’s already excellent performance.

Crucially, almost nine in every 10 awards reached the all-important grade 7 -9 tier (formerly A*/A), a results day record for the school (outside non-examined COVID times) since the implementation of numbered grades.

This fine achievement from the school’s last-ever boys-only cohort marks a fitting start to a new era for Eltham College, which will be co-educational in all year groups from September.

The boys leave an extraordinary legacy. Almost a quarter of them achieved a clean sweep of grades 9 and 8, while across the whole cohort, more grade 9s were scored than any other single grade.

No fewer than half of all maths results were graded 9, with tremendous performances also seen in languages (47 per cent grade 9), physics (46 per cent at grade 9), history (44 per cent grade 9) and art, where 54 per cent achieved grade 9 and every single result fell into the A* equivalent, 8-9 tier.

 “These results are some of the best Eltham College has ever seen,” says headmaster Guy Sanderson.

“Our continued strong STEM performance is, of course, immensely important and pleasing, but I am also delighted to see at GCSE – just as in our recent A-level results – such fine outcomes in the arts, languages and humanities.

“At a time when take-up, and funding, of these subjects is dwindling nationally, to see Eltham College students pursuing excellence across a full breadth of subjects is a joy. “

He added: “I send my congratulations to all our outgoing Year 11 students, my best wishes for their every success as they join our Sixth Form, and my thanks to the staff members who have given them tireless and invaluable support.”

 Amongst those celebrating at the school – named Sunday Times London School of the Year 2024 – are:

• Music scholar Timothy, who gained an extraordinary ten grade 9s, while playing a full part in the school’s musical and sporting life. Alongside playing cello, piano and organ, Tim is a keen participant in rugby, cricket and water polo.
• Austin, who achieved a clean sweep of grade 9s, having never taken an exam before arriving in the UK from Hong Kong to join Eltham College in Year 9.
• Boden, with ten grades 7-9, team captain of Eltham College Ski Race Team as London and Kent Champions in 2024, and who was British U16 Schoolboy Slalom Champion 2024 in Wengen, Switzerland.
• Sebastian, whose grades are all in the top tier of 9s and 8s. Sebastian joined Eltham College Junior School in Year 3 and credits the opportunity he was given there to try new instruments with opening up his current musical world. He now plays first violin with the National Youth Orchestra – indeed, earlier this month he joined them on stage at the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms.

 Pictured top: Students digest what looks like good news (Picture: Eltham College)