GCSE Success Stories 2026 (ID 1051)

• Elisa, former Old Ford Primary School pupil
  Elisa, former Old Ford Primary School pupil

  Elisa's GCSE success is the result of hard work, determination and making the most of every opportunity. She achieved a phenomenal set of results, including grade 9s in Further Maths, Chemistry, English Language, Physics, Biology, History, RE, Maths, Drama and Media Studies, alongside a grade 8 in English Literature.

  Over the moon with her results, Elisa was especially proud of her achievements in Further Maths and Drama, subjects where she pushed herself beyond her comfort zone and developed her confidence. As a prefect and an active participant in the school's extracurricular programme, Elisa embraced opportunities that helped her grow personally as well as academically. She credits her Science and Maths teachers for inspiring her love of learning and encouraging her to aim high.

  Next year, Elisa will join LAE to study Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and English Literature, with ambitions to pursue Chemistry at university and build a future in the field.

  “If I could sum up my time at Bow School in three words, they would be adventure, hard work and exciting!”

• Amy, former Culloden Primary School pupil
  Amy, former Culloden Primary School pupil

  When Amy opened her GCSE results, she could hardly believe what she was seeing…a suite of grade 9s (x4) and 8s (x5) as well as a Distinction* in Music. With plans to study A Level Economics, Maths, English and Music at NCS, Amy has her sights set on a future career in finance.

  The result that meant the most to Amy was her grade 9 in Physics, reflecting the commitment and effort she invested throughout her studies. Looking back, she believes one of the most valuable lessons she has learned is that hard work really pays off, no matter where you start. Amy credits her Economics teacher with inspiring her academic journey and helping her develop both confidence and ambition. She added:

  “Bow is special because of the relationships I've built with both my peers and my teachers. Having those strong relationships has been an important part of my time here.”

• Risita, moved from abroad
  Risita, moved from abroad

  Having joined Bow after moving to the UK from abroad, Risita achieved an outstanding set of GCSE results including grade 9s in Further Maths, Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Physics, Maths, RE, Combined Science and DT, alongside grade 8s in English Language and Citizenship.

  Particularly proud of her achievements in Maths and Further Maths, Risita says the results are a reflection of the hard work and determination she has invested throughout her studies. She speaks warmly about the support she received from her teachers, especially within the science department, and says her time at Bow has shown her just how much can be achieved through perseverance and dedication. Next year, Risita will join LAE to study Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics at A Level, with ambitions to pursue a career linked to technology or mathematics.

  “The hard work pays off in the end. I've really enjoyed my time here, and it's been rewarding to see the results of all that effort.”

• Ayyaz, former Marner Primary School pupil
  Ayyaz, former Marner Primary School pupil

  A remarkable transformation and a commitment to improvement have earned Ayyaz an exceptional set of GCSE results including 999988877. Most proud of his Combined Science grades, Ayyaz reflected on the progress he made throughout his studies, improving from grade 5s to grade 9s!

  He credits his science teacher for providing the guidance and resources that helped him unlock his potential and says his biggest discovery has been learning just how quickly things can change when you fully commit to your goals. Ayyaz will continue his studies at Bow Sixth Form where he plans to study BTEC Business before progressing to university or a degree apprenticeship, with ambitions of building a career in finance or business.

  “I'm absolutely over the moon. I'm so happy with my results and it was an amazing feeling to open them. Bow has a great environment, good facilities and good teachers. Having all three together makes it a really positive place to learn.”

• Athik, former Old Palace Primary School pupil
  Athik, former Old Palace Primary School pupil

  Athik was delighted to open his results to reveal that he had achieved four grade 9s in Physics, English Language, Maths and Computer Science, two grade 8s in Chemistry and History, alongside two grade 7s in English Literature and RE.

  Particularly proud of securing a grade 9 in Maths after working hard to improve from a previous grade 8, Athik credits his determination and the support of his teachers for helping him achieve his goals. He will now study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Economics at A Level, with aspirations to pursue a career in engineering or finance after university.

  “The community is what makes the school so special. If I could sum up my time here in a couple of words, they would be exhilarating and fun!”

• Ismail, former Old Palace Primary School pupil
  Ismail, former Old Palace Primary School pupil

  Ismail achieved an impressive collection of GCSE grades including four grade 9s in Chemistry, History, Maths and Computer Science; two grade 8s in Biology and Physics; and a grade 7 in English Language.

  Commenting on how the sciences didn't always come naturally to him, Ismail is particularly proud of his grade 9 in Chemistry, achieved through dedication, independent study and determination. Ismail is delighted that his results have secured his place at Bow Sixth Form to study Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science and Chemistry at A Level, with ambitions to pursue a future in mathematics or finance.

  “The teachers really care about you. Even though they're teaching a whole class, the support can still feel very personal. I think that's what makes Bow special. I feel like I've really grown during my time here. I've become more independent and much more confident.”

• Seray, former Old Ford Primary School pupil
  Seray, former Old Ford Primary School pupil

  Seray is celebrating an excellent set of GCSE results including three grade 9s in French, History and RE; four grade 8s in English Literature, English Language, Chemistry and Business Studies; two grade 7s in Physics and Biology; and a grade 6 in Maths.

  She is especially proud of her progress in Physics, improving from a grade 5 to a grade 7 through hard work and perseverance. Inspired by the encouragement of her teachers, Seray will continue her studies in French, Economics and Psychology and hopes to combine her passion for languages, business and travel in a future international career.

