The 2022 cohort of 115 pupils received their results having been the first year group to sit in-person GCSE exams since 2019. A total of 1,123 grades were awarded (at an average of 9.8 per pupil), covering no fewer than 24 academic subjects.

As well as the examinations sat by every pupil — English Literature, English Language, Mathematics, French and at least two of the three sciences — candidate numbers for languages, the arts and humanities remain high across a broad range of subjects within those disciplines.

In 2022, two-thirds of pupils studied at least one of the arts (Art, Art & Design, Drama, Music); 60% took at least one further modern language (Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese); and two in five studied either Latin, Classical Greek, or both. History (63%), Geography (35%), Religious Studies (25%) and Computer Science (31%) all remain popular, and this year three pupils took a GCSE in Astronomy.

Individually, 64 pupils — more than half the cohort — achieved a full set of 9/8 (A*) grades. Of these, 25 received only 9 (high A*) grades. Seven pupils each received eleven 9 grades.

Westminster’s Head Master, Dr Gary Savage said: “This year’s results show that excellence is spread widely at Westminster, and that high-level learning and academic rigour is evident not just in the classroom but also in laboratories, studios, in rehearsal rooms and on the stage. This breadth of learning, knowledge and scholarship, which sees pupils exposed to a huge number of ideas and ways of thinking, gives them many options as they move to A Levels and degree courses, and as they consider future careers.

“These GCSE results represent a fantastic achievement by a cohort of pupils whose studies were seriously disrupted by the pandemic, and attest to their resilience as well as their talents. I am grateful to their hard-working teachers and our excellent support staff, who work together to support our pupils through good times and bad. I know they will all take great satisfaction from these results, and no little pride. And of course we want to thank the pupils for their hard work and diligence, as well as their supportive families, without whom none of this would be possible.”