Stamford Park Trust Celebrates Outstanding A-Level and GCSE Results Across the Trust

21 August 2025

Stamford Park Trust is delighted to celebrate another year of outstanding academic achievement across its schools and sixth form college. Students, staff and families at Ashton Sixth Form College, Rayner Stephens High School, Longdendale High School and Fairfield High School for Girls are all celebrating exceptional outcomes which reflect their hard work, determination and resilience.

At Ashton Sixth Form College, A-Level and vocational students achieved remarkable success, with a pass rate exceeding 98% and more than half of all A-Level grades awarded at A*–B. Over 80% of A-Level results were graded A*–C, demonstrating the consistently high standards of teaching and learning at the College. Across all qualifications, including BTECs and T Levels, students secured an impressive 986 A*, A, Distinction and Distinction* grades. Thirty-eight courses achieved a 100% pass rate, while vocational students continued the College’s tradition of excellence, with 98% achieving at least a Merit and 85% securing Distinction or Distinction*. The College’s inaugural T Level cohorts in Education & Early Years and Health achieved a 100% pass rate, with 88% awarded Distinction or Merit.

These achievements build on Ashton Sixth Form College’s reputation as one of the leading providers of post-16 education nationally, with outcomes placing the College in the top 10% of providers for student progress on vocational courses and the top 25% for A-Level value added. Many of these successes were achieved by students who had previously attended Trust schools, demonstrating the strength of progression pathways across Stamford Park Trust.

At GCSE level, students across the Trust have also excelled. Rayner Stephens High School recorded the strongest results in its history, with record numbers of students achieving higher grades, including the highest number of Grade 9s ever awarded at the school. Longdendale High School saw notable improvements across a wide range of subjects, including Geography, Spanish and Music, alongside rising EBacc outcomes and continued excellence in creative and vocational subjects. Fairfield High School for Girls, celebrating its first set of results as part of Stamford Park Trust, achieved almost 90% of pupils passing English, with outstanding performances in Physics and Computer Science, and an impressive 87 Grade 9s awarded across the curriculum.

Many GCSE leavers from across the Trust schools are now progressing on to Ashton Sixth Form College, continuing their journey within the Trust and building on their successes at post-16 level. This seamless progression is a hallmark of Stamford Park Trust’s commitment to providing young people in Tameside with the very best opportunities to achieve their ambitions.

Anton McGrath, Chief Executive Officer of Stamford Park Trust, said:
“We are incredibly proud of all our students across the Trust for their achievements this year. These results reflect the hard work and commitment of our young people, the dedication of our staff, and the invaluable support of families and communities. At Stamford Park Trust our vision is ‘Excellence and Ambition for All,’ and this summer’s results show that vision being realised. We congratulate all our leavers and wish them every success as they take their next steps into further study, apprenticeships and future careers.”