Students, staff and parents at a Muslim Girls school have been celebrating exceptional GCSE results, placing the school as one of the highest achieving in the region and the country.

Eighty-one per cent of students achieved GCSEs with grades 9-5 in English and Maths, whilst 76% achieved the English Baccalaureate  at Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College.

The English Baccalaureate recognises achievement in a range of academic and challenging subjects. 

It is awarded to students who achieve grades 9-5 in English and Maths as well as grades A*-C in two Sciences, a modern foreign language and History or Geography.  

Nationally, around a tenth of students achieve the English Baccalaureate.

This was the first year when new exams in English and Maths – assessed using a 9-1 grading system – were completed by students across the country.

A grade ‘5’ or higher is considered a ‘strong pass’ whilst a grade ‘4’ is considered a ‘standard pass’.


Saaleha Iqbal achieved the top grade ‘9’ in each of the new GCSEs in English Language, English Literature and Maths as well as 6 A* grades and 3 A grades in other subjects.

She said, ‘I am thrilled that my friends and I have done so well.   These exams were much harder than previous years, so we are really pleased to have achieved excellent grades.

"Our teachers were quite amazing all year, so we feel a huge debt of gratitude to them.’

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(Mufti) Hamid Patel, Chief Executive of Tauheedul Education Trust, reflected on the achievements and underlined the wider mission of the school: ‘These really are exceptional outcomes, particularly considering the incredibly challenging new exams this year. 

"Our parents, staff and students deserve huge credit for their efforts.  As well as securing the best exam results, we want our young women to have excellent character, be responsible citizens within their communities and demonstrate a strong commitment to serving others."