Students at St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy (SFX) in Woolton have been celebrating their achievements after receiving their GCSE, A-level and BTEC results this summer.

Across two memorable results days, Year 13 and Year 11 students returned to SFX to mark an important milestone in their education, celebrate with friends, families and staff, and look ahead to their next steps.

Part of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust (SJCMAT), SFX has been at the heart of Catholic education in Liverpool since 1842 and today continues to combine its proud history with high expectations, helping young people develop the knowledge, character and confidence to flourish.

Sixth form students received their A-level and BTEC results on Thursday, 13 August, with many securing places at university, apprenticeships, employment and further study.

This year, 85 per cent of A-level students are heading to university, with 60 per cent progressing to their first-choice institution. Overall, 62 per cent of A-level students achieved grades A*-C and 94 per cent achieved A*-E, while 74 per cent of BTEC students secured Distinction to Merit grades.

Among those celebrating was Zak Mainwaring, who achieved A*, A*, A in geography, history and religious studies and will now study law at the University of Liverpool.

Zak said: “I am absolutely buzzing with my results and so excited for my future. Thank you to all the staff at SFX who have supported and challenged me over the years to succeed as I have.”

Year 11 students then returned to the academy on Thursday, 20 August to collect their GCSE and BTEC results, marking the end of their secondary education and the beginning of a new chapter.

This year’s results included 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, alongside a 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.

Among the Year 11 students celebrating was Callan Wade, who demonstrated great determination to achieve outcomes on average two grades higher than predictions. Callan secured a series of strong passes across his subjects and will 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.”

Mr David Hayes, headteacher of St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy, said: “These results days have given us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our Xaverians and everything they have contributed to life at SFX.

“At SFX, we believe in helping every young person to flourish and experience ‘life in all its fullness’. Our students have shown faith, integrity, ambition and respect throughout their time with us, and it has been a privilege to see them grow into confident young people ready for their next chapter.

Mr Hayes added: “I would also like to thank our dedicated staff, families, governors and the wider SJCMAT community for the encouragement and support they have given our students.”

Mr Michael Gun-Why, director of secondary education at St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, added: “Congratulations to all of our students and their families, and to the dedicated staff at SFX who have supported and encouraged them throughout their education. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved and look forward to seeing what they do next.”

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.