GCSE results 2021: the latest from Hackney schools

From 8am, 15 and 16-year-olds will be opening their results, which for the second successive year will be awarded on the basis of mock tests, coursework and teacher predictions, rather than a formal exam.

After the government made a u-turn on their controversial algorithm last year, exam boards have been instead making random checks to ensure quality control.

Result day has been brought forward to an earlier August date this year to allow more time for appeals to be made to the exam board or school. Schools opened only two days ago for A Level results.

To learn more about the grading system used for GCSE, visit ofqual.blog.gov.uk/2018/03/02/gcse-9-to-1-grades-a-brief-guide-for-parents

You can email your results and pictures to holly.chant@archant.co.uk

Hackney schools are listed in alphabetical order...

"Cracking set of results" for Cardinal Pole pupils

%image(15008992, type="article-full", alt="Cardinal Pole Catholic School Students check out their GCSE results.")

"Hard work and dedication" from GCSE students at Cardinal Pole Catholic School has led to "fantastic results", teachers say.

The Homerton school off Morning Lane saw the majority of students (84 per cent) get a grade 4 or above in maths. Sixty-five per cent achieved 5 or above and 28 per cent of students showed-off their talent for numbers by getting grades 7-9 in the subject.

Results for English saw 81pc of grades at 4 or above, 65pc grade 6 or above and 28pc with grades 7 or higher.

Star student Jecolia Williams secured seven grade 9s, the top grade in the GCSE marking system

Jecolia said: “It has taken a lot of consistent hard work and dedication through the years to get the results that I have.

"I’m extremely thankful to all the teachers who have helped me get here. They have believed in me and have helped me believe in myself. They have pushed me to work hard and be the best version of myself in both my personal and academic life.”

%image(15008994, type="article-full", alt="Cardinal Pole Catholic School students on GCSE results day.")

Alex Wei, with seven grade 9s, added: " “I want to thank Cardinal Pole for helping me develop my character and for all the friends and teachers that I cherish.”

Student Tai Samdee Cadby was awarded nine grade 9s, Matthew Michael achieved eight grade 9s and Fatou N’Doye secured seven grade 9s.

Alex Parker and Afolabi Akinola, head of Year 11 and pastoral support manager, said "Our year group has been a pleasure to guide and support through five years of education. They have each grown into high achieving individuals who are both caring, determined. We are so proud of them all and wish them all the very best in their next steps."

%image(15008995, type="article-full", alt="Cardinal Pole Catholic School students show off excellent GCSE results.")

Associate headteacher Adam Hall said students have delivered "another cracking set of results", adding: "An outstanding cohort of young people, they have shown extraordinary resilience and will to achieve, they deserve their every success."

Jane Heffernan, Executive Headteacher said: "I am especially pleased to report the fantastic results of our students this year, despite the challenges which they faced with determination and fortitude. Our outstanding GCSE success has continued and it is a credit to the efforts of staff and students working together to secure these”.

The City Academy in Hackney celebrates "excellent results"

%image(15008996, type="article-full", alt="Hackney's The City Academy students Umar Ali and Kunbi Sokunbi show off their excellent GCSE results.")

Students from The City Academy are celebrating "excellent" GCSE results today with 79 per cent achieving five or more grades 9-4.

The majority of students (83pc) at the school on Homerton Row were awarded grades 9-4 in English and 74pc received the same grades in maths.

Top performing students include David Williams who received nine grade 9s and a grade 7, Frederic Kennedy with seven grade 9s and three grade 8s and Umar Ali with seven grade 9s, one grade 8 and a grade 7.

Abbie Meadowcroft got six grade 9s, three grade 8s and a grade 7, while Kunbi Sokunbi received three grade 9s, four grade 8s and three grade 7s.

Headteacher of The City Academy, Mr Mark Malcolm, said: "Students have achieved excellent GCSE results and have responded with great resolve to overcome the disrupted education of the past sixteen months. Never before has a cohort of KS4 students had so much of their learning time interrupted and this makes their achievements all the more impressive.

He added that exam results this year were based on rigorous internal examinations in November, March and May "with marking scrupulously moderated and externally verified to ensure accuracy, consistency and impartiality".

Clapton Girls' Academy celebrate another year of record breaking GCSE results

%image(15008997, type="article-full", alt="Marartu Buba at Clapton Girls' Academy.")

Clapton Girls' Academy has reported record breaking results this academic year despite disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Fifty-two per cent of pupils got grade 7 or higher and almost all students (94pc) got grades 4 or above. Sixty-nine per cent of students received a grade 5 or higher in English and maths while 87pc achieved at least a grade 4.

