GCSE Results Day 2025: Derby Cathedral School celebrates record improvements in GCSE results
Derby Cathedral School sees remarkable progress in GCSE results, especially for disadvantaged and SEND students, achieving record highs in English and Maths.
Derby Cathedral School has achieved one of its strongest GCSE results to date, including best ever outcomes in Maths.
Overall results show improvement compared to last year, with the most notable progress seen among disadvantaged students and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
A record 35.6% of students gained grade 5 or above in English and Maths – the school’s best-ever outcome.
Headteacher Jenny Brown said: “We are immensely proud of our students and staff for these fantastic results.
“It is especially pleasing to see such strong improvements for our disadvantaged and learners with SEND.
“Every single student has gained qualifications that will support them in their next steps, whether that’s further study, training, or employment.
“These results are a testament to their hard work, resilience and the dedication of our staff.”
All students at Derby Cathedral School achieved at least one GCSE grade, ensuring that every young person leaves with a qualification.
Many of the Year 11 cohort are expected to continue their education at the school’s growing Sixth Form, which recently celebrated excellent results from its first group of students last week.
Seventeen-year-old Natalia Obinwa achieved an outstanding set of results, including two grade 9s, four grade 8s and three grade 7s – an accomplishment made even more remarkable given that she has been in the UK for just two years.
She said: “I was at school in Nigeria until two years ago which is very different.
“You have to be a much more independent learner over there as there isn’t so much support from the teachers.”
Natalia now intends to study A-Levels in Law, English Literature, Criminology and Economics and hopes to follow in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a lawyer.
Matthew Rynn, 16, picked up three grade 8s, three grade 7s and four grade 6s.
He hopes to become a doctor and is staying on at the school to take A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Business.
Nathan Hopwell, 16, got one grade 7, six grade 6s, two grade 5s and a grade 4.
He is staying on at the school to take A-Levels in Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths.
Nathan said: “I would like to become a nuclear physicist or a professional footballer. I play for Sherwood Colliery and we’re in the FA Youth Cup – so I’m keeping my options open.”