OUTSTANDING GCSE SUCCESS

GCSE Results 2026 – A Year to Celebrate

Pupils and staff at Rainhill High School are celebrating an excellent set of GCSE and vocational results, with significant improvements across the school and success across a broad range of subjects.Nearly three quarters of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and mathematics, while Combined Science improved by more than a full grade on average in just 12 months. Across the curriculum, the average grade achieved by pupils is now a strong pass.The results also demonstrate the breadth of success at Rainhill. Scores of pupils achieved the very highest grades, with particularly strong performances in PE, the Arts and History. Pupils also secured Distinction* grades – the highest possible – in Dance, Drama, Music, Small Animal Care, IT and Health and Social Care.
The results reflect the school's commitment to an ambitious, broad and balanced curriculum, enabling young people to discover their strengths, develop their talents and pursue excellence.They follow last week's strong Key Stage 5 results at RH6, where students made good progress and are now moving on to destinations including the University of Oxford and King's College London, alongside a wide range of other universities, apprenticeships, training and employment.

Josie Thorogood, Principal of Rainhill High School, said: “Above all, today is about celebrating our young people. We are incredibly proud of what they have achieved and of the determination, resilience and ambition they have shown.“These results demonstrate strong improvement on 2025, but what makes us particularly proud is the breadth of success. We are celebrating the very highest academic grades and Distinction* awards, alongside pupils who have worked extraordinarily hard to achieve personal bests and secure the next step that is right for them. Every achievement matters.“Our pupils have been supported throughout by dedicated teachers, support staff and families, and this is an achievement in which our whole school community can take pride.“At Rainhill, we are In Pursuit of Excellence. We want every young person to learn, think, contribute and care, while developing the knowledge, character and confidence to achieve their ambitions. These results are an important milestone in that journey, and we are excited to build on this success.”Rainhill High School's vision of In Pursuit of Excellence is underpinned by its values of Learn, Think, Contribute and Care, combining high expectations with a broad curriculum and opportunities for every young person to succeed.Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and to everyone who has contributed to their success.