Queen’s College, Taunton, is celebrating after receiving confirmation that it is ranked in the top 2% of schools nationally for “value added” scores at GCSE.
Value added is the recognised national measure of how much improvement a pupil makes from the start of Year 10 to the completion of their GCSEs. On average, pupils at Queen’s achieved one full grade higher in every subject compared to expected outcomes – an extraordinary achievement.
Julian Noad, Head of College, praised the dedication of staff:
“I often say that big numbers don’t tell the real story. It’s the individual stories of improvement that matter most. But this number does matter, it says something very powerful. Pupils at Queen’s achieve, on average, one grade higher in every subject. That doesn’t happen without every teacher in every department being excellent. All contributing. All pulling together.”
What makes this achievement especially important is that Queen’s is proudly non-selective. Whatever their starting point, pupils at Queen’s make rapid and exceptional progress.
As a High Performance Learning (HPL) World Class School, Queen’s has embraced a transformative journey over the past two years to embed the HPL philosophy deeply into all that we do. From lessons and tutor time, to assemblies, clubs and enrichment activities, HPL is woven through the DNA of school life.
The approach challenges the notion that ability is fixed, instead focusing on encouraging every pupil with the right support, opportunities, challenge and encouragement to thrive. This results in a learning environment that builds not only academic success, but also flexible thinking, resilience, creativity, and confidence.
Steve Green, Head of Senior School, reinforced the significance of the results:
“These figures aren’t just flattering statistics – they are based on national benchmarking. Our pupils’ progress is measured from the start of Year 10 using CAT4 GL Assessment tests and value added processed by FFT (Fischer Family Trust), the recognised national standard. To see our pupils achieve at this level is an immense credit to our brilliant teaching staff, and I want to thank every one of them.”
Queen’s College has long been recognised for combining academic excellence with a warm, supportive ethos. These new results confirm what families already know: at Queen’s, every child is inspired to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
Discover it for yourself at our Senior School Open Day on Saturday 27 September. Families are warmly invited to visit, meet our staff and pupils, and see first-hand how Queen’s brings out the very best in every child.
