A message from Headmaster – Mr Justin Gomersall
As we look to the start of a new and exciting academic year here at Tettenhall College, we are also reflecting on a summer of success. Specifically at this time, we are delighted with the outcomes secured by our GCSE cohort of pupils this summer, as they look now to commence their onward studies. As my time as Headmaster of this historic school begins, it gives me great pleasure to report the following:
- A record-breaking grade pass rate: More than 95% of all GCSE grades were awarded at grades 9–4—our highest recorded result in a historic dataset covering more than a decade. 29.2% of all grades were awarded at grades 9–7, compared with 23.1% nationally. This places our top-grade performance at 6.1 percentage points above the national figure. Moreover, a quarter of the cohort secured at least five grades at 9–7. Over half of all GCSE grades were awarded at grades 9–6, our strongest recorded performance at this level since 2015.
- Almost 25 percentage points above national: Our 95.4% grade pass rate compares with approximately 71% nationally for 16-year-olds, placing Tettenhall almost 25 percentage points ahead.
- Four in five grades were strong passes: An outstanding 80% of all grades were awarded at grade 5 or above—the College’s highest result at this threshold since the measure was introduced in 2018.
- Significant year-on-year improvement: Compared with 2025, the proportion of grades at 9–4 increased by almost eight percentage points, grades 9–5 rose by nearly seven points and top grades increased by almost four points.
- A remarkable longer-term trajectory: Since the last pre-pandemic examination year, the proportion of grades at 9–4 has risen by more than 12 percentage points, while strong passes have increased by almost 19 points.
- Outstanding regional performance: Our grade pass rate was almost 29 percentage points above the West Midlands figure of approximately 67%. At the top end, almost 30% of our grades were at 9–7, compared with around 20% regionally.
As an academically inclusive school, we are also very proud of the breadth of our pupil’s performances. Seventeen of our nineteen GCSE subjects achieved grade pass rates of at least 90%, whilst eleven subjects achieved a 100% grade pass rate. In nearly half of the GCSE subjects, at least a third of all grades were awarded at grades 9–7. Approximately 92% or more of grades were passes in every core subject area, including English, mathematics and the sciences.
These academic measures of success are not down to good luck. They are a clear and measured reflection of the ambition, determination and resilience shown by our pupils, something we see as their teachers on a daily basis. The expertise and commitment of teaching staff across the College is also clear and it gives me great pride to lead a team who give their all throughout the year to each and every pupil.
Here at Tettenhall College we ensure careful tracking of individual progress, allowing timely and targeted academic intervention, along with regular assessments, focused examination preparation and effective use of feedback. Of course, this only works when there is a strong partnership between pupils, teachers, families, pastoral staff and the boarding community.
I am excited to see what this next academic year brings, and I look forward to hearing from any families who are still considering what environment will bring out the very best in their child.
Tettenhall College is not just about academics. It is a school that creates a culture of ambition, brought to life through a wide range of opportunities, available to our whole community, with character development, a celebration of creativity and a belief in the power of kindness and gratitude, all combining to deliver meaningful individual success.
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