Performance

Official Government Data

Official performance information is published on the Department for Education’s Compare School Performance service: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/102154/highgate-wood-secondary-school

GCSE Results 2025

We are delighted to announce an excellent set of examination results for our GCSE students.
This follows on from our strong A Level and Vocational Equivalent results last week 
Some Overall Attainment Headlines

79% of Students achieving 4+ grades in English and Maths
62% of Students achieving 5+ grades in English and Maths
41% of students achieved grades 7 or above in English
36% of students achieved grades 7 or above in Maths
Over a quarter (27%) of all grades achieved were grades 8s and 9s
Overall Average Grade Equivalent to a Grade 5.6

Headteacher at Highgate Wood, Patrick Cozier said…
“We are delighted to celebrate the successes of our GCSE students and to congratulate them
on their excellent results this year. This is a cohort whose early years of secondary educatio
were disrupted by the pandemic, yet they have shown remarkable resilience and
determination in meeting the challenges of the 2025 examination series.
That their outcomes are in line with (and in many cases exceed) those achieved by our
students before the pandemic is a reflection of their perseverance, commitment, and hard
work. It is also testament to the encouragement they have received from their families and
friends, and to the high-quality teaching and care provided by our staff throughout their
school journey. We are extremely pleased that so many of them will be continuing their
studies with us in our thriving sixth form from September.
Coupled with the excellent A Level results announced last week, these GCSE outcomes
underline the strength and depth of learning in our school. I am extremely grateful to our
dedicated staff for the professionalism and commitment they show in supporting our
students every step of the way. Today is a moment to recognise and thank them, as well as to
celebrate the achievements of our students.”

Emily Issitt, Assistant Headteacher and KS4 lead at Highgate Wood School says
“We are so proud of our Year 11 students. They are an exceptional year group who have
shown real determination, perseverance and maturity throughout their time at Highgate
Wood School. As well as their academic focus, they have consistently shown kindness,
teamwork and support one another. They have been such a pleasure to work with and a real
credit to the school. It’s fantastic to see their hard work and positivity reflected in these
excellent results.”

For further information, please email admin@hws.haringey.sch.uk

A Level Results 2025

Highgate Wood School Sixth Form is proud to announce another very strong set of A Level Results. There have been successes across the board, enabling our students to progress to the university, college, workplace or vocation that they have hoped for and planned.
The level of dedication and commitment our students have shown has been rewarded. These fantastic outcomes are a positive reflection of their talent, hard-work and can-do spirit.

Headline figures for A Level and Vocational Equivalent
• The average grade achieved by our students across all subjects was a Grade C+
• Around a fifth of grades achieved were A* or A
• Almost half of grades achieved were A* to B
• Almost four fifths of all grades achieved were A*-C

Some of our 2025 University Destinations
• Hodan Abdi Pharmaceutical Sciences at Middlesex University
• Arnaud Aguili Mechanical Engineering at Swansea University
• Izel Arslan Law at Exeter University
• Imogen Burkett Biochemistry at Leeds University
• Iolo Breeze Cultural and Media Studies at Leeds University
• Louie Burn Finance with Year in Industry at Exeter University
• Annabella Da Prato Italian and History at Edinburgh University
• Jake Edwards International Relations and Politics at Sheffield University
• Lian Hamlyon Philosophy and Politics at Manchester University
• Ayla Jacobsberg Theatry and Performance Design at Liverpool Institute for the Arts
• Wilf Ludlow Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes University
• Caterina Macpherson History and Birmingham University
• Max McCloy Accounting at Bath University
• Blake Metzler Comnputer Science at Leeds University
• Jannath Rahman Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Year in Industry at Queen Mary University
• Theo Small Paramedic Science at Worcester University
• Fern Wilkins Creative Writing at Brighton University
(Please note that this is only a small cross-section of the courses and destinations attained by our students)

GCSE Results 2024

Following our very strong A Level and Vocational Equivalent results last week (available here) we are delighted to announce an excellent set of examination results for our GCSE students.