%image(15008998, type="article-full", alt="Clapton Girls' student Haylee West and Ms Whitley.")

Top performing GCSE students include Thea Bryant, Alba Gibbs-Joffe and Ruby Gomez, who all received ten grade 9s.

%image(15008991, type="article-full", alt="GCSE students celebrate at Clapton Girls' Academy.")

Thea said she was "extremely happy" to have done so well, adding: "I’m most proud of my English grade 9 as this doesn’t come naturally to me and I had to work hard for it."

Fellow student Alba Gibbs-Joffe added: ""I got all 9s and I’m really happy. The teachers at Clapton are so amazing as they keep pushing you to understand everything."

%image(15008999, type="article-full", alt="Top Clapton Girls' student Alba Gibbs-Joffe was awarded ten grade 9s.")

Frida Bradbrook, Amy Bryant, Mair Gibbons-Lewis, Louisa Shadlen, Zaynah Shah and Ruby Rose Thompson were awarded nine grade 9s each and one grade 8.

Meanwhile, Lila Beauchard, Lorna Dumbleton and Maira Siddiqui scored eight grade 9s and two grade 8s.

%image(15009000, type="article-full", alt="Amy Bryant from Clapton Girls' Academy said: ""We’re all so proud of ourselves. Clapton has a really nice supportive environment where we have all felt motivated together." She secured nine grade 9s and one grade 8.")

Ms Whitley, Year 11 form tutor, stated she was proud of all her students and was "so excited for their future, adding: "Their grades are just ‘rocket’.They’ve worked so hard, especially in the last tough year.”

%image(15009001, type="article-full", alt="Khadija Rahman and Fatiha Jalil at Clapton Girls' Academy.")

Headteacher Ms Feltham was also proud of the school's GCSE students and said: "The last two years have been really challenging for them and they have repeatedly impressed us with their commitment, resilience and support for each other. I look forward to seeing amazing things from them in Year 12. A massive thank you to all the teachers and parents who have gone above and beyond to support this cohort."

%image(15009002, type="article-full", alt="Clapton Girls' Academy students Thea Bryant, Ruby Gomez and Amy Bryant who achieved 29 grade 9s and 1 grade 8 between them.")

%image(15009004, type="article-full", alt="Moji Robson got seven grade 9s, two grade 8s and a 7. She said: "I’m very happy. I appreciate all my teachers’ support. After the lockdown they really helped me through. Thank you Clapton."")

%image(15009005, type="article-full", alt="Student Charlotte Eastwood-Gray received two grade 9s, six grade 8s, a 7 and a 6. She said: "“I’m so happy about my results. I secured the grades I wanted. Thank you to all my teachers for supporting me.”")

%image(15008991, type="article-full", alt="GCSE students celebrate at Clapton Girls' Academy.")

%image(15009006, type="article-full", alt="Clapton Girls' Academy students celebrate their excellent GCSE results.")

%image(15009007, type="article-full", alt="Helen Redhaee received two grade 9s, four grade 8s, one grade 7 and two grade 5s. She said: "“I’m really happy. I got lots of support from the school – all the teachers really helped me.”")

%image(15009008, type="article-full", alt="Lila Beauchard received eight grade 9s and two grade 8s. She said: "I’ve done so well! I have been so happy to be at Clapton, especially in this hard year, to have support from my teachers and friends."")

%image(15009009, type="article-full", alt="Luyanda Muraya achieved one grade 9, four grade 8s, three grade 7s and two grade 6s. She said: “I’m pretty happy with all my results. I think I did really well. All the grades are looking good for everyone."")

%image(15009010, type="article-full", alt="Lisa Khelfoune Ferreras was awarded five grade 9s, three grade 8s and a 5. She said: "I'm really happy I got the results I did. I think I deserve them as I worked very hard."")

%image(15009012, type="article-full", alt="Clapton Girls' Academy student Zaynah Shah.")

%image(15009013, type="article-full", alt="Clapton Girls' Academy student Maira Siddiqui on GCSE results day.")

Haggerston School students praised for "resilience" during the pandemic

%image(15009014, type="article-full", alt="Star student Mihaela Straton said she really struggled with learning from home during the pandemic, and was over the moon as she achieved five Grade 9s, and five Grade 8s.")

More than 70 per cent of GCSE students at Haggerston School achieved high pass levels in English and maths, as their head-teacher praised their “resilience” throughout the pandemic.

For the second year in-a-row many students have attained top grades, and 72 percent of youngsters have achieved high passes in key subjects.

Year 11 students at the Hackney school were jumping for joy after achieving top grades, with many of them due to continue their studies at Haggerston next year.

