YOUNG people across Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset have been collecting their GCSE and vocational results today (August 20).

Here, we will round up details from schools across the Vale as the results come in…

Sturminster Newton High School

Students, families, staff are celebrating as Year 11 students receive their GCSE and vocational results.

“While Results Day is a moment to celebrate grades and qualifications, it is also a chance to reflect on how far these young people have come, both as students and individuals,” a spokesperson said.

“Today’s results are part of a much bigger journey. Over the past five years, students have navigated the challenges of secondary education, developed new skills and interests, built friendships and grown in confidence and independence.

“Today’s results are a reflection of that journey and the determination they have shown along the way.”

Young people picking up their results at Sturminster Newton High School

Among those celebrating outstanding success is Erin, with an outstanding full set of nine Grade 9s, while Rebecca, Honey, Sasvidu and Tristan, who achieved some of the highest grades within the school.

“The school is also particularly proud of students who have made exceptional progress during their time at SNHS. Excellent progress was achieved by Lola, Mykyta, Lily, Valentin and Maisie and we are thrilled to celebrate their progress made,” the spokesperson went on.

“There have also been strong outcomes across a number of subject areas, with particularly positive results in French, Drama, Maths and Science. These achievements reflect the commitment of students alongside the expertise, encouragement and support provided by teachers and support staff throughout their secondary education.”

Mike Motteram, headteacher, added: “Today is a really special day for our Year 11 students, their families and the entire local community. We have had the privilege of watching these young people grow over the last five years and today is about celebrating not just what they have achieved academically, but who they have become.

“Results are important for next steps, and we are delighted to celebrate some fantastic individual achievements. But we also know that a set of grades can never tell the whole story.

Young people picking up their results at Sturminster Newton High School

“Behind every result is a young person who has worked, persevered, overcome challenges and continued to develop.

“What makes me particularly proud is seeing the different paths our students are now taking. There is no single definition of success and no single route into the future. Whether our students are heading into sixth form, college, an apprenticeship, employment or further training, we want them to leave SNHS believing in themselves and ready to take on their next challenge.

“At SNHS, we really do believe that it takes a village to raise a child. Today is a celebration of the students, but it is also a celebration of the families, teachers, support staff and wider community who have helped them reach this point – celebrating the entire village.”

Sherborne Boys

Following A Level achievements announced last week, Sherborne Boys congratulated its Fifth Form on a “fantastic” set of GCSE results this summer.

Two thirds of all entries were graded 9-7 (equivalent to A*/A), and 42% at grades 9-8. Notably, 1 in 5 of all grades were at the very highest level, grade 9.

A total of 23 boys achieved an average grade of an 8 or more. Notable among them were Angus E and Alex H, who achieved 9×9 grades; Henry F and Kotaro T, who achieved 8x9s; and William P, who achieved 7x9s.

In total, nine boys achieved 10 or more grades at 9-7 (about 9% of the year).

Headmaster, Simon Heard, said: “What I am most proud of is that our boys have achieved these excellent grades alongside a myriad of other cocurricular activities.

“The development of character is so important to us here at Sherborne and this talented group are a great example of the rounded young men we want to send out into the world.

“We are excited to see what they will achieve in the two years’ time, and congratulate them and their superb teachers on a fabulous set of results.”

Sherborne Girls

The GCSE cohort completed 786 examinations last May and June, of which 378 (48%) were awarded Grades 9-7 (A*/A) compared to the national average of 21.8%.
A total of 43% of the year group secured top grades (9-7/A*-A) in most of their subjects, and 84% of pupils achieved at least one top grade.

Standout individual successes included Isabelle, Amelia, Olivia, Amy, Serene, Isadora, Ottilie, Emma, Letitia, Mirabelle, Amor, and Selina, who secured top grades in all their subjects, many of whom did 10 or more GCSEs.

Dr Ruth Sullivan, head of Sherborne Girls, added: “Today’s results reflect a wonderful cohort who have supported each other, worked hard and secured some truly enviable and well-earned results.

“Success is reflected differently for each pupil, some of whom have faced difficult personal challenges during the GCSE course.

“To each pupil, I applaud you for what you have achieved as it reflects your own hard work perseverance, ambition and commitment. Today we also celebrate the achievements of our brother school, Sherborne Boys and their examination results as well as thanking our staff and parent body for the support and guidance they have given the girls.”

The Gryphon School

Gryphon students were praised in particular for their performance in the key subjects of English and Mathematics.

The school is particularly proud of the achievements of students who received additional support and intervention during their GCSE studies.

Among disadvantaged students, the proportion achieving grades 9–5 in both English and Mathematics increased significantly, which a spokesperson said was “testament to the hard work and determination of the students themselves, alongside the expertise and dedication of the teachers and support staff who worked with them”.

The results also demonstrated the strength of The Gryphon’s creative, vocational and academic curriculum.

Strong progress in subjects such as Drama, Catering, Film Studies and Fine Art sits alongside excellent outcomes in subjects including History, Business Studies, Spanish and French.

The school also celebrated strong outcomes across the STEM curriculum.

Biology, Chemistry and Physics all achieved very high average grades, demonstrating the high level of attainment achieved by students studying the separate sciences.