Some Overall Attainment Headlines

• 70% of Students achieving 4+ grades in English and Maths
• 51% of Students achieving 5+ grades in English and Maths
• 30% of students achieved grades 7 or above in English
• 30% of students achieved grades 7 or above in Maths
• Overall Average Grade Equivalent to a Grade 5.1

Headteacher at Highgate Wood, Patrick Cozier comments:

“We are all very proud of the achievements of our GCSE students and congratulate them on their excellent results. This is a group of young people whose formative education in years 9 and 10 was severely impacted by the pandemic but have managed to rise to the significant challenges of the 2024 exam season.

That this year group have achieved exam results that are broadly comparable with our pre-pandemic cohorts, is a testimony to their hard work, focus and dedication. It is also a tribute to the support they have received from their school, their friends and their families, and the first-rate teaching that took place in their classrooms. We look forward to seeing the vast majority back with us in September to join our successful sixth form.

Early data from the Department for Education shows that over the last 8 years students at Highgate Wood School typically make better than expected progress compared to their peers nationally. In respect of this and the excellent A’ Level results last week, I am also indebted to my staff who continue to show excellent commitment in supporting the students every step of the way. I am proud of them all and would like to take this opportunity to thank them publicly.”

Jen Burniston, Deputy Headteacher and KS4 lead at Highgate Wood School comments:

“We are so proud of our Year 11 students, who have consistently proven themselves to be a remarkable group of individuals. They’ve shown incredible focus in their studies, supported each other every step of the way, and brought a sense of good humour and positivity that has made them a joy to teach and to have as part of Highgate Wood School. We are thrilled that their efforts and contributions have been so well rewarded.”

For further information, please email admin@hws.haringey.sch.uk

GCSE Results 2023

Following our very strong A Level and Vocational Equivalent results last week we are delighted to announce an excellent set of examination results for our GCSE students.

 Some Overall Attainment Headlines

• 74% of Students achieving 4+ grades in English and Maths
• 63% of Students achieving 5+ grades in English and Maths
• Almost 40% of students achieved grades 7 or above in English
• Over a third of students achieved grades 7 or above in Maths
• Overall Average Grade Equivalent to a Grade 5.3

Headteacher Patrick Cozier said…

“We are all very proud of the achievements of our GCSE students and congratulate them on their excellent results. This is a group of young people whose formative education in years 8 and 9 was severely impacted by the pandemic but have managed to rise to the significant challenges of the 2023 exam season where grading has been returned to pre-pandemic norms.

That this year group have achieved exam results that are broadly comparable with our highest ever attaining cohort, is a testimony to their hard work, focus and dedication. It is also a tribute to the support they have received from their school, their friends and their families, and the first-rate teaching that took place in their classrooms. We look forward to seeing the vast majority back with us in September to join our successful sixth form.

Early data from the Department for Education shows that over the last 7 years students at Highgate Wood School typically make better than expected progress compared to their peers nationally. In respect of this and the excellent A’ Level results last week, I am also indebted to my staff who continue to show excellent commitment in supporting the students every step of the way. I am proud of them all and would like to take this opportunity to thank them publicly.”

Adrian Hartley, Assistant Headteacher and KS4 lead at Highgate Wood School says

“These students have constantly shown themselves to be a remarkable group of individuals. The support they have given each other, the focus that they brought to their studies and the good humour they always brought to their school have made them a pleasure to teach. I am delighted that their efforts have been so well rewarded.”

A Level and Level 3 Vocational Qualifications – Summer 2023

Highgate Wood School Sixth Form is proud to announce another very strong set of A Level Results. There have been successes across the board, enabling our students to progress to the university, college, workplace or vocation that they have hoped for and planned.
We are particularly proud of our students’ achievements this year as no adjustments have been made to their examination grades to take account of the disruption to education caused by the pandemic. That they have been able to rise to this challenge reflects their talent, hard-work and can-do spirit.

