On cloud 9: incredible number of top grades for Class of 2026
Published: Thu 20 August 2026
Students at Plashet, City of London Academy are celebrating top GCSE results today, with more than 200 grade 9s awarded.
- 200+ grade 9 GCSEs awarded at Plashet, with many straight 9 pupils
- Plashet recently joined City of London Academies Trust
- City of London Academies Trust commended by Secretary of State for Education for excellence academic outcomes this year
Straight 9 grades for top-achieving girls
Among the incredible number of top-achieving girls at Plashet, Sivithi and Fatima both achieved straight 9 grades – 20 grade 9 GCSEs between them.
Reflecting on her top grades, Sivithi (pictured, right) said:
“Plashet is a really important place for me. I built my confidence here, made amazing friends and the support of my teachers got me to where I want to be. I’m now going to enrol at NCS and hope to get the A level grades I need to study Medicine.”
Rachel McGowan, Principal at Plashet, City of London Academy said:
“It has been a whirlwind 20 minutes this morning as our excited girls rushed through the gates. Our parents looked more nervous than their daughters. I am delighted for our Class of 2026, and you can see from the number of staff who are here to celebrate with our pupils, just how proud we are of all our students’ achievements. More than 200 grade 9s were achieved this year, a phenomenal set of results.”
Plashet, City of London Academy has a rich history of educational excellence in east London spanning almost 100 years and recently joined City of London Academies Trust. Alongside Newham Collegiate Sixth Form in East Ham, Plashet and City of London Academies Trust are committed to delivering exceptional academic outcomes alongside rich experience and opportunities for personal growth for young people in Newham.
City of London Academies Trust empowers more than 3,000 young people across east London by ensuring every pupil has access to a high-quality education alongside unique enrichment opportunities for personal development funded by their sponsor, the City of London Corporation.
Mark Emmerson, Chief Executive of City of London Academies Trust said:
“Congratulations to our students on their hard-earned results. Their individual achievements are a true cause for celebration and cap a brilliant year for City of London Academies Trust – a year in which our Trust was commended by the Secretary of State for the excellence outcomes of our most disadvantaged pupils. Thank you to our dedicated staff whose hard work makes days like these so rewarding for everyone involved.”
Steve Goodman, Chair of City of London Academies Trust said:
“Another fantastic set of results for our students! These achievements reflect the hard work, resilience, and ambition of each and every one of them – and we are very proud of them all. A big thank you to all our excellent school staff who have supported our students throughout.
I also want to recognise the vital role of our sponsor, the City of London Corporation. Its unwavering commitment to education helps us deliver excellence across all our schools. We are raising aspirations, opening doors, and creating real opportunities for the future. Social mobility is at the heart of everything we do – and with the City Corporation’s support, we are building a future for each and every one of our students.”