• 91% of students have secured their destination of choice
• 75% of results at the top Distinction* grade for first students taking BTEC Sport
• 15 students celebrate straight A*/A grades, with four students achieving straight A*s
• 75% of all grades at A*-B
• Half of all boarders’ grades at A*/A

Celebrations are underway at New Hall School in Chelmsford as Year 13 students received their A Level and BTEC results. Surrounded by teachers, friends and family, students came together to recognise their hard work and achievements, and to celebrate an important milestone as they prepare for their next steps.

91% of students have secured their destination of choice, gaining places at some of the world’s leading universities, including Oxford, École Polytechnique, Bath, Durham, Exeter, University College London, Warwick, University of the Arts London, King’s College London, and the London School of Economics. New Hall also supports students pursuing alternative pathways, with members of this year’s cohort securing highly competitive apprenticeships with leading organisations, such as award-winning Wealth Manager, Rathbones.

At New Hall, 75% of all A Level grades awarded are at A*-B, with half of all boarders’ grades at A*/A. 15 students achieved straight A*/A grades, with four students securing straight A* grades. This year, New Hall’s first ever cohort of students studying BTEC Sport celebrated exceptional results, with 75% of grades at the highest level (Distinction*) which is equivalent to A* at A Level, and 100% of grades at Distinction*/Distinction (equivalent to A*/A). From September 2026, as well as the BTEC Diploma in Sport, New Hall is introducing the BTEC Extended Certificate in Performing Arts. These recent additions to New Hall’s Sixth Form curriculum reflect our commitment to offering a broad and inspiring range of subjects, ensuring every student can thrive and prepare for their future

Principal, Mrs Katherine Jeffrey, who this year celebrates 25 years of headship and is the longest serving Head in New Hall’s history, and the longest serving Head in the HMC, said: “We are immensely proud of our students, and these results reflect their hard work and determination. Alongside excelling academically, this cohort has contributed enormously to the wider life of the School through sporting achievements, the performing arts, and service to the community. Today, we celebrate the remarkable young adults they have become, along with their outstanding examination results. We look forward to seeing them carry New Hall’s values of care, trust and respect into the next chapter of their lives.

Students achieved particularly strong results across STEM subjects. In Physics, a superb 50% of grades were at A*, with 75% of grades at A*/A, and in Further Mathematics, 67% of grades were at A*, with 83% of grades at A*/A. The outstanding achievement across STEM subjects has facilitated the progression of a large number of New Hall students to STEM related degrees. Building on his outstanding clean sweep of 11 grade 9 GCSEs at New Hall, Ned Broderick, alumnus of Brentwood Preparatory School, boarder, achieved three A*s in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics and an A in Chemistry, securing his place to read Mathematics at Magdalen College, Oxford. One of New Hall’s highest achievers, Danis Begovic, full boarder, alumnus of Second Gymnasium Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, achieved A* grades in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and Economics, and has secured a place to study for a Bachelor of Science at École Polytechnique, Paris. Danis’ impressive results reflect New Hall’s strength in preparing students for highly competitive academic pathways, both in the UK and internationally.

Other STEM highlights include: William Henson, alumnus of Widford Lodge Preparatory School, who achieved four A*s in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and in his Extended Project Qualification, is studying Medicine at the University of East Anglia; Aurora Navti, alumna of St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, full boarder, who achieved A* in Biology, and As in Chemistry and Mathematics, will be studying Medicine at Queen Mary University of London; Stanley Bailey, alumnus of Alleyn Court Preparatory School, who achieved three A*s in Further Mathematics, Mathematics and Physics and an A in Chemistry, will be studying Physics at the University of Manchester; Louis Spriggs, alumnus of New Hall Prep, who achieved four A*s in Biology, Economics, Further Mathematics and Mathematics, securing his place to read Economics at the University of Warwick; and Sarah Ellingworth, alumna of Ursuline Preparatory School, who achieved three A*s in Biology, Geography, and Mathematics, securing her place to read Geography at the University of Exeter.  

