Croydon High School has confirmed its commitment to encouraging every pupil to work hard and to aim high, announcing excellent GCSE results for the 2023 cohort.

Interestingly, this GCSE cohort has doubled in size over the last four years and the school is delighted to report that academic rigour combined with a personalised approach is certainly being sustained as the school continues to grow.

Head Annabel Davies said:

“We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating the individual journeys of these impressive young women, as well as the GCSE results they have achieved.  We recognise their hard work, dedication and focus and we know that each of them will be determined to build on these strengths as they go forward.

I would also like to publicly recognise all the staff here at Croydon High for their unrelenting support of each and every girl, every day. Our school is growing in every sense and I am so proud of the relationships forged between pupils and staff, which make it such an inspiring environment in which to work and learn.”

The range of subjects studied at GCSE reflects the diversity of interest which is such a feature of Croydon High life, and the school is particularly proud to recognise the journeys that many of their pupils have been on, bringing them to this point, where they can proudly celebrate these impressive GCSE results.

The majority of pupils at Croydon High take Triple Award Science and here the results are particularly strong, with 88% of pupils awarded Grades 7-9 (A*/A in the old currency) in Biology and Chemistry and 89% awarded Grades 7-9 in Physics. English Literature grades were exceptional – 93% of all pupils achieved Grades 7-9 and in Latin this figure was an outstanding 100%.

For a school that is renowned for its sporting achievements, it is pleasing to see that 82% of pupils sitting PE GCSE were awarded the top Grades 7-9.

With so many stories to tell and limited space here, it is of course appropriate for the school to particularly acknowledge those pupils who have achieved the highest grades, whilst recognising that individual achievements come in many forms.

Huge congratulations go to Malina, Tara and Ananya who have all been awarded straight Grade 9s across all subjects. All three are outstanding students and over the last five years have also contributed a great deal to the life of the school in terms of their academic and co-curricular endeavours.

Malina is looking forward to studying German, French, Politics and English Literature in the Sixth Form at Croydon High with a view to applying to Oxbridge for languages and then go on to a career in Diplomacy and International Relations. That is the long term plan – but today she plans to go and see the Barbie film and then perhaps enjoy some of the ‘deals’ restaurants are offering to those celebrating GCSE results!

Malina said “I am so excited to be joining the Sixth Form at Croydon High and look forward to putting all  my energy into studying the subjects I love.”

Proud mum, Mrs Majewska was quick to praise her daughter’s work ethic but also to credit the school with everything they have done to support her to get the best possible results.

“With all the speculation in the media about grade boundaries and so on, I must admit to feeling a little apprehensive. But Malina reminded me of how much trust she has in her teachers and the school and in the way they have prepared their students – and of course, she was right! We are very proud and very appreciative”.

In addition, Croydon High is exceptionally proud to acknowledge those pupils who have achieved straight 8 or 9 Grades across all subjects. Hannah, Afra, Milly, Gisela, Isla, Anaya, Lucy R, Anisha and Prakruti are all to be congratulated wholeheartedly for their efforts and for these impressive results.

Isla has been a lead member of the Croydon High Astrogazers Club who planned and implemented the exciting launch of a weather balloon into space last year. Isla clearly relished this opportunity and is looking forward to embracing all that Croydon High’s Sixth Form has to offer. She plans to study Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry and Maths for A Level and is considering going on to read Medicine.

Penelope is Croydon High through and through, having joined the school in Nursery and all who know her would agree that she was always destined to succeed. Her hard work and commitment to everything she takes on; an incredible contributor to the co-curricular life of the school in many areas and her prowess on piano and trombone have enhanced so many musical occasions.

Penelope said:

“I’m really happy with my results and I’m really grateful to Croydon High for fulfilling my potential over the last few years.  I’m looking forward to September and doing French, Spanish, Politics and English Literature for my A Levels.”

We know she will continue to give her best in everything. Well done Penelope!

Lily-Belle brings a special kind of energy to school life, and always brings a smile! A fantastic role model for her peers and a true all-rounder, Lily-Belle will undoubtedly be a huge asset to the Sixth Form.

Lily-Belle said:

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and really grateful for all the support that I’ve had from Croydon High and I’m looking forward to moving into the Sixth Form.”

We look forward to seeing where her talents will take her and feel sure her future is as bright as that smile!

Chloé’s outstanding performance at GCSE comes as no surprise to her teachers, her commitment to learning and her determination is second to none, but she combines this with incredible leadership qualities which will stand her in good stead in the Sixth Form.  Chloé is also the proud holder of an Academic Bursary, awarded as a result of her outstanding performance at our Year 7 Entrance Tests back in 2019. Chloe is rightly very proud to be a role model in this regard and wants to continue to inspire others to aspire without limits.

Chloé’s mum expressed this perfectly, saying:

“We are so incredibly grateful to Croydon High for all they have done to support Chloé right from the very beginning. They saw her potential when others may not have and they have offered her life-changing opportunities. Having lived in Selsdon for 30 years, I never dreamed that my daughter would be a pupil at this amazing school.”

Chloé goes on to study English Literature, Latin, Computer Science and History at A Level – the sky’s the limit Chloé!

Suraya has also always been a shining example to her peer group, not least in the way she has approached all her academic studies and this has certainly paid off with outstanding results, including Grade 9s in all three sciences. Evie’s contribution to school life also goes way beyond the academic, including her huge support to the Drama department both on and off the stage and as a leading light in school productions.  Ella too represents the very best of Croydon High; high aspiration and hard work. Congratulations to all of them.

It has been an outstanding year for the sciences at Croydon High,with significant achievements across the curriculum and in an inspiring range of co-curricular activities.  With a continuing narrative surrounding the gender balance, in terms of girls both opting for and excelling in STEM subjects, Croydon High is clearly bucking the trend.

An outstanding 89% of grades achieved in the STEM subjects,  Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Computer Science, are at the highest Grades 7-9

Indeed, 90% of pupils studying Computer Science were awarded exceptional Grades 8-9 with 93% of Biologists achieving Grades 7-9. No gender stereotypes here, it would seem.

And pupils in other subjects too are delivering exceptional results, with Music, Latin, Computer Science and German delivering 100% Grades 7-9.

The mood in the Senior Hall was certainly celebratory with parents keen to acknowledge the hard work of both pupils and staff. The reaction of Thea’s mum:

“I am thankful for the amount of support she has had. The amazing teaching and the all-girls environment has allowed her to really thrive.”

Congratulations to all of the inspiring GCSE Class of 2024 and our very best wishes for the next stage of your journey.

*All Grades and percentages correct as of 22.8.24