One exceptional student was Aaliyah Seedat, 16, who achieved eight grade 9s and two grade 8s.

Aaliyah's dream is to study medicine and become a doctor, something her grandmother and mum were never able to do when her family lived in Burma.

She said: “It was worth all the sleepless nights, I want to be able to help as many as possible, I have seen how important nurses and doctors have been in the last year, and I want to be able to be just like them.”

Ayo Ojo, 16, scored a 9 in PE and will now go on to a football scholarship with League Two club, Leyton Orient.

%image(15009015, type="article-full", alt="Teenage midfielder Ayo Ojo, 16, scored a 9 in PE and will now go on to a football scholarship with League Two club, Leyton Orient.")

The teenage midfielder has signed a two-year-contract with the club, nicknamed The O’s. He said he can’t wait to "get going", adding: “I’m really proud of all my results, but most of all my PE. I’ve worked so hard, and it is 100 per cent worth it.”

Ayo also got top grades in drama, mathematics and combined sciences, scoring 7s in all three subjects.

He said: “I’ve loved my time at Haggerston, it’s a great school and all the teachers have been great.

“I’m excited for everything that comes next. It’s been so hard over the last year, and now it is finally all worth it.”

Another top grade student was Jada Dawkins, 16, who achieved one grade 9, one grade 8, three grade 7s and four grade 6s. She has dreams of becoming an actress, and hopes to one day be like her idol, American actress Elizabeth Gillies, who made her Broadway debut at 15.

%image(15009016, type="article-full", alt="Top grade Haggerston student Jada Dawkins has dreams of becoming an actress, and hopes to one day be like her idol, American actress Elizabeth Gillies.")

Jada from Islington, is hoping to go to drama school, and said: “It’s always been something I wanted to do, and Haggerston has been amazing in supporting me in what I’ve done.

“The last year has been so hard, but now it is all worth it.

“Opening my results today and seeing my grades was the best feeling in the world.

“We’ve all had a rough year, and now it has paid off.”

Star student, Mihaela Straton, 16, said she had really struggled with learning from home during the pandemic, and was over the moon as she achieved five Grade 9s, and five Grade 8s. She is now hoping to study psychology, philosophy, Spanish and biology at Haggerston.

Mihaela said: “I can’t believe it, I really really can’t, I never expected to get these grades, it’s a miracle.

“It’s been one of the hardest years for all of us, we’ve all known people that have had Covid, and have struggled this year.

She continued: “Learning from home was really hard, not seeing my friends, and not seeing my teachers, it’s really hard to concentrate, I’ve just missed being in a classroom.

“But we’ve had a lot of support, and I can’t wait to come back here for my A-Levels.”

Across the country schools recorded record pass levels, with a huge surge in GCSE grades.

Top grades (7/As and above) rose to 28.9pc from 26.2pc last year, while grades 4/Cs and above - seen as passes - rose to 77.1pc up from 76.3pc.

Headteacher Ciara Emerson said: “We are particularly proud of our 2021 Year 11 cohort this year. Students worked incredibly hard and have shown remarkable resilience in the face of a very challenging few years. We are pleased that so many have been awarded the results they deserve.”

Ms Emerson added: “We are delighted with another set of fantastic results which really reflect the hard work and commitment of students to their studies.

“Seventy-two per cent of students achieved a good pass in English and Maths and there are excellent outcomes across the board. We congratulate all our students and wish them every success in the next stage of their education.”

Our Lady's Catholic School students show "tenacity and determination"

%image(15009017, type="article-full", alt="Our Lady's Catholic School headteacher Ms Justine McDonald (left) with Hackney's director of education Annie Gammon and students Mildred Tawowo, Jasmeet Kaur, Doris Mbakwe.")

Our Lady’s Catholic High School was proud to report the outstanding achievements of its students in their GCSEs and BTEC qualifications this summer.

This year, following the cancellation of exams, grades were awarded through a process of teacher assessed grades, against a national standard and approved and awarded by the exam boards. The government is not publishing performance data for any schools or colleges this year due to the varying impact of the pandemic.

%image(15009018, type="article-full", alt="Our Lady's Catholic School student Grace Bongotio.")

Justine McDonald, the school’s headteacher said: “We are immensely proud and impressed by the work and achievements of our students. Not only have they found the resilience to focus on their studies in the face of 16 months of disruption, but they have done so with tenacity and determination.

"We are proud of each and every one of these amazing young women. Our teachers have worked tirelessly to ensure students are all able to progress onto further education and study, and we look forward to seeing the fantastic things they will achieve in the future.”

