Ambition, Resilience and Success: Duke’s Students Celebrate GCSE Results and Look to the Future

Students at Duke’s Aldridge Academy, part of the Aldridge Education family of schools, are celebrating their GCSE achievements and looking ahead with ambition to the next stage of their education.

 

Results day is an important milestone for Year 11 students, marking the culmination of years of hard work, determination and personal growth. This year’s cohort has demonstrated the resilience and commitment that sits at the heart of life at Duke’s, with students now preparing to take exciting next steps into sixth form, college, apprenticeships and further training.

 

Duke’s is a diverse and ambitious academy with a strong sense of community. Its vision is clear: “We are Duke’s. A community built on trust and respect that inspires resilience, ambition and success for all.”

 

Those values of trust, respect and resilience shape everyday life at the academy, helping to create an environment where young people are encouraged to believe in themselves, support one another and aim high.

 

The academy’s long-standing commitment to inspiring students to excel can be seen not only in today’s results, but in the confidence and aspirations of the young people preparing to move on to their next chapter.

 

Results Highlights

• - 42% achieved 5 GCSEs with English and Maths at grade 4 and 30% achieving 5 GCSEs with English and Maths at grade 5.
• - Progress 8 score 0.15
• - 100% of students achieving 4+ in Music vocational and 90% in Health and Social Care. 
• - 30% of students in Media achieved a grade 7 or above. 

Behind the headline figures are individual stories of achievement, perseverance and ambition.

Among those celebrating this year are:

 

• Arjol, who achieved 9s in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History and Maths and 8s in English Language, English Literature, Computer Science, RE and Sociology. Arjol will be joining King’s Maths School, a prestigious Sixth Form which has been awarded the title of Sixth Form College of the Year for Academic Excellence 2026.

 

 

• Sullie achieved 9 in Media 8s in English Lit, Maths, History, RE with 7s Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology. She is joining LAET to study A Levels in Psychology, Politics, English Literature and Philosophy.

 

• Ishaq achieved a 9 in History, 8s in English Literature, Language, Maths and Science and 7s in Media and RE will continue his science based pathway at London Academy of Excellence said that opening his envelope “felt amazing”.

 

• Sofia has made outstanding progress during her time at Duke’s and achieved 8 in English Literature and Media 7 in Maths and Sociology. Sofia came to England only 4 years ago with very little English, with perseverance, hard work and great confidence, never afraid to ask question and go the extra mile, Sofia has managed to have an average attainment grade of 7+. Her parents are really grateful of all of the support their daughter has received and the professionals at Duke’s that have helped to make this possible. She will be attending Alexandra Park Sixth Form to study Media, History and Psychology.

 

The academy is also celebrating the many students who have exceeded their targets, made exceptional progress or demonstrated remarkable determination during their GCSE years.

 

Student Reactions

Christina said:

“I worked really hard and it paid off and I am really happy with my 9 in Science, 8 in English and 7s in everything else. I came from Ghana to England when I was 13, cultural difference was huge, it was difficult to adjust, but I felt really welcome, really enjoyed school and have been able to achieve my best! I am looking forward to starting at London Academy of Excellence"

 

Sullie said:

“I couldn’t believe these results! Thank you to all the teachers that gave up their time to support me even during holiday!”

 

Looking to the Future

 

For students collecting their results, today is not simply the end of Year 11 but the beginning of a new chapter.

 

Students will now progress to a range of exciting destinations, including A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, apprenticeships and specialist courses, taking with them the knowledge, skills and confidence developed during their time at Duke’s.

 

Roj has always been a ball of energy here at Duke’s, greeting staff and students in the corridors, volunteering to support in school events and always offering a helping hand. Roj has achieved an impressive 9 in Media, 8 in English Lit and History and 6 in Sociology and Science and is really excited to join LAET Sixth Form next year to study History, Politics, English Literature and Philosophy. He said: ‘I felt the pressure in year 11, but I didn’t give up and focussed on my revision and I am really proud of what I have achieved!"

 

Many of our students are making the natural progression to the London School of Excellence, one of Haringey’s most prestigious Sixth Form Colleges. In close proximity to Duke’s, it means our alumni can continue to inspire the next generation.