GCSE Results 2026: Portsmouth schools celebrate pupils' achievements across the city
Students across the city received their GCSE results this morning
It was a nervous start this morning for students at Priory School and St Edmund’s Catholic School as they queued to get their GCSE results. Many arrived early and were keen to find out how their exams went after an agonising summer of waiting.
Priory School decided not to send students their results online, meaning pupils had to turn up to the school to collect their results at 9am.
“There’s a real sense of community on results day at Priory, and also we want to get alongside our students and celebrate their achievements face to face”, said headteacher Stewart Vaughan.
“But also we think it's important because there will be students who will be disappointed and we want to be alongside them to give them a bit of reassurance and support.”
“We are really really pleased with our results, we have a really solid set of results and within that, some stunning performances by our students,” he said.
Many pupils were absolutely delighted with their results. Brooke Welch, who was the first to arrive at the school to receive her results, said she was “really, really happy”.
“I have done better than I had before and better than I ever thought I could have,” she said.
Nathaneal Leader, who had been very nervous to receive his results slip, said: “I have passed everything! That is all I could ever want really. I was worried about the English language exam but I got a 5!”
Isobelle Capon was delighted to find out that she passed all of her exams. She had struggled throughout her time at the Priory school and had to stop attending due to severe anxiety for 18 months. But, Isobelle was not going to let that stop her from smashing her GCSES.
“Studying was definitely hard work but it was so worth it,” she said. Her mum Vicky said: “She really worked so hard, I am so proud.”
Now that she has her excellent results, Isobelle is going to study forensic science at Chichester College next year. “I find it so interesting,” she said.
Jaiden Angeles found the last few months of revising “so hard” but said: “It’s all paid off. I am so happy. I am going to study engineering, maths and digital design at college. I am so excited!”
St Edmunds Catholic School released their results at 10am, and were also going to use a new app they had designed to send students their results later in the day.
“We still feel it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come together with people you have grown up with to celebrate your results,” said headteacher Simon Graham.
The school received excellent results, with 64% of maths and English grades returned as a five or above, well above the national average.
The results hall was very busy and was full of success stories. One pupil at the school triumphed in exam season despite suffering with a condition that means she faints frequently.
Jagoda Kurakowska worked hard to study for her GCSEs, and hopes to become a doctor in the future. However, her condition made it harder for her than most during exam season.
“On my way to the computer science exam I passed out,” said Jagoda. She fainted only minutes before the exam was due to start. Despite this, she was determined to not let this stop her from taking the exam she had worked so hard for.
“I still sat the exam and got a 9,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“I felt very tired during the exam but I get rest breaks, so I took a lot of breaks and that helped me,” she said. Jagoda passed all of her GCSEs and is going on to study biology, computer science and chemistry at A-level.
Tomasz Zelezny was certain he had failed his history GCSE before he opened his results envelope, only to find he had received a grade of 8. “I have never got above a 6 before, I did loads of past papers to revise.”
His friend, Enrico Trapani, had felt his exams went well after he sat them, but felt less sure as summer went on. However, he was happy to find out that his results were “really good”.
“Last year in English I got a six, but I worked hard and now this year I got a 9!” he said.
Ben Morrison received history-making results, receiving 9s in every exam he sat - a first for the school. He said he felt “relieved”.
“The exams went as I hoped they would, I was hoping to get 9s,” he said. To celebrate, he was heading to college that afternoon to enrol to study maths, further maths, physics and economics.
“I was to do something in the future to do with maths and technology,” he said.
Ark Charter Academy celebrated the third consecutive year of improving grades. Principal Christian Down said: "This is now the third consecutive year in which students at Ark Charter have achieved strong outcomes, demonstrating the culture of aspiration and achievement that exists throughout our school. Every student should feel proud of what they have accomplished and excited about the opportunities that now lie ahead of them."
Millie Cregan, who attended Ark Charter Academy, was “so pleased” to open her fantastic results, achieving multiple grade 9s including in English and Combined Science.
"I now look forward to college, and hopefully a great future job,” she said.
The Portsmouth Academy also saw increases in their results, with the number of students achieving a strong pass of grade 5 or higher in English and maths increasing by 5%.
Headteacher Sarah Dedman said: “We are incredibly proud of our students, and the exam results they have achieved this year. These outcomes reflect the hard work, determination and resilience our young people have shown throughout their studies, and it is fantastic to see the improvements we have made continue to grow.
Josh Reid achieved a grade 9 in eight subjects and a grade 8 in another as well as passing additional qualifications in both Level 2 Further Maths and Level 3 Algebra.“I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me at TPA over the years. I am over the moon with my results,” he said.
Castle View Academy saw an improvement in results across the board. Principal Catherine Barker said: “This is a very important day for all of our students receiving their results and I would like to congratulate them on their hard work and achievement.
“These results demonstrate the progress that is underway at Castle View and our ambition for each student.”
There were many high achievers at the school. Bakhita got all 9s and 8s in her results and said: “I'm happy with all my results and very proud of myself. I'm looking forward to starting college.”
Portsmouth High School also received fantastic grades, with almost half of all grades being a 9/A*. 94% of grades were A*-B equivalent.
“We are delighted, once again, to celebrate an exceptional set of GCSE results achieved by our pupils,’ said headteacher Sarah Parker. “These successes are a testament to their commitment and perseverance, the outstanding support of our teaching staff, and the culture of ambition and hard work that is embedded throughout the school.”
Twins who attend the school, Hettie and Molly, gained 20 top grades between them. “There was lots of dedication to revision,” said Molly. “Support from friends and studying together to try and make it fun, was definitely a factor in getting today’s results. That, and lots of snacks!”
Her twin, Hettie, said: “We mainly revised together, but there was lots of revision with friends too and we have had amazing support from teachers.” Both sisters will return to the school to attend sixth form.
City of Portsmouth College, which offers both GCSEs and Level 2-equivalent qualifications, had 35 subjects with 100% pass rates, there were 35 subjects with a 100% pass rate,
including those including art and design, IT, health and social care, business administration, animal care and plastering.
Principal and CEO, Katy Quinn, said: “Today has been a wonderful day for everyone at City of Portsmouth College – the culmination of a lot of hard work and determination, for our ever-growing cohort of students as well as our talented staff.
Rasoul Ebrahim got a grade 7 in English after only one year of study. It is his first ever UK qualification and will allow him to progress to study sciences at College and pursue his dream of becoming a paramedic.
“I loved my time at City of Portsmouth College,” said Rasoul, who is Kurdish-Iranian. “I made new friends, the atmosphere was great and the teachers are lovely. I’m feeling really good.”
UTC Portsmouth said their students’ attainment was above the national average for the fourth consecutive year, with more than half of students achieving a grade 5 or above in both English and maths while three-quarters had a grade 4 or above in both subjects.
Principal James Doherty said: “To remain above the national average for a fourth consecutive year demonstrates the consistently high standards our students and staff work towards every day. We have also seen excellent performance across our specialist STEM subjects. These results give our students a strong foundation for the next stage of their education and future career paths.”