GCSE students at Hugh Baird College have been celebrating as they collect their results and begin preparing for their next step, with results yet again showing they have outperformed the national average.
After months of patiently waiting, students received results which allow them to progress to either Further Education, an apprenticeship, Higher Education or even their career.
In the 19+ age group, students at Hugh Baird College achieved outstanding results in GCSE English, with high grades surpassing the national average by an impressive 9.4 percentage points.
The success story extends to GCSE Maths, where students aged 19+ outperformed the national average by 8.6 percentage points in high grades.
For students aged 16-18 and above, GCSE English results were 5.3 percentage points above the national average for high grades, while GCSE Maths results were 4.5 percentage points above.
These results follow a period of exceptional success for Hugh Baird College, which was awarded an Ofsted Outstanding rating earlier this year. This recognition is held by only three colleges in the North West and places the College among the top 10% nationally.
Hugh Baird College has also been ranked the No. 1 further education college in the country for Tech Level 3 Progress and achieved a 100% pass rate across many vocational subjects. Together, these achievements highlight the College’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality education and outstanding learner achievement.
One of the many success stories at Hugh Baird College is that of Mohammad Awad, an 18-year-old from Bootle who has achieved an outstanding result in his GCSE Maths. Mohammad, who earned a Grade 8 in Maths, can now pursue his dream of pursuing a career in Engineering.
Mohammed said:
“I was really surprised when I opened my results and saw I’d achieved a grade 8 in Maths – I didn’t expect it at all.”
“I only moved here from Palestine in 2023, so everything was new and quite difficult at first, but I’ve worked hard and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.”
“Getting this result has given me the confidence to take the next step and pursue engineering, which I’ve always wanted to do.”
Another inspiring example of student success is Matty Arrands, aged 53, from Anfield. Matty said:
“After a brain injury left me unable to read or write, it’s been a long journey to get here. Now that I’ve passed my English, it feels amazing. I was so nervous this morning, but opening my results was incredible.”
“I want to thank my tutors, the college and the NHS who supported me. Inspired by the care I’ve received, I now want to work in the mental health sector.”
Lee Thomas, Robbie Evans and Jandi Korsey, all employees at Aintree University Hospital, celebrated success after achieving passes in GCSE Combined Science, a key qualification they needed to progress further in their NHS careers.
Robbie Evans, from Walton, said:
“I felt like I was 16 again. I tried to convince myself I wasn’t nervous, but that all went away as soon as I opened my results. Working at Aintree Hospital, this qualification means I can now move forward in my career, and I’m excited for the opportunities it will bring.”
“The support at Hugh Baird College has been incredible. From the tutors to the service staff, I have huge respect for the help they’ve given me to achieve my results.”
Leanne Harpur, Director of English, Maths and ESOL, said:
“I’m incredibly proud of our students. Their commitment and determination have truly paid off, and this is reflected in the exceptional GCSE results they’ve achieved this year, which are above the national average.”
“In our Outstanding Ofsted report, inspectors praised how our students and apprentices are ‘very well prepared for what they want to do next’ and that ‘an increasing number achieve high grades.’ These GCSE results continue that story. On behalf of everyone at Hugh Baird College, I wish our students the very best as they take their next steps.”
Applications at Hugh Baird College are still open for September 2025 entry. Visit www.hughbaird.ac.uk to learn more and apply.
National average data: Association of Colleges’ Post-16 GCSE English and maths Results briefing: August 2025.