Bishop Challoner Parent Letter

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am delighted to be writing to you with wonderful news about this summer’s examination results. Both our GCSE and Post-16 outcomes show significant improvement and are a testament to the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the unwavering support of our families.

At GCSE, we are celebrating improvements across every English and Mathematics measure:

• 64% of students achieved Grade 4 or higher in English and Mathematics (+3% on 2024)

• 47% achieved Grade 5 or higher in English and Mathematics (+4% on 2024)

• English 5+ rose to 63% (+2%)

• Mathematics 5+ rose to 49% (+2%)

• 16 subjects (75%) improved their 4+ pass rate compared to 2024

• 15 subjects (63%) improved at 5+

• 14 subjects (58%) improved at 7+

These outcomes include particularly strong performances in Science, History and Religious Education, alongside gains in English Language and Mathematics, showing both breadth and depth of improvement.

Just as important as grades is the progress our students make compared to pupils nationally with the same starting points at primary school. Progress measures how far a child has travelled from their starting point, not just where they finished. Last year, our overall progress was graded at ALPS 7, which placed us in the bottom 25% of schools nationally. This year, our progress score has risen to ALPS 4, which signifies Good to Very Good progress and places Bishop Challoner within the top 40% of schools nationally. This represents a remarkable turnaround in just twelve months.

At Post-16, the achievements have been equally impressive. Our A Level and BTEC students have secured results which place us amongst the most improved providers locally. Bishop Challoner recorded the second-highest improvement in APS (Average Point Score) across Tower Hamlets, with an increase of +5.44 points compared to last year. This represents greater improvement than many long established schools in the borough and confirms that our Sixth Form is moving rapidly in the right direction, competing strongly with the best.

We are also particularly proud that an above national average proportion of our Sixth Form students will be progressing to Russell Group universities this year, greater than is typically seen in many other well established Tower Hamlets schools. This demonstrates the ambition and aspiration that has grown within our Sixth Form, and confirms that our students are successfully competing for places at the country’s most prestigious institutions.

These academic successes have been underpinned by wider improvements in the life of the school. Student behaviour has improved significantly, with suspensions reduced by just under 50% compared to last year, reflecting a calmer, more purposeful atmosphere for learning. At the same time, we have achieved stable staffing arrangements for the first time in several years, ensuring consistency in teaching and pastoral support. Together, these changes are creating the strong foundation on which academic success can be built.

These successes are not just statistics, they are stories of resilience, ambition, and faith. They show what can be achieved when we work together as a community, students striving for excellence, staff providing expert teaching and pastoral care, and parents offering encouragement and support.

We know that there is still more to do, and we are determined to build on this year’s achievements as we move forward. However, today we can rightly pause to celebrate the progress made and the bright futures that lie ahead for our young people.

Thank you for the role you have played in this shared success. As a Catholic school, we give thanks for the blessings we have received, and we remain committed to nurturing every child so that they can flourish academically, personally, and spiritually.

I look forward to seeing you at our next Parent Forum on Friday 12th September 2025, where we will share more detail about our plans for the year ahead. You can register by CLICKING THIS LINK.

Uniform Reminder - High Standards for All Students

• Blazer with Bishop Challoner badge

• White shirt tucked in, with school tie worn correctly

• School trousers/skirt (no jeans, leggings or short skirts)

• Black shoes (not trainers or sports brands)

• PE kit as specified, worn only for PE lessons

• Minimal jewellery (one small stud per ear only, no nose rings or additional piercings)

• No extremes of hairstyle (including unnatural colours or patterns shaved into hair)

Thank you for supporting us in ensuring that uniform is worn with pride, consistency and respect, helping all our students to feel part of the Bishop Challoner community.