Headline figures for A Level and Vocational Equivalent

• Over a quarter of grades achieved were A* or A (26%)
• Over half of grades achieved were A* to B (52%)
• Over three quarters of all grades received were A*-C (76%)

Commentary

Headteacher Patrick Cozier

“We are delighted that our sixth form students at Highgate Wood School have again gained an extremely positive set of examination results. These very pleasing overall results reflects a whole collection of individual stories of success and achievement. None of it has come easily.
I know how hard our students have worked and the huge efforts made by them, their teachers and families to overcome the very real challenges of school closure during their GCSE years. Their achievements have been hard earned and very well-deserved. I wish each and every one of them my sincerest congratulations.
I would also like to extend a debt of gratitude to Lindsay Pinnick who is retiring this year. She has done a remarkable job in leading our wonderful sixth form and the many positive stories achieved by this and all other cohorts under her leadership is an indication of her brilliant impact.”

Director of 6th Form, Lindsay Pinnick said:
“I am so proud of the achievements of our Year 13 students in this summer’s exams. They endured the most difficult of times during their GCSE years, but they all rose to those challenges and applied themselves to their A Level courses with a level commitment and focus that was inspiring to see. Simply completing a Level 3 course is an achievement. Completing them with such success, especially when these exams have been the first public examinations they have ever sat, is a truly remarkable.”

She added, “At Highgate Wood we continue to push more and more students to achieve their very best, whilst at the same time supporting the social and emotional well-being of all students, which has been a particular priority for this cohort. We are delighted that this approach has given so many of our student the confidence to aim for the top and the qualifications that are required for access.”

Some of our 2023 University Destinations (including some who deferred their applications from last year)

• Charlie Barriga to study Data Science and Analytics at University of Westminster, London
• Chloe Beaton to study History at University of Leeds
• Evie Corney to study Drama and English Literature at University of Manchester
• Buddy Deeney to study Fashion Image Making and Styling at University of Salford
• Nina Fraser to study History at The University of Edinburgh
• Eden Cavendish to study Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at University of Cambridge
• Lola Goldfinch Betts to study History and Politics at University of Sheffield
• Isabel Gordon to study Ancient History and History at University of Nottingham
• Eloise Haastrup-Baptiste to study Media Communications and Culture at Nottingham Trent University
• Kasper Harber to study Zoology at University of Bristol
• Maisy Harrison to study Chemistry at The University of Edinburgh
• Francis Holmes-Kelly to study Natural Sciences at University of Leeds
• Alessandro Ingargiola to study Biology at University of Bristol
• Sasha Key to study Psychology at University of Bath
• Kara Metzler to study Economics and Mathematics at University of Leeds
• Daniel Morris to study History and German at University of Manchester
• Etienne Munday to study Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering at University of Leeds
• Marina Nogues Summerscale to study Modern Languages at University of Bristol
• Afriyie Nyametie to study Drama and Film Studies at University of Manchester
• Maya Ramlogan to study Veterinary Medicine and Science at University of Surrey
• Eleanor Saint to study Law and Criminology at University of Sheffield
• Ned Screene to study Medicine at University of Glasgow
• Yasmin Shurie to study Midwifery at City, University of London
• Louis Tejani to study Medicine at University of East Anglia UEA
• Nelson Waite to study English Literature and Creative Writing​ at University of Birmingham

(Please note that this is only a small cross-section of the courses and destinations attained by our students)

GCSE Exam Results – 2022

Some Overall Attainment Headlines

• 77% of Students achieving 4+ grades in English and Maths
• 57% of Students achieving 5+ grades in English and Maths
• Over a third of students achieved grades 7 or above in English
• A third of students achieved grades 7 or above in Maths
• Over 40% of students achieved 5 or more grades 6 or higher
• Overall Average Grade Equivalent to a Grade 5.3

Headteacher at Highgate Wood, Patrick Cozier said…

‘We are again delighted with this set of GCSE results. We are proud of how well our students have done, particularly given the challenges and disruption of the last two years. Our students have worked so hard, supported each other so well and now they have the chance to celebrate some amazing outcomes.

This year group has achieved results that are broadly comparable with our highest ever achieving cohort in 2019, which is a truly remarkable success given the circumstances. Their attitude has always been positive and determined and we are thrilled for them that they have done so well. We look forward to seeing the vast majority back with us in September to join our successful sixth form.

In respect of this and the excellent A’ Level results last week, I am also indebted to my staff who continue to show excellent commitment in supporting the students every step of the way. I am proud of them all and would like to take this opportunity to thank them publicly.’

A Level Results 2022.

