ALS is delighted to celebrate its pupils on a strong set of GCSE results.
Of all grades awarded, 38% were at grades 7–9, far above the national average, with an outstanding 10% at the top grade 9, almost double the national rate. These results were underpinned by exceptional Value Added, with pupils achieving, on average, 7.9 grades above their personalised targets across their subjects: 97% of grades exceeded targets by 1 grade.
This continues a strong pattern of academic progress across the school, with pupils of all abilities consistently exceeding their starting-point expectations. As an academically inclusive school, this is of particular significance, and it reflects the ethos at the heart of Arnold Lodge: that happy, confident children, encouraged to be aspirational, make the most outstanding progress: wellbeing is the key to achievement, never at its expense.
In its most recent inspection, in April 2026, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) praised the school for ensuring that pupils "achieve well over time, including in their GCSE and A-level qualifications, and go on to appropriate degree courses or apprenticeships in a range of institutions," and found that "pupils' happiness and wellbeing are central to all decision-making" at the school.
Mr Preston said: "Huge congratulations to our Year 11 pupils on this outstanding set of GCSE results. They are a wonderful reflection of hard work and ambition, and of the unique journey each pupil has taken to get here.
"What I'm most proud of is what sits behind the numbers. Our Value Added results show the real distance each pupil has travelled, not simply where they've ended up, and behind every grade is a story of personal growth, determination and achievement. Pupils have worked tremendously hard while keeping our school values of honesty, kindness and hard work at their core, and I'd like to thank our parents and teachers for everything they have put in alongside them this year. I'm excited to see what these pupils go on to achieve, and delighted that so many will be continuing their ALS journey into Sixth Form."
