GCSE success 2026
Hanley Castle High School was filled with cheers, hugs and more than a few tears of relief this morning as Year 11 students opened their GCSE results envelopes. Students, parents and staff gathered to celebrate the achievements of the 2026 cohort, with more than a third of the year group achieving at least one grade 7, 8 or 9.
More than three quarters of the students who sat English achieved a grade four or higher, with almost two thirds of the year group gaining good passes in both English and mathematics. Of those who took the full suite of rigorous English Baccalaureate subjects, three fifths achieved a pass across every single one.
There were some remarkable individual successes, with a number of students achieving top grades right across their subjects. Oliver Black led the way with an incredible ten grade 9s and a grade 8 – a clean sweep of the very highest grades in subjects including sciences, mathematics, languages, humanities and music.
Hot on Oliver’s heels were Milly Hickman with nine grade 9s and a grade 8; Tallulah Read with seven grade 9s, a grade 8, a grade 7 and a Distinction* in ICT; Rowan Goodman with six grade 9s and four grade 8s; and Molly Tranmer with five grade 9s, four grade 8s and a grade 7.
They were closely followed by Sammy Chilton with four grade 9s, five grade 8s and a grade 7; Rorie Millikin with four grade 9s and five grade 8s; and Daisy Helsby with three grade 9s, four grade 8s and two grade 7s.
Of course, there were many more success stories, with strong results across a wide range of subjects and some outstanding individual performances in art, drama, music, religious studies and the vocational courses. A great many students are now looking forward to returning to Hanley Castle for their post-16 studies in September.
Headteacher Mark Stow commented:
“We are absolutely thrilled with the results our students have achieved this year. Many have earned a string of outstanding grades, and it is wonderful to see success right across the curriculum. Just as importantly, we are celebrating every student who has faced challenges, worked hard, and come through with results that reflect their dedication to their studies. Today is about recognising our students’ effort, achievement and progress – and we couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them”.