Published: 16:38, 20 August 2026

Twenty‑four per cent of GCSE grades at St Mary’s School Cambridge were at grade 9 this year, with 46 per cent at 9–8 and 67 per cent at 9–7, making this the school’s strongest results in a decade.

Strong grades were achieved across the curriculum, from Latin and Classical Greek through to design technology and computer science.

English language and English literature also performed strongly, with 70 per cent of grades awarded at 9-7 in both subjects.

Maths and sciences remain the school’s most popular A-level choices overall, bucking the national trend for girls choosing STEM subjects.

The GCSE STEM results were equally strong with design technology returning 83 per cent of grades at 9-8, biology at 67 per cent and computer science at 59 per cent.

Annabel W, who intends to study biology, psychology, geography and English A-levels, said: “At St Mary’s, you can tell every teacher cares about you and wants to support you to achieve your best. I received a great set of grades; I’ve also gained in confidence and made a lot of friendships that will last.”

Niamh G added: “I am delighted with my results and I’m very thankful for my teachers and the support they gave me. I can’t wait to begin my biology, psychology, theology and classics courses at St Mary’s in September.”

Head Hannah Helliar said: “Watching our Year 11 students collect these results has been a real pleasure. Each grade represents a student who has been encouraged to question, explore and discover her own potential.

“For over 125 years, St Mary's has been opening doors for young women, and this year group is walking through them with real confidence. Mary Ward asked women to ‘do much’, and I have no doubt this year group will.”

Dr Paddy Wallace, senior deputy, added: “These results reflect the whole student: academically excellent, intellectually curious and personally resilient. We are delighted to see our students exceeding their own expectations and discovering just how much they are capable of achieving.

“At St Mary’s, we have the privilege of getting to know and understand each student as an individual, supporting them to take on challenges and push themselves further.

“These grades are the foundation for their next steps, and we are immensely proud of what they have achieved. We know they leave us equipped with the confidence, resilience and ambition to succeed.”