Hackney schools make history – again!
A year after their GCSE results soared above the national average for the first time, schools across Hackney have unveiled another set of record-breaking results.
Several schools in the borough, including Our Lady’s Convent High School, Clapton Girls’ Technology School, Haggerston School and Hackney Free and Parochial Church of England Secondary School, have recorded their best ever GCSE results this year on the back of a host of stunning individual performances.
Provisional results indicate that Hackney is above the national average for the second year in a row, with around 55 per cent of students achieving five or more GCSEs (including English and Maths) at A*-C, compared to 52 per cent last year.
At Our Lady’s Convent High School, 71 per cent of students received 5 or more GCSEs including English and Maths at A*-C, an improvement on the 69 per cent achieved last year – a remarkable result given that this cohort of students were ranked lower than their predecessors when they began their studies.
Headteacher Jane Gray said: “The secret of our success? We’re putting the right children on the right courses. We’re so much better at pupil tracking – we make it really clear to pupils what they need to do to get to the next step and we make sure they’re really motivated to get there.”
Students at Clapton Girls’ Technology College were also celebrating, as 60 per cent of students achieved 5 or more GCSEs including English and Maths at A*-C, compared to 47 per cent last year, despite the distraction of refurbishment work at the school for much of their two years of study.
Headteacher Cheryl Day said: “These are outstanding results – better than the national average and our best ever in our history. There are a lot of happy girls today, they’ve done brilliantly. This is what happens when you bring together inspiring teachers and motivated students.”
Haggerston School also saw a big leap in the achievements of its year 11 students, with 56 per cent of students gaining at least 5 GCSEs including English and Maths at A* to C, compared to 49 per cent last year.
Chair of governors Barry O’Brien said: “We are very pleased with these record results, building further on last year’s improvements. We congratulate the students for their hard work, and the teachers who helped achieve these excellent results.”
At Hackney Free, which is currently celebrating its 490th anniversary, 42 per cent of students achieved 5 or more GCSEs including English and Maths at A*-C, compared to 30 per cent in 2009.
Headteacher Richard Brown said: “These are the best GCSE results in the school’s history. The number of children passing 5 GCSEs including English and Maths has doubled in the last two years. The students, supported by their parents, have worked really hard and deserve their success.”
Alan Wood, chief executive of The Learning Trust said: “These tremendous results are a deserved reward for the hard work of teachers, governors, parents, support staff and, most particularly, the students themselves. Hackney’s schools have enjoyed a remarkable renaissance over the past few years and these results represent fantastic progress in our efforts to provide every young person in Hackney with the opportunity to fulfil his or her potential.”
Here are just a few of Hackney’s student success stories:
Our Lady’s Convent High School: Francesca Gilbert,16
Francesca received an amazing set of results, fitting in revision and school studies around her four hour daily stint of viola practice. This dedicated young musician, who performs with a number of orchestras including the London Schools Symphony Orchestra, received 3 A*s (in History, Music and single award Science), 5As (in English Language, English Literature, Geography, Religious Studies and Additional Science), 2 Bs (in Astronomy and French). Her results have won her a place to study Music, History and Geography at the highly-regarded Wellington College. Her ambition is to become a professional soloist.
“I’m really excited about going to Wellington and the chance to experience a new and completely different culture to that of Our Lady’s and the other schools I’ve known. It almost feels like a foreign country!”
Clapton Girls’ Technology College: Murshida Mirzan, 16 (pictured, with her proud father Mubin)
Murshida was one of Hackney’s highest achievers, scoring a remarkable 11A*s in her GCSEs. Next year, she plans to stay on at Clapton Girls and study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and History. Further down the line, her hopes lie in entering the medical profession.
“I had the motivation to do well. I knew that my parents and my teachers had faith in me and that gave me a huge amount of support. In the future I’d like to repay that faith by giving something back to other people, maybe as a doctor or a dentist.”
Hackney Free: Beatrice Mensah, 16
Beatrice came to UK from Ghana just two years ago but she is already streets ahead of her classmates, receiving 1 A*, 5 As and 3 Bs in her GSCEs. A keen athlete and volley ball player, she hopes to become a sports physiotherapist and will study Biology, Chemistry and Psychology at A Level.
She said: “I can’t believe it, I’m so surprised! I didn’t do so well in my mock exams so I’m delighted with these results.”
Hackney Free: Corey Williams, 16
Corey received an extra special present on his birthday this year – 5 As in his GCSEs. He puts his success down to listening hard in class and had a special mention for his history teacher , Mr Bennett. He will be going on to study Art, Business, Law and Psychology at A Level.
He said: “I didn’t study too much at home but found in class that it all really sunk in. Mr Bennett was my best teacher, he explained things really well.”
Haggerston: Courtney Caton, 16
Courtney has revealed the secret to GCSE success – don’t take a day off school! As well as having achieved 9 A*s and 3 As, she has a 100 per cent attendance record for the past five years. She will be studying English Literature, French, Maths and History at A Level.
She said: “I worked really hard and pushed myself but it was in the last month before the exams that I got serious. I’ve been so lucky to have loads of good teachers too.”
Clapton Girls’ Technology College: Halimah Akindele-Oladeinde, 16
Just two years ago, Halimah frequently skipped school and her grades reflected this. After receiving disappointing mock exam results, Halimah decided it was time to take action. She attended a Saturday school and received support from teacher Ms Hellewell. Today she is celebrating after achieving an A in Sociology, 3 Bs in English Language, English Literature and History and 5 Cs. She hopes to become a midwife and will stay on at Clapton to do Psychology, Biology and Double Health and Social Care.
She said: “In years 9 and 10 I missed a lot of school. I just stayed at home and my mum was upset. When I didn’t do so well in my mock GCSEs I realised I could do better. Ms Hellewell really helped me out and made sure I did all my coursework.”
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