The Gateway Academy is celebrating a record-breaking year of GCSE success, with its 2025 -2026 Year 11 students achieving the highest results in the Academy’s history.

Students delivered exceptional performances across the curriculum, with results in key subjects including English, Maths, Science, History, Languages, Psychology, Dance, Drama, Photography and Art significantly exceeding national averages and an outstanding number of students securing the very highest grades.

Among the headline achievements, 28% of students achieved Grade 7 or above in English, while 26% achieved Grade 7 or above in Maths, equivalent to the former A and A* grades.

The Academy also celebrated an exceptionally high number of prestigious Grade 9s across a wide range of subjects. Grade 9 is the highest grade available at GCSE and is awarded only for the very strongest performance, making the number achieved by Gateway students a particularly impressive reflection of the talent, ambition and hard work of this year’s cohort.

The Academy’s Attainment 8 score, a key national measure of students’ achievement across eight subjects was also above the national average, demonstrating the strength and breadth of achievement across the curriculum.

Together, the results represent an important milestone for The Gateway Academy and reinforce its continued commitment to high expectations, academic excellence and ensuring every young person has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Headteacher Grainne McLaughlin congratulated the Year 11 cohort on their record-breaking achievements and praised the determination they demonstrated throughout their time at the Academy.

“I congratulate our 2025-2026 Year 11 students on the outstanding progress and success they have achieved during their time with us. To achieve the highest results in our Academy’s history is a tremendous accomplishment and one of which our entire community can be incredibly proud.”

Our students have shown remarkable determination, ambition and resilience. The exceptional number of top grades achieved, alongside such strong performances in English, Maths and across the wider curriculum, demonstrates just what our young people are capable of achieving.

But our pride in this year group goes far beyond their academic results. We are proud of every single one of our students and all that they have achieved during their time at Gateway. Most importantly, we are incredibly proud of the wonderful young people they have become. Throughout their journey with us, they have demonstrated the values at the heart of our Academy — responsibility, resilience, compassion and aspiration — and we know they will carry these qualities with them as they take their next steps.”

Ms McLaughlin also paid tribute to the staff, families and wider community who supported students throughout their journey.

“Success on this scale is a collective achievement. Our exceptional staff have worked tirelessly to challenge, encourage and support our students, while the support of parents, carers and our wider community has been invaluable.”

“Together, we have created an Academy where young people are encouraged to aim high, embrace opportunity and fulfil their potential — academically, creatively and personally. These record-breaking results are a wonderful reflection of that shared ambition, but the true measure of our success is seeing our students leave us as confident, compassionate and aspirational young people, ready to make a positive contribution to the world around them. We could not be prouder of them.”

The results mark a historic year for The Gateway Academy and provide a strong foundation as the Academy continues to build on its success, raise aspirations and create opportunities for future generations of students.

Viki Reid, CEO of the Gateway Learning Community (GLC), also commended the students:
"What a wonderful day for our Year 11 students and their families. I am extremely proud of the excellent GCSE results they have achieved. This success is a reflection of the hard work and resilience they've shown both in their academic studies and across their wider achievements. It is also a reflection of our brilliant teachers, our inspirational leaders, and all their parents and carers who have supported them to consistently improve upon their best. We are confident that they will go on to achieve incredible things personally and become active and thriving citizens."

The Gateway Academy’s strong results highlight the academy’s growing reputation for academic achievement and student success, both locally and nationally.