Highgate Wood is delighted with a very good set of A level results. This is particularly pleasing given that this cohort of students had never previously sat public examinations.

Our students achieved 36% A*/A grades (compared to the national average of 26.4%), and over 60% of grades achieved by our students were A* to B. We are also thrilled to announce that our average grade across all students in our year 13 cohort is a Grade B. The progress made by our Sixth Form students continues to be excellent, placing is comfortably in the top 25% of sixth forms and colleges nationally.

University Options and Offers – A Few Selected Students

• Jasmine Aversa Moore gained A*BB and looks forward to going to the University of Edinburgh to study Italian and French.
• Durham University will be welcoming Elanaz Kir who will study History having achieved A*AB grades and Rosie Hegarty Morrish’s A*AAA enables her to pursue her love of Mathematics
• Three of our students will be studying at Loughborough University. Maya Easey-Mibanga (Sport Science, Coaching and Physical Education), Humza Khan (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) and Anders Skovsende (Geography) achieved ABB, BBB and A*A*A respectively to win their places.
• Alice Jenkins takes up her place to read History at University of Cambridge (A*A*A)
• Freya Wilson will be studying Social Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh (A*AA).
• Four students will be heading up to Newcastle University. Luna Berger and Rory McDermid (Film and Media), Tal Eytan (Combined Honours) with Gaetan Vernier (Mechanical Engineering) will be joining them a year later.
• Lily Bacon Darwin wins a place to study Psychology at University of York having secured an A* and two A grades. She will be joined by Maya Muir and Zoe Street who gained places for History with three A* grades each.
• Dior Beckford will take up a place at University of Leeds to study History having achieved three A grades. Joining the same course is Luca Hayles who gained A*AA.
• Talia Bunting achieved a magnificent three Grade As and a B to secure her place at the University of Exeter to study Liberal Arts. Also off to Exeter is James Fleming who achieved A*AB and will read Law.
• Ilona Djapou gains a place at King’s College, University of London to study Culture, Media and Communication having achieved A*A*A grades. Also remaining in London ((University College) is Coco Sanchez who will read Spanish and Latin American Studies having gained A*A*A.

Commentary
Head Teacher Patrick Cozier sums up the mood when commenting,
‘We are so proud of our amazing students, whose dedication, resilience and hard work has allowed them to achieve these excellent and well-deserved results. The examination results are also a testament to the professionalism and energy of our staff who have supported these students so brilliantly and with such commitment along the way. This has been the most extraordinary and testing time for our young people following the disruption created by Covid, so to see them triumph the way they have is truly inspiring.’
Director of 6th Form, Lindsay Pinnick said,
‘Our year 13 have been just brilliant. They have been through the most challenging of times and given that this year’s exams were their first ever public exams, I could not be prouder of them. The maturity they have shown and their commitment to their studies and supporting each other has been very touching to witness.’
She added, ‘At Highgate Wood we continue to push more and more students toward the top A level grades and with these grades toward application to leading Universities whilst at the same time supporting the social and emotional well-being of all students, which has been a particular priority for this cohort of students. The grades achieved this year by our students gives them all such fantastic opportunities and the potential to move on to great futures. I would like to commend the effort and hard work from our students and thank the supportive families and excellent teachers.’

GCSE RESULTS 2021

Headteacher at Highgate Wood, Patrick Cozier said…
“We are again pleased with our GCSE results. I am particularly proud of this year group. Despite the most significant of challenges and the level of disruption over the last eighteen months, they worked so hard, stayed focused and have performed brilliantly. The level of resilience they have shown has been remarkable and the excellent grades that they have achieved are well-deserved. We look forward to their continuing success with us in September as most of our year 11s will be staying on into our high achieving 6th form to do A Levels.
In respect of these GCSE outcomes and the excellent A’ Level results earlier this week, I am also indebted to my staff who continue to show outstanding commitment in supporting the students every step of the way. I am proud of them all and would like to take this opportunity to thank them publicly.”
On the issue of grade inflation…
“Students and staff have worked so hard under the most testing of circumstances. It would be unfair to them to undermine their achievements with talk of grade inflation. It is impossible to compare the last two years with previous cohorts. The difference in the assessment process, the unique experience of online learning, and the disruption created repeated isolations have created an unprecedented set of circumstances.
What we do know is that we have been through a very rigorous process at HWS to decide on the teacher assessed grades. We have made all of our departments justify their grades by looking closely at the evidence used to make the judgements. Our outcomes for this year are very much aligned to the last set of exams our students sat in 2019. Our students have most certainly earned and deserved the great outcomes that they have achieved.”

