Gateacre School is celebrating a significant milestone in the improvement of its Sixth Form, following the strongest set of Key Stage 5 outcomes in the school’s history.

The 2026 results demonstrate substantial improvement across both academic and vocational pathways, with students achieving higher grades and, importantly, making significantly stronger progress from their starting points (the Value Added) – see table below for more information.

Headline measure	2025	2026	Change
L3 Average Points per Entry	28.85	34.42	+5.57
L3 Average Grade	C-	C+	↑
L3 Average Points per Pupil	88.91	103.52	+14.61
L3 Value Added	-0.08	+0.52	+0.60
A Level Average Points per Entry	27.69	34.09	+6.40
A Level Average Grade	C-	C+	↑
A Level VA	-0.18	+0.46	+0.64
Best 3 A Levels	30.56	38.10	+7.54
Best 3 Average Grade	C	B	↑
Academic VA	-0.17	+0.43	+0.60
Applied General Grade	Dist-	Dist-	Maintained
Applied General VA	+0.18	+0.53	+0.35
Tech Level Grade	Merit+	Dist+	Significant ↑
Tech Level points per entry	28.33	39.06	+10.73

Overall, the Level 3 average grade has risen to C+, compared with C- in 2025, while Average Points per Entry has increased from 28.85 to 34.42. Most significantly, Level 3 Value Added has risen from -0.08 to +0.52, providing strong evidence that students are achieving considerably more than would have been expected from their prior attainment.

The improvement is evident across the curriculum. A Level Value Added has risen to +0.46, with the average A Level grade improving from C- to C+. Best 3 A Level performance has also reached B, its highest level in the recent performance series.

Technical education has been another major success. Technical Level performance has improved from Merit+ to Dist+, with points per entry rising from 28.33 to 39.06. This improvement has been achieved while the number of Technical entries has increased significantly, demonstrating the strength and growing importance of the school’s broad Sixth Form offer.

The results also include some exceptional individual performances with profiles such as:

• A*, B and C, and this pupil will go on to study Physiotherapy at the University of Manchester.
• A, A and B, and this pupil will go on to study English Literature at the University of Liverpool.
• A, A and B, and this pupil will go on to study English Language at the University of Liverpool.
• B, B, and B, and this pupil will go on to study International Relations and Military History at Aberystwyth University.

These individual achievements are particularly impressive because they sit alongside a wider story of improvement of a transformed Sixth Form.

 

Principal, Nabil Jamil, reflects:

“I am incredibly proud of our students and staff. These results represent a significant milestone in our Sixth Form journey and demonstrate the impact of the hard work, ambition and commitment of our whole community.

What is particularly pleasing is that our students have not simply achieved higher grades; they have made significantly stronger progress from their starting points. Our ambition is clear: to be the very best Sixth Form we can be, and we are determined to get there.

These results give us a strong platform to build on. We will continue to raise expectations, nurture excellence and ensure every student is supported to achieve their very best. I would like to congratulate all of our students and staff on this outstanding achievement.

The 2026 results mark an important new stage in the Sixth Form’s development. Having moved from historically weak outcomes, through stabilisation and into sustained improvement, Gateacre is now focused on building further excellence while continuing to grow its Sixth Form provision.

You will see how this marries with the recent inspection outcome in 2026 for the Sixth Form. The message from 2026 is clear: the trajectory has changed, the foundations are strong, and Gateacre’s ambition is to go further still.”

There's still time to apply to join our Sixth Form in September – here's how to apply.