Public Exam Results
PUBLIC EXAMINATION RESULTS 2025
We are delighted to congratulate both our Upper Sixth and Fifth Form pupils on their achievements in public examinations this year.
Downside, like many institutions, is a non-selective school, and one of its greatest strengths academically is its ability to cater to pupils with a broad range of academic strengths. For this reason, although it is tempting to focus just on the top grades of A* and A at A level, or grades 7-9 at GCSE, the true picture of achievement in public examinations is to be found in the Value Added (VA) scores, which are calculated by an independent, external agency, comparing schools nationally. Value Added scores take each pupil’s prior achievement (performance in aptitude tests for VA scores at GCSE, and GCSE performance for VA scores in the Sixth Form), and predict grades in each subject that pupil is likely to achieve, based on millions of data points from examination candidates nationally in previous years. Where a pupil achieves higher than this predicted grade, the VA score is positive; conversely, if a pupil achieves a lower grade than predicted, the VA score is negative. These scores say much more about a school than examination grades alone. For this reason, we have chosen to share the School’s overall Value Added scores in this report.
UPPER SIXTH (A LEVEL AND BTEC)
This year’s A level and BTEC candidates were 13 years old when the pandemic hit, impacting their transition from primary to secondary education in an unprecedented way. They were the first year group, post-pandemic, for whom GCSE assessment criteria reverted to “normal”. As parents and teachers, we have all expended a lot of mental energy worrying about the impact of the past few years on these pupils, but they, much to their credit, have refused to be defined by external factors and press stories over which they have had no control, and simply buckled down to the task in hand, embracing the educational opportunities and support afforded to them.
Our philosophy at Downside has always been to ensure that our pupils become the best version of themselves, through pursuits in the classroom, in creative arts, in leadership, on the sports field and in other arenas. We know, and we hope our pupils know, that examination results do not define a person, but we must still celebrate some extraordinary performances by our pupils this year, where over a fifth of the year group achieved 3 or more grades of A*/A, or equivalent, in their examinations. We congratulate Alberto on his 4 A* grades, Charlie on securing his place to read Economics and Cambridge, Ella on her place to read Medicine and Oliver to read Veterinary Medicine, but the achievements do not stop there. This year, as usual, Downside pupils have won places to read a wide range of subjects at leading universities, including Law at Durham, Geography at Exeter, Sports Management at Bath, English at York, Social Anthropology at Edinburgh and History at Newcastle, to name just a few.
Headline figures:
- A*-A 31%
- A*-B 49%
- A*-C 72%
Value Added score:
+2.6 (compared to a national average for independent schools of +1.6)
Value Added scores in Business, Chemistry, Physical Education and Further Maths were particularly strong, a reflection of the broad range of subjects in which Downside pupils achieve significantly beyond what may be expected. Chemistry, Physical Education and Further Mathematics were ranked in the top 1% of schools nationally for their Value Added scores, and Business in the top 2% of schools. Many congratulations to both the teachers and pupils in these subjects.
FIFTH FORM (GCSE)
Downside pupils once again celebrated excellent GCSE results, doing themselves and the School proud. Very nearly half of all grades achieved were 9-7 (A*/A in “old money”), and particular congratulations must go to Sofia, Emily, Harriet and Natasza whose grades were all 7, 8 or 9.
The achievements of pupils in French, where 86% of grades were 8 or 9 (equivalent of A*) and Computer Science were especially impressive, and they, and their teachers, are worthy of special mention. However, as the Value Added scores below demonstrate, pupils across the whole year group surpassed expectations, a tribute to their hard work and resilience.
Headline figures:
- 9 – 8 28%
- 9 – 7 49%
- 9 – 4 93%
Value Added score:
+1.1, ranking Downside in the top 1% of schools nationally for Value Added at GCSE. (For comparison, the average VA score for independent schools nationally was +0.86).
Value Added scores in French, German and Computer Science were particularly strong, with all three subjects ranking in the top 1% nationally, closely followed by Art, Geography and Spanish in the top 2% of schools.
If you would like details of performance in public examinations in specific subjects, please contact the Deputy Head (Academic), Mr Richard Rawlins, rrawlins@downside.co.uk.