  “The teachers really push you to achieve your best, while also being incredibly supportive. That support has helped me get the grades I have, and it's a big part of what makes the school special. The amazing friends and teachers have been such an important part of my journey. I feel more career-ready and professional, and the support from teachers has helped me become the best version of myself.”

• Malaki, former Old Ford Primary School pupil
  Malaki, former Old Ford Primary School pupil

  Malaki secured an incredible 99888888766 across his Maths, French, Biology, Physics, English Language, Further Maths, Geography, Computer Science, Chemistry, English Literature and RE studies.

  One of Malaki's proudest achievements was securing a grade 8 in Further Maths. Having joined the course later than many of his peers, he found it one of the most challenging subjects, making the result both impressive and rewarding. Malaki credits the support and encouragement of his teachers. He highlighted Mr Smallwood, his English teacher, and the Maths department as having a particularly positive influence, praising their passion, expertise and commitment to helping students thrive.

  Looking ahead, Malaki plans to study Physics, Maths and Further Maths at A Level before pursuing his ambition of studying Astrophysics at university. With Cambridge firmly in his sights, he is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.

  “What makes Bow special is the relationships you build with the teachers. They're really friendly and approachable, and you feel like you can speak to them as people, not just about academics. The sports and facilities are great too, and there's such a lively, energetic atmosphere. It's somewhere you can really flourish.

• Ocean, moved from abroad
  Ocean, moved from abroad

  Ocean secured an impressive set of GCSE results, achieving a grade 9 in Mandarin alongside a string of grade 8s across Physics, Chemistry, Spanish, Mathematics, Geography and Computer Science, and grade 7s in Further Mathematics, Biology and English Literature.

  Amongst his strong performances, Ocean is particularly proud of achieving a grade 7 in Further Mathematics, describing it as one of the most challenging subjects studied. He will continue his Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Geography studies at A Level, with aspirations to progress to a leading university and pursue a career in engineering.

  Having joined Bow School after attending primary school in Hong Kong, Ocean has embraced every opportunity available, both inside and outside the classroom. From dedicated support in the classroom to enrichment activities and extra-curricular opportunities, he feels the school provides an environment where young people can truly grow and succeed both academically and personally. One experience that stands out is the influence of a teacher who consistently challenged him to aim higher. While that approach initially felt demanding, Ocean later recognised it as a sign of belief in his potential and a key factor in helping him achieve his goals.

  “If I could sum up my time at the school in three words, they would be transformative, challenging and rewarding. The most surprising thing that I've learnt is how resilient I actually am. Even when things were stressful, I still managed to push through and improve.”

• Oluwatufunmi, former Clara Grant Primary School pupil
  Oluwatufunmi, former Clara Grant Primary School pupil

  A passion for languages, a love of science and a determination to succeed have helped Oluwatufunmi achieve an outstanding set of GCSE results including 998887777 and a Double Distinction.

  Particularly proud of achieving a grade 9 in French, Oluwatufunmi credits the dedication and support of his teachers for helping him reach his goals. Their encouragement has inspired him to continue studying French at A Level alongside Chemistry and Geography. Reflecting on his time at Bow, Oluwatufunmi says he has learned how to persevere through challenges and manage pressure without losing sight of his ambitions. He describes the school as a place where students are supported to believe in themselves and achieve more than they thought possible.

  With aspirations to become a research scientist, Oluwatufunmi is excited to begin the next stage of his education and continue building on his academic success.

  “Bow is special because there is such a positive atmosphere and the teachers are so supportive. I've felt supported by all my teachers, and that makes a real difference.”

• Iyaz, former Marner Primary School pupil
  Iyaz, former Marner Primary School pupil

  Iyaz's fantastic 9877777776 grades represent much more than academic achievement, they reflect just how far he has come during his time at Bow School. He will continue his studies at Bow Sixth Form, taking Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science at A Level, with aspirations of a career in electrical engineering through either university or a degree apprenticeship.

  Iyaz is particularly proud of his Chemistry result. Having not expected to achieve a grade 9, he put in extra work and was delighted to see that effort rewarded. But for Iyaz, one of the biggest achievements of his time at Bow has been his personal growth. He describes becoming “a completely different person”, developing greater confidence, stronger communication and leadership skills, as well increased resilience.

  “The teachers are what make Bow so special. They've played such a big part in my experience here. If you put yourself out there and make the most of the opportunities, you can do really well. I'm really proud to be a Bow student and proud of the person I've become. My younger self wouldn't believe where I am now.”

• Farhan, former Old Palace Primary School pupil
  Farhan, former Old Palace Primary School pupil

  Farhan is celebrating a strong set of GCSE results after years of dedication, resilience and hard work. Among his achievements are grade 8s in Physics, Biology, English Literature, Chemistry and Maths, alongside grade 7s in English Language, Business Studies, History, RE and DT.

  Farhan was particularly delighted with his grade 8 in Maths, having never previously achieved higher than a grade 7. Seeing that improvement reflected in his final results made the achievement especially rewarding. Reflecting on his time at Bow School, Farhan credits his teachers with helping him believe in his own potential. He says one of the biggest lessons he has learned is that with determination and consistent effort, goals that once seemed out of reach can become reality.

  In September, Farhan hopes to continue his studies Maths, Physics and Chemistry studies at sixth form, with ambitions to pursue mechanical engineering in the future.

  “The teachers make Bow special. They push you hard to be better and encourage you to keep improving. If I could sum up my time at the school in three words, they would be fun, amazing and great!”