White City Academies Celebrate A Level Success

Headteachers praise students at Phoenix and Ark Burlington Danes

White City's secondary academies, Ark Burlington Danes and Phoenix are celebrating their A Level results, with many excited students now heading for top universities.

Ark Burlington Danes Academy reports a strong set of Sixth Form results, with over half - 51% - gaining three A* to C grades and 30% gaining three or more at B to A* 30%

Among the top subjects were Maths. In a class of 22, 11 gained As or A* grades while in Further Maths, of a class of six, four gained A or A*.

Among the high flyers is Ezra Gill, who achieved three A* grades and is off to the University of Bristol to study History. "I took History, Philosophy and Ethics and Maths,"  said Ezra. "I was not expecting these results. I got here by revising hard, locking myself away and because of great teachers. Teachers are really dedicated here, I'm grateful for their help.

" I'm just completely shocked," added Ezra. "I don't really don't know what to do. And my parents will be as shocked as I am!"

Hana, pictured here celebrating with biology teacher Josephine Annan, studied Biology, Chemistry and Maths and achieved three As.

"I worked really hard so this is what I wanted to get in the end so I’m really happy with what I got," said Hana. "I feel like I deserved it! The whole two years I dedicated to revision and talking to teachers. Miss Murugan, my Chemistry teacher, really helped me. She is just an amazing teacher, she was so engaged. Because she loved chemistry, we loved it too. I love those kinds of teachers. Also Miss Annan, who teaches Biology, supported me as well

"I want to go and do Pharmacy at UCL. My parents were so happy, when I told them my offer. I’m looking forward to university, I want to go through the university experience and see what it’s like.  The future should be really good from here."

Several pupils at the Wood Lance school also did really well in BTec and are heading off to Russell group universities to study business or nursing.

Principal Michael Ribton, principal, said: " There's no secret to success at A level, it is all about hard work. I am so proud of our pupils and the way they have approached this year's exams. And it is wonderful that across the land so many pupils from of our community are pursuing their dreams. Congratulations to them and a massive thanks to the amazing staff of this school.

At Phoenix Academy, staff and students were celebrating their first A level results since becoming an academy last September.

Aumber of students at the school, in The Curve, have secured places at leading universities, including University of London institutions such as King’s College London, SOAS, Goldsmiths and City.

Among the top students were Nimo Noordin Ahmed achieved As in English, psychology and sociology. Hazel Oldershaw picked up three A*s in her diploma in childcare & education, one of several vocational courses run by the school’s sixth form.

Among those studying for BTEC qualifications, Imam Ghaseni and Parvis Khalique both achieved three distinctions in their BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in sports science. The pair will be starting sports science degrees at Brunel University in the autumn.

Reece Gairy got two distinctions and a merit on the same BTEC, and has earned a place at the University of Roehampton to study sport and education.

Khalis Ibrahim and Anisa Zasella were among the others to achieve three As or three distinctions on their courses.

Gladys Alvarado achieved two BTEC distinctions and one D, to secure a place on a nursing course at Queen Mary College.

Marc Manoza achieved a distinction and two merits and will be off to the University of Westminster later this year to study media.

Headteacher Michael Taylor hailed some 'remarkable success stories' among his students receiving A-level results this year.

"I am pleased and proud of our students today," he said. "Their hard work and commitment has paid off, and a significant number have overcome some major obstacles to achieve their results.

"The majority of our students will be going on to university, and we wish them every success for the future."

August 21, 2017