"From often very different starting points, the long-stay pupils achieve a good range of GCSE and Foundation Skills qualifications."

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Reflection on our 2025 GCSE Examination results

Due to the nature of our admissions, the number of students we enter for exams, and the number of the exams taken by each student, varies largely from year to year. What remains consistent are outcomes, with the vast majority of students securing post-16 destinations that match their interests and ability. Last year (2024), 22 students were entered for GCSE examinations; this year it was 18 (20 including 2 long term admissions from the Eating Disorders Service). All 18 students gained at least 1 GCSE pass, 9 gained more than 4 GCSEs grades 1-9 and 5 gained 4 grades between 4-9. This represents a cohort whose outcomes have been significantly shaped by medical needs, disrupted education, EBSA profiles, and periods of prolonged absence. Within this context, the majority of students still achieved a meaningful set of qualifications that support positive next steps. However, analysis of their progress based on CATs measures indicates that many students fall within plus or minus one grade of their prediction. One student achieved +1.3 grades above their CATs baseline, demonstrating the significant positive impact of consistent engagement and a stabilised health and attendance profile. Conversely, the lowest progress scores were associated with students who experienced fragmented attendance, frequent medical crises, or late arrival into the school year.  Further analysis shows a clear link between attendance and progress. Students with higher stability in attendance—whether on the ward or at our Konstam site, or through consistent remote provision, were more likely to achieve outcomes closer to or above their predicted grades.

Low attendance, typical of cohorts with significant physical and mental health need, remains the single most influential barrier to progress. This year Citizenship, Photography, Music, Art, and both English Language and Literature performed well compared to other subjects, clearly demonstrating benefit from practical, portfolio-based elements and flexible pedagogy that can be adapted to short-stay and our medically affected learners. The subjects heavily dependent on content, such as Maths, Single Science Biology (sadly, no Single Science Combined GCSE is offered by any examination boards) continue to present as particular challenges due to cumulative knowledge demands, high literacy requirements (History), and the difficulty of re-engaging students with missed foundational content (Maths and Biology). This remains a focus for the school going forward. However, as we prioritise and reward the journey our students have taken, when individual cases are examined more closely some students, and certainly some teachers, are more pleased with a grade 1 in Biology for a particular student than a grade 7 for another student in the same subject. The majority of students progressed to appropriate and aspirational destinations, including creative arts, music technology, fashion, and art & design pathways, in addition to IT, game design and digital media courses. Specialist SEN post 16 settings such as The Pinc College, which require EHCPs, were new destinations and a more academic A-level route via LaSwap also featured. These destinations reflect the school's strong careers guidance, realistic matching of course demands to learner profiles, and the effective preparation of pupils for transition despite disrupted schooling.

Overall, these outcomes reflect substantial achievement in the context of significant health-related disruption and emotionally based school avoidance. The school continues to ensure that students’ progress to positive and appropriate post-16 destinations, with subjects of strength aligned to student interests and future opportunities. We are very proud of every young person who sat exams this year.  

Since the year 2000, the school has been a recognised examination centre. School students who are resident in hospital during the exam period can be transferred from their home-school as candidates, as long as they are deemed medically fit to do so. The school is able to provide guidance and support on access arrangements and special consideration.

Being a small school limits the number of GCSE courses we are able to offer but also provides the opportunity to give personalised teaching. Pupils in alternative provision and in their last year of school have 6–9 GCSE options including English and Maths (see individual programme details).  In addition to teaching their main subjects, teachers are able to support pupils as they work towards GCSE exams in a range of subjects. 

The school also offers a range of alternative accreditation such as Functional Skills, AQA Unit Wards and Arts Award.

The number of exam entrants we have, their range of ability and health problems varies enormously from one year to the next. As a result, each year’s exam results are unique to that particular year group: it is impossible to identify any year-on-year trends. Inevitably therefore, our exam results cannot be taken as a reliable indicator of what another child, who wishes to attend our school, might achieve at GCSE.

We are proud that nearly all of the pupils in A.P who follow GCSE courses and take their exams with us achieve grades at, or above, those predicted for them by their own school. Pupils have achieved A* grades in the past and consistently maximise their potential. This is often in spite of challenging health circumstances.

Private Candidates

Private Candidate Expression of Interest

As a hospital school, we go to great lengths to ensure young people living in Camden with medical needs or outside of mainstream education have a local and affordable option to take GCSEs and A levels.

Please complete this form to the best of your ability, and we will be in touch shortly. https://forms.gle/oga9j1Y8wV8nVtoN.  Information regarding sitting exams with us as a private candidate will be published on the website in January 2026. Please check again in the new year for further information.