The Birkenhead Park School marked a further step in its improvement story on Thursday as Year 11 pupils collected GCSE results showing strong individual performances and the continuation of an upward trend the school says began in 2022.
Top marks and clear destinations
Among the highest achievers was a student named Mark, who secured six grade 9s and four grade 8s. He will move on to Birkenhead Sixth Form College to study politics, geography and maths, and told staff the extra sessions available through Saturday School had made a clear difference.
"I've had a good time at BPS. I also enjoyed Saturday School. It was very accessible and helped me get great grades."
Another former head boy, Kalieb, also celebrated results that will take him to Birkenhead Sixth Form College to study history, politics and RE. The school highlighted his ambition as an example of how students are being encouraged to aim high.
Leaders point to broader change, not just exam grades
Staff and the governing trust emphasised that the transformation at the school is not limited to exam performance. The EPART Educational Trust, led by CEO Mike Kilbride MBE, and Head of School Nicola McNamee have been credited by the school for steering changes since 2022 aimed at improving pupil behaviour and outcomes.
Headteacher Mrs Dawes said that Results Day is about more than grades — it recognises young people who have worked through challenges and progressed towards their futures.
"Results Day is always incredibly special because behind every grade is a young person who has worked hard, overcome challenges and taken another step towards their future,"
She added:
"The greatest thing we can give a young person is belief in what they are capable of. Today, our students leave us knowing that their future is full of possibilities. We couldn't be prouder of them."
What the school says is changing
The Birkenhead Park School highlighted several strands that it says underpin the improving results:
- Higher expectations for attendance and behaviour across the school.
- Stronger staff–student relationships, according to leaders.
- Expanded enrichment and careers education, including educational visits and additional support sessions such as Saturday School.
Those elements, the school says, are designed to support both academic progress and the broader development of pupils so they are ready for further study or training.
Local impact and what comes next
For Birkenhead the story matters beyond one cohort. A steady improvement at a large local secondary can influence Sixth Form intake, local post-16 choices and community confidence in the town's education offer. The school’s continued partnership with EPART Educational Trust and its leadership team will be watched closely by parents and local education stakeholders.
Alongside individual success stories, the school is using the narrative of transformation to attract pupils, encourage higher expectations and lay claim to improved prospects for young people across the area. With leading students moving to Birkenhead Sixth Form College, the town retains academic talent and keeps post-16 pathways local.
| Student | Key results / subjects | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Mark | 6 x grade 9, 4 x grade 8 — politics, geography, maths | Birkenhead Sixth Form College (politics, geography, maths) |
| Kalieb | Results suitable for history, politics, RE | Birkenhead Sixth Form College (history, politics, RE) |
School leaders were clear that while exam days bring celebration, the long-term test will be sustained improvement in outcomes, attendance and behaviour across future cohorts. For now, families and staff in Birkenhead will take encouragement from another year of solid results and visible signs that the school’s stated turnaround is yielding results.
