Barking and Dagenham (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Students in Barking and Dagenham celebrate the best GCSE results in borough history on Results Day 2025, marking a milestone in academic achievement.
The borough was filled with scenes of celebration as students picked up their GCSE results.
These are the greatest GCSE results ever obtained in Barking and Dagenham history, excluding the pandemic-affected years.
Students in Barking and Dagenham achieved some of their best-ever results, defying national trends on a day when GCSE average grades dropped.
The borough’s Attainment 8 score, which gauges students’ achievement in eight GCSE-level qualifications, increased by more than 1.5% from the previous year’s findings.
Math and English grades in grades 9–4 increased by 2%. The average of students who received the highest English grades—9–7—was at an all-time high.
Nearly 70% of the students at Jo Richardson Community School got grades 4–9 in math and English, demonstrating that their efforts were worthwhile. Oskar, who obtained eight grade 9s and one grade 8, and Aizeyosabo, who received seven grade 9s, a grade 8, and a Distinction*, were both high achievers at the school.
With their best grades since marking returned to normal in 2023, Greatfields School was ecstatic. Grades 9–4 achievement increased by 4%, exceeding the national average.
With more than one-third of all grades being in grades 9–7, Riverside School students enjoyed yet another outstanding year. More than four out of five students received 9–4 grades in math and English, allowing them to advance to a Level 3 course.
Nearly 70% of the students at Jo Richardson Community School got grades 4–9 in math and English, demonstrating that their efforts were worthwhile. Oskar, who obtained eight grade 9s and one grade 8, and Aizeyosabo, who received seven grade 9s, a grade 8, and a Distinction*, were both high achievers at the school.
With their best grades since marking returned to normal in 2023, Greatfields School was ecstatic. Grades 9–4 achievement increased by 4%, exceeding the national average.
With more than one-third of all grades being in grades 9–7, Riverside School students enjoyed yet another outstanding year. More than four out of five students received 9–4 grades in math and English, allowing them to advance to a Level 3 course.
Barking Abbey School had again another successful day after achieving record-breaking A-Level results, with all of the headline GCSE grade figures surpassing those of 2024. Salil, who achieved nine grade 9s, and Zaynab, who received an incredible ten, deserve special congratulations.
Eastbury Community School had another successful year; more than three out of five students received a grade of four or higher in both math and English, and 38% of students received a grade of five or higher in both areas. In at least one subject, 10% of students received the highest possible grade of 9.
With 170 pupils earning grades 9–7, Sydney Russell School students celebrated an outstanding performance in all scientific areas.
Cllr Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said:
“Despite all of the challenges faced by this cohort of students, we’ve still been able to provide them with an excellent educational foundation.
I’ve been delighted to see so many wonderful results across the borough, and I wish all of the young people who received their grades the very best for the future.”
Richard Paul, Headteacher at Greatfields School and Chair of Secondary Headteachers, said:
“It is important to remember how disrupted this cohort were by Covid. They were in Year 6 during the first lockdown, and their transition to secondary school was extremely challenging as a result. They faced further disruption in Year 7 due to the subsequent lockdowns.
Despite the challenges they have faced, they have produced a strong set of results which have seen an overall increase from last year. This is in contrast to a national context which appears to show a plateauing and in some cases a decrease in some key measures.”
Russell Taylor, Executive Headteacher at Robert Clack School, said:
“I am thrilled that we have sustained year-on-year improvement, and with our largest-ever cohort of 480 pupils.
I want to express my gratitude to our staff, governors and parents for their unwavering dedication to our children.”
Clare Cantle, Headteacher at All Saints Catholic School, said:
“We could not be prouder of our students’ achievements.
They have worked with resilience, hope, and ambition, supported by outstanding teachers who go above and beyond.”
What factors contributed to Barking and Dagenham’s record GCSE results in 2025?
Despite challenges such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schooling, students showed dedication, hard work, and resilience, which played a critical role in their success.
Schools in the borough provided supportive learning environments and tailored interventions to help students catch up and thrive academically. Teachers focused on key subjects like English and Maths, resulting in increases in key performance indicators, including grades 9-4 and 9-7.
Barking and Dagenham implemented strategies to support pupils with additional needs, including those with English as an Additional Language (EAL) and disadvantaged students such as those eligible for Free School Meals or in care, resulting in these groups outperforming national averages.