Assistant Headteacher (KS4 Raising Standards Leader), Adrian Hartley said…
“I am so proud of our wonderful year 11 students this year. They have worked their socks off, pushed themselves to the very limit and got the grades they truly deserve. I would also thank our amazing staff who always go above and beyond, as well as the magnificent support we have received from parents.”

Some headline figures are as follows;

% of Grades 8s and above   24%
% of Grades 7s and above (equivalent to an ‘old’ grade A)  39%
% of Students Grades 5 or above in English and Maths 62%
Average Attainment Score   Grade 6

A LEVEL 2021

Highgate Wood School Sixth Form is pleased with another excellent set of A Level results. Our students achieved 45% A*/A grades, with 73% of grades achieved being A* to B. 93% of our students’ grades were A* to C. Our average grade is a B+.

Headteacher Patrick Cozier sums up the mood commenting: “we are thrilled with how well our students have done. They have achieved fantastic outcomes supported by our incredible teachers. All students and staff have had to work extra hard during these challenging times and these grades are a testament to that effort. We are so proud of everyone!’

Director of Highgate Wood School Sixth Form, Lindsay Pinnick, explains how staff and students had to cope with not knowing what was going to happen this year but rose to the challenge magnificently. “I am confident that our grades and results have as much value this year as any year,” she says. “Our students have earned their grades through, hard work, clear focus and solid determination during a very challenging time, and I am sure they will all want to join me in thanking our teachers who supported them throughout their courses with dedication, expertise and professionalism.”

“We are delighted that more than half of our cohort have already accepted offers to study at their chosen  universities, including medical schools and Oxbridge.”

SOME OF OUR HEADLINE STORIES OF INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Rudy Berman accepted his place at the University of Cambridge to study Natural Sciences, while Sam Marks will read Human Sciences and Vukasin Winrow will read History at the University of Oxford.

History degrees continue to be popular with many of our students including William Crawford (University of Cardiff), Brooke Ellis (King’s College, University of London)  and Thea Wilson (Durham University).  Former Willowfield student Maud Kovadloff looks forward to her place studying History of Art (University of Edinburgh).

Several students will study arts-based courses at university or art college. These include Max Eatherden (Practical Filmmaking at the Central Film School, London), Jake Miller (Media and Communications at the University of Sussex) Jack Walker (Film Studies with a year abroad at the University of Southampton) and Tyce Griffiths (Digital Media at the University of Leeds).

Several years of experience with the Model United Nations gave Vukasin Winrow a taste for History at the University of Oxford and Caitlin Gillespie an interest in International Relations and Politics at the University of Sheffield.  Zandile Mathabula-Jonah will study International Development with Economics at the University of Bath.

A range of STEM based courses are also popular: Rosie Allison will study Chemistry at the University of Bath, she will be joined by Alabama Cawley studying Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. Aidan Dakhama achieved a place at King’s College, University of London for Computer Science, James Perry has been accepted for Mathematics and Physics at the University of Manchester; two students head off to the University of Edinburgh:

Blane Heerey-Piszoski to study Maths and Joshim Khan to study Astrophysics.  Lois Fletcher-Wheeler gains a well-deserved place to study Pharmacology at the University of Bath while Nyah Patel-Durasamy will study Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at Imperial College London.

Social sciences courses remain popular this year: Jasmine Clarke reading Forensic Psychology at Nottingham Trent University, Lottie Ezer-Ahern studies Psychology at the University of Manchester, Katie Fraser-Allen at the University of Sheffield, Tamira McFarlane at the University of Sussex and Edan Silbiger embarks on a course in Social Anthropology at the University of Manchester.

Congratulations to our wonderful year 11 and year 13 students.  You have worked amazingly hard in some very difficult circumstances and thoroughly deserve the excellent grades that have been achieved. 

