Outstanding GCSE Results at One of Yorkshire’s Only All-Girls Schools
47% of Grades Awarded at 9-7
Pupils at Queen Mary’s School, one of Yorkshire’s only all-girls schools, are celebrating an outstanding set of GCSE results. 47% of grades were awarded 7-9, and a third of all grades achieved for the year were 8-9. The results reflect the exceptional progress made by pupils at the non-selective school. Girls have also secured places at their first-choice Sixth Forms and specialist colleges across Yorkshire and beyond.
Queen Mary’s is particularly celebrating the exceptional progress made by its pupils. The school’s Value Added score of +0.8 means that, on average, pupils achieved almost a full grade higher across their subjects than expected – a remarkable achievement that reflects the school’s commitment to ensuring every girl fulfils her potential, whatever her starting point.
Headmistress, Fe Beadnell, said:
“Many congratulations to our Year 11 pupils on their outstanding GCSE results. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved.
As a non-selective school, these results are especially significant because they demonstrate the outstanding progress our pupils make during their time at Queen Mary’s. Every girl is known as an individual, challenged to aim high and supported to achieve beyond what she thought possible.
Our Value-Added score of +0.8 is a wonderful reflection of the dedication of our pupils, the expertise of our teachers and the exceptional pastoral care that underpins everything we do. It shows the real difference a Queen Mary’s education makes, with girls leaving us having achieved, on average, a grade higher than expected across their GCSEs.”
While today’s results celebrate academic achievement, Queen Mary’s believes education is about preparing girls for life beyond examinations. Through its leadership programme, adventure education and outstanding pastoral care, girls develop the confidence, resilience and independence to embrace new opportunities and fulfil their potential.
Among those celebrating today is Head Girl, Rose Cornford, who will join Ampleforth College on an academic and dance scholarship to study Maths, Biology and Chemistry before pursuing her ambition of becoming a veterinary surgeon. Jervaulx House Captain, Scarlett Cundall is progressing with a scholarship to Stowe School, where she hopes to pursue a career in medicine, while Ava Sheldon-Cooper will continue to St Peter’s School to study Maths, History and Physics, with aspirations of a future in engineering or international relations. Other pupils are heading to destinations including Ripon Grammar School, specialist colleges and leading Sixth Forms across the country to pursue subjects ranging from business and politics to the humanities.
Reflecting on her time at Queen Mary’s, Rose said:
“Becoming Head Girl was always a dream I never believed I was confident enough to achieve, but Queen Mary’s really helped me come out of my shell. Family is everything here. I’ll always treasure the friendships, opportunities, and memories I’ve made.”
Ava Sheldon-Cooper added:
“At Queen Mary’s, I never had to worry whether STEM subjects were for me. Being in an all-girls environment gave me the confidence to excel in the subjects I love and inspired me to pursue a future in science. The school gave me the space and support to not only grow but thrive in whatever I chose.”
Fe Beadnell added:
“We want every girl to leave Queen Mary’s not only with excellent qualifications but with the confidence to become whoever she wants to be. Academic success is incredibly important, but it is only part of the story. Through leadership opportunities, adventurous experiences and outstanding pastoral support, we help our pupils develop the skills, character and self-belief they will carry with them throughout their lives.
“We are delighted that our Year 11 pupils have secured places at their first-choice Sixth Forms across Yorkshire and beyond. We know they will continue to flourish and make a positive contribution wherever their next steps take them.”
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Post-GCSE Destinations
The Year 11 girls of Queen Mary’s School’s 2026 class have secured first-choice places at numerous prestigious institutions, including Ampleforth College, Barnard Castle School, Bootham School, Durham Sixth Form Centre, Harrogate Grammar School, Leeds Maths School, Milton Abbey School, Ripon Grammar School, Sedburgh School, Shrewsbury School, St. Peter’s School, Stowe School, Yarm School, Askham Bryan College, Harrogate College, Scarborough College, and York College. We wish them all the best with the next step in their educational journeys.
HER VOICE: Leadership for Girls
From the earliest years, pupils develop confidence, resilience and independence through the school’s leadership programme, which encourages every girl to discover her strengths, embrace responsibility and find her own voice. This is complemented by Queen Mary’s adventure programme, where girls challenge themselves through outdoor education, teamwork and problem-solving experiences that build resilience, courage and character.
Girls from across Yorkshire are invited to experience Queen Mary’s distinctive approach to developing confident young leaders at the school’s Leadership Experience Day on Thursday 25 September. Open to girls in Years 4 to 6, the one-day event offers interactive leadership challenges, the opportunity to meet current pupils, and discover how Queen Mary’s helps girls develop the confidence, character, and ambition to become whoever and whatever they want to be.
Find out more and register here for HER VOICE ’26.
Queen Mary’s School Next Open Day
The school is also open for personal visits during its Open Morning on Saturday 3 October. Register here.
The school also offers personalised visits throughout the week all throughout the year. Contact admissions@queenmarys.org to organise a tour.