Celebrating another fantasic year of GCSE results

Cundall Manor School’s ‘Class of 2025’ have set the standard for their juniors with an excellent set of GCSE results, including a doubling in the number of the highest grades (9) achieved. The proportion of top grades (7–9) has risen sharply from 30% in 2024 to 42% in 2025, while the overall pass rate reached 87% – significantly above the national average of 70.4%. Cundall Manor is a non-selective independent school, located between Ripon and Thirsk, with a determined focus on the holistic development of each child. Headmaster Simon Weale said:

“It is important for our pupils to be able to obtain these top grades, as many are hoping to join competitive courses at the best independent and state settings. When you meet our senior students, it is often easy to forget they are only 16. They are confident and caring young women and men who are looking forward to the next stage of their education. They have all been given leadership opportunities by the Cundall team, and the unique and intimate experience at the school has tested them with a range of challenges both inside and outside the classroom. This will allow them to thrive in their Sixth Form or College studies. We all look forward to seeing where their journey takes them.”

This year, every Year 11 pupil at Cundall passed their English Language GCSE (compared to the national average of 61%), and the same benchmark was also achieved in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Art, Computer Science, Drama, Design Technology, Geography, History and Music. There is strong demand for Cundall pupils across North Yorkshire and beyond. Among the many success stories are Jack, who achieved six grade 9s, including Maths, and will be joining St Peter’s, York, alongside Annabel (Joint Head Girl), who has her sights set on a career as a professional footballer and will study A level PE, Biology, Geography and Psychology – subjects in which she achieved top grades of 9s and 8s. Ava, whose results including four grade 9s and three grade 8s, is heading to Yarm, while several pupils will be moving on to Ripon Grammar School, including Millie (Joint Head Girl) who gained 11 GCSEs, and Andrew, an aspiring engineer who achieved 9s in both DT and Physics, which will help him fulfil his ambitions. Head of Senior School, Ian Swannell, added:

“We are thrilled that our pupils’ positive attitude to learning and their hard work have paid off, resulting in a set of achievements that every one of them should be proud of.”

The average Cundall Manor grade had a value added score of 1.1, meaning pupils achieved, on average, more than a full grade higher across all of their subjects. with some pupils achieving the equivalent of almost three grades higher in some subjects. The school welcomes families to discover more about the exceptional education on offer at its Open Morning: Friday 26th September.