Impressive GCSE Results for Shepherd's Bush Pupils
Students at local schools do well despite Covid related challenges
Hammersmith Academy pupils with headteacher Gary Kynaston
Students at schools in Shepherd’s Bush have achieved an impressive set of results in their GCSEs and BTECs, despite the Covid disruption.
Teachers assessed grades for their students after exams were cancelled for a second year.
GCSE results are graded on a numerical system, with 9 being the highest and 1 the lowest, rather than the old A to E system. Grades 9, 8 and 7 correspond to the previous top grades of A* and A.
At Ark Burlington Danes Academy, high performers in this year’s GCSEs were Yaseen Ahmed with eight grade 9s and two 8s, Fardowsa Hersi who achieved eight grade 9s, and five 8s, and Sarah Aly who received eight grade 9s, a grade 8 and a grade 6.
Sarah Aly, aged 16, said, “I’m feeling really good. At first I found learning from home really hard as I wasn’t used to it, but it got easier and I learned a lot. I’m going to be coming back to Burlington Danes for Sixth Form and will study Maths, Chemistry and Biology.
“At university I’m hoping to do something like forensic chemistry or chemical engineering. It’s really inspiring hearing about where Burlington Danes Academy students go to university, such as the student who got an unconditional offer from Oxford. My dream is to go to Imperial College.”
In order to support students throughout the lockdowns and beyond, the school distributed Google Chromebooks to all students who needed them and ran a full timetable of live, online lessons. More widely, families were supported through our school foodbank, for which teachers and students raised over £17000 and supported our students pastorally, be it via regular pastoral check ins for all students whilst learning from home or specialist support from agencies such as Place2Be or Mind.
Among Ark Burlington Danes Academy’s other high performers in this year’s GCSEs were:
• Cherif Kherkhache - 7 grade 9s, 2 grade 8s, 1 grade 7
• Christian Casimir - 5 grade 9s, 3 grade s8, 6
• Dina Elawad - 5 grade 9s, 3 grade 8s, 1 6
• Aiysha Rahman - 3 grade 9s, 5 grade 8s, 2 grade 7
Hammersmith Academy Headteacher, Gary Kynaston, was delighted with his pupils’ grades following a difficult two years during the pandemic.
“This is a really impressive set of results from our Year 11 cohort. Our results have been consistently high over the last six years and the achievements of this cohort raises the bar further still,” he said.
“We continue to exceed all national attainment measures including 70 per cent of all our GCSE students achieving the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), which provides students with a multitude of academic pathways for further study.
“This is all the more notable given students have had, in effect, two consecutive years with periods of disrupted classroom time. They have proven to be resilient and adaptable learners with a real desire to succeed. We are pleased that we have been able to support students and their families with our Digital Equality Initiative which provided every student with a personal Chromebook, ensuring no student missed out on online lessons and digital resources.”
The school’s standout pupils included Ermir Bela who achieved a spectacular nine grade 9s.
Sahra Abdi followed closely behind with an impressive right grade 9s and a grade 8 as she looks to eventually study medicine at university.
She said, “I’m really happy and a bit shocked! My parents are really proud. They knew how hard I worked for these results. The support from the Academy has been fantastic. The teachers were really supportive throughout the whole process.
“I am already looking forward to studying Biology and Chemistry in the Academy’s Sixth Form and eventually medicine at university. I would like to give a huge thanks to Mr Montero and Ms Moore, they have been so supportive and helped me during this time.”
Ruby Foley was over the moon with her grades too following the difficult year. She achieved eight grade 9s and a grade 8.
“I feel really good! My mum is so proud and relieved after such a tough year for both students and teachers so to get these results is just fantastic,” added Ruby.
“My next step is A-Levels so I am over the moon to be going on to that. I have had great support from the Academy especially given the circumstances. I am extremely grateful to my Head of Year Ms Whittaker and to Mr McLaughlin and Ms Simonovski, for their passion and keeping me positive.”
While Alaa Elmi secured seven grade 9s and two grade 8s continuing her family’s high achieving record this week with both her elder twin sisters going on to study medicine at university.
She added, “When I received my results I was somewhat shocked but really satisfied. My family are super happy and very proud of me. The support from Hammersmith Academy has been amazing, any bump in the road has been smoothed out and I would like to thank everyone. If there was one less person on my journey at the Academy I don’t think I would have achieved these grades. I am going on to study Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Spanish and I wish to go on to university.”
Salvatore Sorrentino secured eight grade 9s and a grade 8 while Shuaib Ali attained seven grade 9s and two grade 8s.
Erica Kemp was awarded seven grade 9s and two grade 8s. She explained: “I was really happy when I got my results and my parents are very proud. The support from Hammersmith Academy has been great I am now going on to study Chemistry, Maths and Geography and I’m very excited for the next step.”
Other top achievers include Harsha Mehra with seven grade 9s, a grade 8 and a grade 7, Kamal Ferchiche with six grade 9s, a grade 8, a grade 7 and a grade 6 and Safwan Uddin with five grade 9s, two grade 8s and two grade 7s.
Headteacher Gary Kynaston continued: “Students should be very proud of their achievements regardless of them not being able to sit the traditional national summer exams. They have had to demonstrate their ability through a rigorous assessment process including tests and assessed pieces of work over a large part of their courses.
“Many of our Year 11 students will start the next chapter of their studies in our Sixth Form and we look forward to them returning in September and progressing towards university and future careers.
“I thank the teachers and staff who have worked with such dedication in supporting our students and ensuring they make the progress that they deserve, and to the parents who have worked closely with us every step of the way.”
Westside pupils made head teacher Patricia Hanley proud once again this year with their GCSE exam results.
“We are delighted that our students have continued to achieve to their full potential in the GCSE examinations this year,” said the Westside School head teacher.
“As an Alternative Provision, it is important that students at Westside are given the same opportunities to achieve as their peers in mainstream settings. This year the tradition continues with our students gaining the qualifications that they need to move on to the next stage of their education, training or employment.
“As always, thanks must go to the staff at Westside who supported the students throughout the challenges of the past 18 months; huge congratulations to the students themselves who worked exceptionally hard this year to ensure that they could provide the evidence required to justify their grades. They can be proud of their well-earned achievements, as am I.”
Cllr Larry Culhane, H&F Cabinet Member for Children & Education said, “This has been a tough time for our students and schools, but they have shown incredible resilience and determination over the past 18 months. Just getting to this stage is an incredible achievement,” he said.
“We should all be proud of our teenagers who have had to overcome extraordinary challenges through the pandemic. They really are the heart and soul of this borough. This includes our local students who successfully retook their exams this year giving hope to those who did not get the results they were hoping for this week.
“Our schools often go above and beyond what is expected of them but during this pandemic they have moved mountains to ensure our local students have the best possible chances in the future and we are eternally grateful to them for that.”
GCSE results nationally saw top grades (7/As and above) rise to 28.9% compared to 26.2% in 2020, while grades 4/Cs and above - seen as passes - rose to 77.1% up from 76.3%.
Teachers submitted grades for the more than half a million pupils on GCSE courses this year, using evidence such as mock exams, course work and tests.
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August 16, 2021