Secondary schools throughout Oxford learned how their students performed on the 2026 GCSE examinations on Thursday, August 20.

Thousands of young people in the city made their way to their respective institutions this morning to open those crucial envelopes.

There was joy and embraces at Oxford Spires Academy on Glanville Road as students discovered their outcomes.

Serra Seyhan obtained predominantly 7 grades alongside a 9 and a 6, and intends to remain at the school’s sixth form for A-levels.

She expressed happiness about her results, noting that dedication leads to success.

She added that she believes those taking GCSEs often make the exams appear far more significant and anxiety-inducing than they actually are, and that the only approach is simply to get through them, as there is no straightforward method.

She will be continuing at Oxford Spires to study biology, chemistry, mathematics and French.

She noted that most of her peers are also staying on for A-levels, which represents an advantage since she will not be alone.

Her primary ambition involves pursuing a career in STEM, possibly medicine, though she acknowledges this may evolve over time.

Headteacher Louise Cowley stated that they are delighted to mark another year of improved outcomes, with results in English and Mathematics rising and improvements across all subjects, particularly in languages where a new specification was introduced and students performed exceptionally well.

She said it had been wonderful celebrating alongside the students and the teachers who made these accomplishments possible.

At Magdalen College School, 58 percent of all grades reached 9, 83 percent were 9 or 8, and 93 percent were 9, 8 or 7.

Among those celebrating were Jimmie, Lucas, Ruishi, Aidan, Aaron, Finnbar, Jay, Christian, Jonathan and Arthur, each of whom attained ten grade 9s.

Master Helen Pike stated that the school’s Fifth Form students approached their GCSEs with the same energy and commitment they bring to all aspects of school life, and their outstanding examination results are matched by the numerous ways they have enriched the school community beyond their academic studies.

She offered congratulations to them and to the teachers and parents who supported and motivated them throughout.

Greyfriars Catholic School also welcomed students to collect their GCSEs, with some attaining almost complete sets of grade 9s.

Headteacher Lyndsey Caldwell said they take enormous pride in their students and in the determination and resilience reflected in the results they have received.

She noted that they had observed these young people overcome obstacles and accomplish things they can truly be proud of.

She said today they celebrate how far they have progressed and look forward to what comes next, offering an enthusiastic message of support to the school community.

At d’Overbroeck’s, the school marked its highest-ever set of GCSE results, with 41 percent of grades at 9 to 8 and 61 percent at 9 to 7.

Elsa secured outstanding results, including three 9s in chemistry, English language and geography, along with six 8s.

She stated that she is extremely proud of her results, noting that all the teachers at d’Overbroeck’s are incredibly supportive and approachable, and they have given her considerable confidence, while the small class sizes have been tremendously beneficial.

She said she is eager to begin Sixth Form at d’Overbroeck’s.

Ivo attained two 9s in Latin and French alongside four 8s and will also be joining d’Overbroeck’s Sixth Form this September.

He said he has enjoyed his time at the Senior School and that all the staff are wonderfully supportive, and he is looking forward to studying at A-Levels.

Nick Haines, Head of Senior School, said these represent their best-ever GCSE results, and he is tremendously proud of what the students have accomplished.

He noted that what makes these results especially meaningful is witnessing the progress made by every individual student and knowing that all of their Year 11s are now confidently moving on to the next stage of their education.

He offered them every best wish for the future and said they look forward to seeing all that they go on to accomplish.

Oxford High School GDST students are celebrating as over 50 percent of GCSE grades were awarded 9, with 74 percent of all results between 9 and 8.

Cassie, a member of the U16 England touch rugby team, balanced her enthusiasm for the sport with subjects including textiles.

It was in this subject that she was recognised by the OCR examination board as one of the top candidates nationally.

After gaining an impressive eight grades at 9 and 8 overall, she will go on to become a STEM scholar at OHS Sixth Form.

Marina Gardiner Legge, Head of Oxford High School GDST, said today is an opportunity to celebrate not only the grades the students have achieved but also the young women they have become in the process.

She noted they have made an extraordinary variety of contributions to the school and will continue to embrace these opportunities in their Sixth Form.

She expressed gratitude to everyone who has helped guide them within the school community, including the dedicated staff and supportive families.

Over 96.2 percent of students sitting maths and English GCSEs at City of Oxford College and University Centre achieved a pass in this year’s examinations.

Many of the college’s GCSE students are learners who have retaken maths, English or both to continue in education or advance their careers.

Dorcus Kateu, who is 19 and from Oxford, has been studying English Language at City of Oxford College and University Centre and is celebrating after achieving a grade 5.

The 19-year-old said she feels wonderful and that it is amazing. She noted her results were one grade below what she had hoped for, but still within a very acceptable range.

She mentioned being given an opportunity to develop without criticism, and staff members who respond to questions while ensuring students never feel uncomfortable.

She said numerous small details contribute to making this a positive community and environment for growth and development.

Headteacher of The Oxford Academy, Nora Ward, said they are proud of their Year 11 students for the hard work and perseverance they demonstrated throughout their Key Stage 4 studies.

She said as the students move forward, whether continuing into their Sixth Form or pursuing external training, they wish them every success and remain dedicated to supporting all pupils in reaching their full potential.

At Wheatley Park School, 39 percent of all GCSEs were awarded at Grade 7 or above.

Headteacher Tim Martin said they take enormous pride in each and every member of the Class of 2026.

He said whether they are staying on at their Sixth Form or moving on to college or apprenticeships, they wish their Wheatley Parkers every success, hoping they continue to feel connected to the school community.

At Headington Rye, 37.5 percent of all GCSEs taken were graded at 9, the highest possible level.

Nine girls achieved 9s across all their subjects, with ten girls attaining ten or more 9s.

Sophie will study A-levels at Headington Sixth Form after attaining ten 9s, and she said she is very happy to have achieved all 9s for her GCSEs.

She noted that attaining a 9 in English was particularly unexpected, and she is delighted to have received a 9 in further maths.

Among the highest achievers was Victoria, who secured 11 grades at 9 along with an A in the freestanding maths qualification and an A in AS economics.

At Oxford Millwood School, high grades were achieved across a wide range of subjects, with 50 percent or more of students studying maths, English, geography and art obtaining grades 9 to 7.

Headteacher Katie Townsend said their Year 11 students have put in tremendous effort with maturity and dedication, and they are extremely proud of them.

She said they wish them every success as they progress on their educational journeys to sixth forms and colleges.

She also expressed gratitude to the excellent teaching team and the families of their students for their continued and greatly valued support.

At Cheney School, Zoe Heslop achieved a seven in maths, a six in biology, a five in chemistry, a six in physics and a six in classical civilisation.

She said she received slightly lower marks than anticipated, but explained that she had spent two years away from school during Year 7 and Year 8.

She noted the school supported her throughout, and at A-level she will be studying maths, philosophy and economics, with aspirations to pursue classics, as she genuinely enjoys Latin as a subject.

Her classmates Johnny Magill and Omamide Olagundoye were both satisfied with their outcomes, with the pair now going on to study A-levels.

Headteacher Rob Pavey said what they have observed again came as no surprise.

He noted that students who put in hard work performed very well, and this correlates very closely with school attendance.

Therefore, students who attended school regularly and consistently performed extremely well, while those who did not, did not.

He said it is obvious but students who were present and participated in lessons performed very well indeed.