Headteacher, Jim Gower, said: “Today is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our students and the achievements they have worked so hard to secure. We know how much effort, perseverance and commitment goes into preparing for GCSEs, and we are delighted to see that hard work recognised in their results.

“I am particularly proud of the way our students have risen to the challenges they have faced and continued to strive for their goals. I would also like to thank our staff for the outstanding support they have given our young people.

“Their dedication, encouragement and expertise make such a difference, and these results are a reflection of the combined efforts of our students, staff and families. We are immensely proud of everyone who has contributed to this year’s success.”

Savannah P achieved two 9s, three 8s, three 7s and two 6s, and said: “Some of my grades were a lot better than I thought, and I’m so happy to get a 9 in French.”

She will be continuing her studies at The Gryphon Sixth Form, taking A levels in English Literature, French and History.

Olivia B also received high grades, and said: “I worked very hard for these exams, and my grades are better than expected – I’m happy that I can go on to do Biology, Chemistry and Psychology at The Gryphon Sixth Form.”

Hamish J achieved grade 9s in History, Physics, and English Literature, and said: “I worked so hard this year, I didn’t expect the 9s in History and Physics so that’s great.”

He is also planning to stay on for Sixth Form, taking A levels in Maths, Physics and Economics.

Jack H also did well, and has a place at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, where after completing his initial training, he plans to become a Para Engineer.

Xavier P achieved four 9s and four 8s, and will be studying for A levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

Joel D achieved six grade 8s among other subjects, and said: “I feel great, I did much better in German than I thought which really surprised me.”

He is going on to study A levels in Physics, Maths, Further Maths and Economics.

Tanisha H also came away with some of the top marks, and will be studying Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths, with the aim of studying medicine at Cambridge.

Shaftesbury School

Students and staff are celebrating improvements in key areas alongside some exceptional individual and subject achievements.

There was success in English, where 71.3% of students achieved a grade 4 or above – a significant increase on last year. More than half of students achieved a strong pass at grade 5 or above in English.

The school also saw an improvement in the proportion of students securing a standard pass in both English and Maths.

Within a relatively small Year 11 cohort of 128 students, pupils secured 89 grades at 7–9, including 13 grade 9s – the highest grade available at GCSE.

Those top grade 9s were achieved across an impressive breadth of the curriculum, including Fine Art, Drama, English, Film Studies, Mathematics, PE, Design & Technology and Religious Education.

Drama students achieved a particularly impressive set of top-end results, with five grade 9s. Fine Art, History, Spanish and Religious Education students made particularly strong progress against their individual target grades.

Headteacher, Stephanie Bowen, said: “There is a great deal within this year’s results for us to celebrate, and I am extremely proud of what our students have achieved.

“We are particularly pleased with the significant improvement in English this year, with more than seven in ten students securing a standard pass, alongside an increase in the proportion of students achieving a standard pass in both English and Mathematics.

“It is also fantastic to see the breadth of high achievement across our curriculum. To see grade 9s awarded across eight different subject areas – from English and Mathematics to Drama, Fine Art, Film Studies, PE, Design & Technology and Religious Education – reflects the many different strengths and talents within this year group.

“It also proves just how important it is to offer a broad curriculum. Studying subjects you enjoy helps reinforce that feeling of belonging and allows our young people to thrive.

“We have to remember that results day is about much more than headline figures. Every result represents an individual young person and their own journey. Many of our students have had challenges to overcome along the way this year, and today is an opportunity to recognise their determination, resilience and hard work. Knowing you have been the best you can be and have done the best you can do is more important than anything.

“I would like to thank our staff, who have worked incredibly hard to support this year group over the coming year, and our students’ families for their patience. Congratulations to the Class of 2026. We are very proud and wish every student the very best as they take their next steps into sixth form, college, apprenticeships and beyond.”

The school’s 2026 results also saw an improvement in its overall Attainment 8 score.

King Arthur’s School, Wincanton

King Arthur’s School, in Wincanton, is celebrating “some fantastic individual results, alongside further improvements at the higher grades”.

The proportion of students achieving a Grade 5 or above in both English and Maths increased again, while the number of students achieving Grade 7 or above in both subjects more than doubled.

There was particular success at the highest grades in English, with the proportion of students achieving Grade 7 or above increasing to 14.3%.

Higher grade outcomes also increased in Maths, with some exceptional individual performances across the year group as well as in Further Maths.

Holly Louise achieved Grade 7 or above in eight subjects, while Pheobie achieved Grade 7 or above in five subjects, including a Grade 9 in English Literature. Tegan and Toren also achieved Grade 7 or above in five subjects.

Other outstanding performers include Phoebe, Mollie, Leon, Adriana and Harry.

“We are also very proud of those students who made exceptional progress against their baselines including Louis, George, Amelia, Phoebe, Gilly and Ben, who all made particularly strong progress during their time at King Arthur’s,” a spokesperson said.

A number of year 10 students also sat GCSE examinations in Statistics and Polish a year early, achieving some excellent results.

Headteacher, Jonty Archibald, added: “We are pleased with the increase of the higher grades and this demonstrates our long term strategy to raise attainment at King Arthur’s.

“I was delighted to see pupil’s amazing individual results which was testament to their hard work and dedication. I wish the pupil’s the best of luck with their next steps.”

READ MORE: Education news from your New Blackmore Vale