This cohort of STEM achievers follows in the footsteps of New Hall’s alumni (Old Fishes) Ning Ding and Lucy Greenwood, who have excelled in STEM qualifications and careers. After New Hall, Ning Ding (Old Fish, 2010–2012) studied Psychology at the University of St Andrews, before completing her PhD in Psychology at the University of Cambridge. She is now a Senior Applied Researcher at Prolific, an innovative data and research company. Lucy Greenwood (Old Fish, 2004–2016) completed an integrated Master’s in Mathematics at the University of Oxford, followed by an MSc in Modelling for Global Health, also at Oxford, and a DPhil in Health Data Science at the Nuffield Department of Medicine. Her academic journey highlights the powerful role that mathematics and mathematical modelling can play in addressing some of the world’s most important health challenges. Ning and Lucy are inspiring examples for the next generation of STEM achievers from New Hall School, showing where curiosity, ambition and a passion for STEM can lead.

The Modern Languages Department has also had another exceptional year, and continues to buck national trends, with 56% of grades at A*, and 81% of grades at A*/A. This demonstrates the strength of our award-winning Modern Languages Programme, which integrates the teaching of French and Spanish with practical applications, such as cookery.

Other top achievers include, Florence Duggan, alumna of The Cathedral School, whose A*s in English and History and A in Theology have secured her place to read English Literature at Durham University. Florence is the third Duggan sibling to attend New Hall and progress to Durham, following in the footsteps of her brothers, Archie, a former Deputy Head Boy, and Oscar. Also celebrating is Alyssa Ye, a full boarder from China, who secured an unconditional offer to study Fashion Textiles: Print at the prestigious University of the Arts London, following the submission of her outstanding art portfolio which led to her achieving an A* grade in A Level Fine Art.

Dr Paul Tiffen, Vice Principal, whose son Harry Tiffen, alumnus of New Hall Prep, boarder, has secured a place to study Japanese at the University of Manchester, said: “Congratulations to all of our students on their excellent results, which reflect the dedication and ambition they have shown throughout their Sixth Form studies. I would also like to thank our dedicated staff and supportive families, whose encouragement has played such an important part in our students’ success.”

New Hall has a distinguished record of success in securing places at Oxford and Cambridge, which continues this year. Alongside Ned Broderick, who will be studying Mathematics at Magdalen College, Oxford, Head Boy and boarder, Max Pietrzak, who has attended New Hall since the age of four, has secured his place to read Classics at St Hilda’s College, Oxford. Reflecting on his time at New Hall, Max said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my educational journey at New Hall. During my time here, I have been in the Ski, Rugby, and Hockey teams and performed in multiple Drama productions, and choral and instrumental ensembles, alongside balancing my responsibilities as Head of School. Whatever your interests, there will always be incredible support from the inspirational teachers at New Hall.”

New Hall’s Oxbridge Society supports students throughout the highly competitive application process through specialist guidance, admissions-test preparation and mock interviews. Mr Paul Goulding, Head of Sixth Form and Oxbridge Co-ordinator, commented: “We are extremely proud to see that New Hall’s longstanding tradition of supporting students in securing places at Oxbridge continues this year. Max and Ned join a distinguished cohort of Old Fishes who have gone on to study at Oxford and Cambridge, continuing a proud tradition of academic excellence and achievement.”

New Hall’s boarding students were among those celebrating particularly impressive results, with half of their grades at A*/A, and 75% at A*-B. New Hall offers full and flexible boarding at Sixth Form, enabling students to choose an arrangement that complements their studies, co-curricular commitments, and family life. Mr Samuel Carroll, Director of Boarding, said: “These results reflect our boarders’ hard work and commitment, and have been supported by the supplementary academic enrichment available in boarding. This is complemented by the extensive evening and weekend activities programme, giving boarders the opportunity to explore and pursue their interests beyond the classroom. Alongside their academic achievements, our boarders leave New Hall with the confidence and independence needed for university life, having developed lasting friendships with students from around the world.”

A parent shared their elation at their child’s successes, “We are incredibly proud of everything our child has achieved and are very grateful to the School for the support they have received. It feels very emotional to be reaching the end of our family’s time at New Hall.”