Canford celebrates outstanding GCSE results
Published by Canford School on Wednesday 2nd of September 2026
Canford School pupils continued to demonstrate their place at the top table of South-West Schools for GCSE results, with 27% of all results at grade 9, over five times the national average.
Canford School pupils continued to demonstrate their place at the top table of South-West Schools for GCSE results, with 27% of all results at grade 9, over five times the national average. With over half of grades at 9-8 (A*), Canfordians have much to be proud of and 71% of grades at 9-7 compares impressively against the average for the independent sector nationally, where only 48% of grades were at this level.
Whilst at Canford, grade 9 was the most common grade awarded, performance was strong at every level with 96% of all grades were at 9-5 (equivalent to A*-B). It is hugely to their credit that 100% of pupils qualified for sixth form entry with over 95% staying and a record breaking 45 pupils joining. The new Year 12 will be the largest in the history of Canford and pupils will benefit from the new College, bringing together all sixth formers to further develop opportunities for collaboration, independence and leadership, helping pupils bridge the gap between school and the wider world.
Canford is about much more than just exam results, however. Amongst a plethora of positive stories were two pupils who achieved 15 grade 8s and 9s between them whilst also playing the season for Bath Rugby, and three pupils who achieved 6 grade 8s and 24 grade 9s between them whilst also preparing for and performing “The Addams Family” in the West End.
Headmaster, Chris Wheeler said:
"I offer my warm congratulations to all our pupils for the extraordinary effort they have put in across a huge breadth of subjects. With almost all pupils taking 10 subjects, Canfordians take on more challenge than many and have come out with flying colours.
We recognise that for many pupils, the hard-won Grade 6 in a subject they find hard is as much a victory as a grade 9 in an area of strength. Above all else, the key outcome for GCSE pupils is the strength of character, the resilience and the work ethic they have learned through the process.
I am excited to see these pupils continue to the Sixth Form, building those skills even further in our new College facility where they will take the subjects they are most passionate about to greater depths and become ever more independent."
