Key Points
- Results for SFX Year 11 from Woolton for GCSE and BTEC were released on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
- In total, 55 per cent of students obtained grades 9-4 in English and mathematics.
- There has been a 64 per cent rise in high-end grades 9-7 as compared to the previous year.
- Spanish and Information Technology have been some of the top performing subjects owing to significant improvements made compared to the previous year.
- BTEC candidates performed very well, where 10 per cent managed Distinction* and Distinction grades.
- Callan Wade excelled in all ten subjects and will join SFX Sixth Form.
- Moazzam Ijaz did 12 excellently passed subjects, which includes eight grade 9s and will be studying at The Bluecoat.
- Joseph Cusack did excellently in all ten subjects, which includes seven grade 9s and will be joining Cronton College.
- Mr David Hayes, Headteacher, and Mr Michael Gun-Why, Trust Director, congratulated class of 2026.
- Open evening at SFX will be held on Thursday, 24 September between 4 pm and 7 pm.
Woolton (Liverpool standard) August 20, 2026 – This year’s results reflect positive outcomes across GCSE and BTEC qualifications, with Spanish and IT among the standout subjects following notable improvements on the previous year. Overall, 55 per cent of students were awarded grades 9-4 in English and mathematics, while there was also an overall 64 per cent increase in high-end grades 9-7. Students studying BTEC qualifications also performed strongly, with 10 per cent achieving Distinction* or Distinction grades.
Which subjects stood out in this year’s results?
Spanish and IT emerged as the standout subjects at SFX this year, following notable improvements on the previous year. The academy’s results across the wider curriculum also showed strength, with individual students recording top grade 9s in subjects including biology, chemistry, further mathematics, German, mathematics, physics, geography, art and Spanish.
Who were the standout students at SFX?
Many students will now continue their education at St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Sixth Form, while others will progress to colleges, apprenticeships and training providers as they pursue a wide range of career aspirations.
Among those celebrating today was Callan Wade, who showed great determination with outcomes on average two grades higher than predictions. He secured a series of strong passes in art, business, biology, computer science, English language, English literature, mathematics, history, science, sports studies and religious education. Callan is going on to study IT, history and art at St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Sixth Form.
Callan said:
“I am really pleased that my hard work has paid off and I am now able to come back and study at SFX’s sixth form.”
Also celebrating today was Moazzam Ijaz, who achieved 12 strong passes, including eight grade 9s in biology, chemistry, further mathematics, German, mathematics, physics and Spanish, and will study mathematics and science at The Bluecoat.
Moazzam commented:
“I would like to thank all of the staff at SFX who challenged and supported me.”
Joseph Cusack secured ten strong passes, of which seven were grade 9s including art, chemistry, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, physics and Spanish. Joseph is now preparing to study mathematics, physics and chemistry at Cronton College.
Joseph commented:
“I’ve had good support from all the staff this year, especially those who have given up extra time early in the morning for revision classes all year.”
What did school leaders say about the results?
Mr David Hayes, headteacher of St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy, said: “Today is a proud day for our Xaverians. Watching this year’s Year 11 students reach this milestone has been incredibly rewarding, and today’s results are a reflection of everything they have contributed to school life.
“For generations, SFX has been committed to providing an outstanding Catholic education that helps young people grow not only in knowledge, but also in faith, integrity, ambition and respect. As part of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, we are proud to continue that tradition, and we know our students leave us well prepared for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. We congratulate the class of 2026 and wish them every success for the future.”
Mr Michael Gun-Why, director of secondary education at St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, added:
“The achievements of our Year 11 students are a wonderful moment for the whole SFX community and for us as a trust. Congratulations to students, families, and of course, our dedicated staff.
“St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust has high aspirations for every young person across our family of academies, and today is about seeing those aspirations turn into opportunities. Whether students are moving on to sixth form, college, apprenticeships or another pathway, we are excited to see what they do next.”
When is the SFX open evening?
St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy will open its doors to prospective students and their families at its open evening on Thursday, 24 September between 4pm and 7pm. The event will provide an opportunity to explore the academy, meet staff and students, and discover more about life at SFX and the opportunities available to those joining in September 2027.
Background
Founded in 1842, St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy has been at the heart of Catholic education in Liverpool for almost two centuries. Today, as part of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, the academy continues to combine its proud history with high expectations, helping young people develop the knowledge, character and confidence to flourish. The trust operates a family of academies and holds high aspirations for every young person across its schools, with today’s results representing the latest chapter in SFX’s long-standing tradition of academic and pastoral achievement.
Prediction
For prospective students and their families in uk/local/woolton/">Woolton and across Liverpool, this year’s results reinforce SFX’s standing as a strong choice for Catholic secondary education. The 64 per cent rise in top grades 9-7 and the strength shown in Spanish and IT suggest the academy’s academic standards are on an upward trajectory, which is likely to draw increased interest at the open evening on 24 September. For the class of 2026 themselves, the results open clear pathways into sixth form, college and apprenticeships, while for the wider St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, the outcomes provide evidence of the success of its high-aspiration model across its family of academies. Families considering September 2027 entry will be watching closely to see whether SFX can sustain this momentum in the coming academic year.
