Two tennis players from Oxford have celebrated outstanding GCSE performances alongside their impressive sporting achievements, having reached the national finals on two separate occasions.
Taisia and Aadya, both students at Oxford High School GDST, have excelled academically while maintaining exceptional standards on the tennis court.
The pair collected their GCSE qualifications on Thursday, August 20, with Taisia securing 11 passes and Aadya achieving 9 passes, both earning excellent results.
Their tennis accomplishments contributed to the school receiving the School of the Year honour from the Lawn Tennis Association.
They have also reached the national final stage twice and claimed victory in the School Sport Magazine National Cup.
A school representative stated that following last year’s strong tennis performances, which included U18 National Finalist status in 2025 and U15 Regional Finalist achievements, their U16 tennis team featuring Aadya and Taisia defeated numerous strong opponents to qualify for the Under 16 School Sports Magazine National Finals.
The finals took place on Friday July 3 at Repton School in Derbyshire, where the team faced a challenging opening semi-final match against the host side Repton.
Despite delivering excellent tennis throughout the finals day, the squad fell just three games short of a final place after the match rubbers were level and the outcome was determined by game countback.
In the play-off for third and fourth positions, the players demonstrated their considerable abilities once more, defeating Guildford High School 4-2 to finish an impressive third in the country.
This represents a remarkable accomplishment for the Oxford High School tennis programme and for Taisia and Aadya, who have now appeared in two national finals within two years.
An impressive half of all GCSE grades awarded reached the highest level of Grade 9, with 74 percent of results falling within Grades 9 to 8.
Marina Gardiner Legge, Head of Oxford High School GDST, remarked that this occasion calls for celebration of both the examination results students have attained and the remarkable young women they have developed into during their time at the school.
They have made diverse and significant contributions to school life and will continue to embrace these opportunities within the Sixth Form.
She expressed particular pride in this year group, noting that their intellectual curiosity has been matched by genuine determination and perseverance, with students who began their secondary education in protective social bubbles as a result of the pandemic having flourished into upbeat, assured, and generous young individuals.
She expressed satisfaction that numerous students would be continuing their education in the Sixth Form and ultimately becoming future leaders, and she looks forward to witnessing where their passions and ideas, combined with their aspirations, will lead them.
She thanked all those who have provided guidance within the school community, including the committed teaching staff and families who have offered support.