GCSE Results 2019

Overall attainment:

• 74% of students achieving 4+ grades in English and Maths (7% up on last year)
• 59% of students achieving 5+ grades in English and Maths (11% up on last year)
• A third of students achieved 5 or more grades 7 or higher (Equivalent to A and A*)
• Overall Average Grade Equivalent to a Grade 5.5

Progress headlines:

• Progress 8 = +0.54 (This places us in the top 10% of schools nationally)

We are yet again delighted with this extremely strong set of GCSE results. We are proud that a third of our students this year gained 5 or top more 9 to 7 grades – right up there with the best results in the country. We are also thrilled that yet again our students have made excellent progress throughout their five years at Highgate Wood School with a Progress 8 score of +0.54 which places us in the top 10% of schools nationally.

This year 74% of our students achieved 4+ in both English and Maths which is 7% up on last year. Even more impressive is the fact that 59% of our students achieved 5+ in both English and Maths which is an 11% increase on last year.

Data from the Department for Education already shows that over the last 6 years students at Highgate Wood School have made on average better than expected progress compared to their peers nationally. The results this year build on that already significant success are a deserved reward for our excellent and hard-working students. Their attitude has been first class and we are ecstatic for them that they have done so well. As a result of this, many more will be able to stay on and flourish in our successful sixth form.

A Level Results

Highgate Wood Sixth Form is delighted with another very good set of A Level exam results. Our students achieved 23% A*/A grades, and over half (58%) of grades achieved by our students were A* to B. Our A* to C grades are up 6% on last year (84%) and our average grade is a B. We are also thrilled that once again we have a 100% pass rate.

Highgate Wood School is very pleased to announce another fantastic set of exam results for our post 16 students who are now able to move on to their next phase of education with confidence and ambition. 95 students from Highgate Wood have offers to begin University or Art Foundation courses.

See information for our Sixth Form.

Headteacher Patrick Cozier writes:

We are proud of our students who have achieved these excellent and well deserved exam results as a consequence of their dedication and hard work. These results are also a reward for our staff who have supported our students so brilliantly along the way. In respect of the excellent GCSE and A Level exam results last week, I am indebted to my staff who continue to show excellent commitment in supporting the students every step of the way.

Some of our headline stories of individual achievements

• Former Hornsey School for Girls student Aisha Taylor Duran gained A*A*A and looks forward to her place studying History at the University of Liverpool.
• A total of ten students will study History including Rosa Georgiou (A*AA) at the University of Edinburgh, Eva Parfitt (A*A*A*) and Isaac Tibbett (ABB) at the University of Manchester.
• Several students will study arts based courses at university or art college. These include Caleb Wycoff-Smith (AAC), Megan Boardman (BBC), Mia Cumming (BBB) and Preslava Lyubenova (BBC).
• Several years of experience as a lead delegate for the Model United Nations gave Crouch Ender James Lenton a taste for international relations. His A*A*A* gained him a place to study Politics and International Relations at London School of Economics.
• A career in the economy is also a possibility for Sonny Bailey-Davies and Ivan Benis-Scott whose A*AA gained them a place at the University of Manchester, and the University of Nottingham respectively.
• A range of STEM based courses are also popular with William Orchard’s A*AA gaining him a place to study Theoretical Physics at the University of Birmingham, Yilmaz Karakus’s ABB achieved a well-deserved place at Queen Mary’s University of London for Computer Science, an ABB gave Alfie Webb-Jenkins the opportunity to study Product Design Engineering at Glasgow University.

Director of Highgate Wood School Sixth Form Lindsay Pinnick writes:

Highgate Wood Sixth Form continues working on pushing more students towards the top A Level grades and consequently applications to leading Universities whilst at the same time supporting the social and emotional well-being of all students. The grades achieved this year by our students give them such fantastic opportunities and the potential to move on to great futures. The range of courses is certainly impressive and we wish all students well as they leave Highgate Wood Sixth Form in the knowledge that they are ready to transition to Higher Education. I would like to commend the effort and hard work from our students and thank their supportive families and our excellent teachers.

Compare our results on the DfE wesbite

• League Tables