%image(15009019, type="article-full", alt="Our Lady's school student Martina Korang celebrating with her French teacher Ms Hayat Deghmous.")

Many students received top grades including Charlotte Rowley and Doris Mbakwe who got 8 and 9 grades in almost every subject.

Mildred Tawowo was awarded a 9 in history and 8s in maths and in sociology while Rhiana Ntongo got an 8 in history. Eva Goncalves received 8s in Portugese and Spanish and Natalia Figueroa-Vallejo got 9s in French and geography.

%image(15009020, type="article-full", alt="Our Lady's students Natalia Figueroa-Vallejo and Aitana Carreno.")

%image(15009021, type="article-full", alt="Our Lady's Catholic students Doris Mbakwe, Mildred Tawawo and Rhianna Ntongo with French teacher Mrs Sandrine Robinson.")

%image(15009022, type="article-full", alt="Our Lady's student Eva Goncalves Silva with her GCSE results.")

%image(15009023, type="article-full", alt="French teacher Mrs Sandrine Robinson with Our Lady's Catholic School student Charlotte Rowley.")

Skinners' Academy students work "incredibly hard" for stellar results

%image(15009024, type="article-full", alt="Skinners’ Academy pupils with Shereka James, Principal (far Left) and Annie Gammon, Director of Education in Hackney (far Right).")

Skinners' Academy's year 11 pupils achieved quality GCSE results despite their learning being disrupted by "one of the most challenging school years".

Seventy per cent of students achieved grade 4 or higher in both English and maths and, over 60pc got five or more 4 plus grades.

Furthermore, one in five pupils achieved a strong pass in English Baccalaureate (EBacc). The baccalaureate is a performance indicator implemented by the UK government in 2010 which measures the percentage of students who achieve 5-9 (formerly, A*-C) grades in five subjects; English, maths, science, history or geography and an ancient or modern foreign language.

Top results were achieved by many pupils including Rudi D and Nathaniel D, who both achieved ten 9 and 8 grades.

%image(15009025, type="article-full", alt="Skinners' Academy student Nathaniel D achieved ten 9 and 8 grades.")

Nathaniel said: “I am so happy and amazed by my results. The pandemic has meant that I had to complete a lot of my classwork and assessment preparation independently, I’m glad my hard work has paid off.

"I am undecided on exactly what my career path will be just yet, but I will be going to college and I am excited for what the future will bring.”

%image(15009026, type="article-full", alt="Skinners' Academy students Fernanda O, Laura M and Emily D show off their year books and GCSE results.")

Rimshah A, Zakariya R, Rodja T, Haaruun M and Eren A made incredible progress gaining three grades higher than their targets on average.

Shereka James, Principal of Skinners’ Academy, added: “In the midst of one of the most challenging school years, I am extremely proud of our students and their achievements. They and their teachers have worked incredibly hard this year and I am delighted to be able to witness the fruits of this work. I look forward, with excitement, to seeing what they will achieve in the future”

%image(15009027, type="article-full", alt="Students at Skinners' Academy on GCSE results day after a rollercoaster year.")

Urswick School celebrates after turbulent pandemic year

%image(15009029, type="article-full", alt="Urswick students receive their GCSE grades.")

Students and staff at The Urswick School in Paragon Road, Hackney, were celebrating this morning after a turbulent year as GCSE results were released.

Students like Orobosa Okundia-Best, head boy at Urswick, said: "“It has been a tough journey but I’m grateful for everything the teachers have done for us to get us to this point.”

Orobosa achieved eight GCSEs at grade 6 and above.

%image(15009030, type="article-full", alt="Head boy Orobosa Okundia-Best at Urswick School.")

Fellow student Liliana Mendes added that the past year had been a struggle. She achieved eight GCSEs at grade 7 and above.

Liliana added: “The past year has really been struggle but I am very thankful for all the help the teachers gave us and I am so happy with my results.”

%image(15009031, type="article-full", alt="Students at Urswick celebrated excellent results after a turbulent year.")

Lily Little who achieved eight GCSEs at grade 4 and above said: “I am really happy with my results after the past year and I am looking forward to continuing my journey at The Urswick School by joining the TUS Sixth Form Academy.”

Ciara Robinson achieved nine GCSEs at grades 7 to 9 including grade 9s in religious studies and history. She also was also awarded 8s in English and English Literature.

%image(15009032, type="article-full", alt="A student receives her GCSE grades at Urswick School.")

Stevie Herbert, whose parents and brothers also attended Urswick school, achieved nine GCSEs at grade 5 and above, including grade 8 in GCSE Mandarin.

Osamagbe Eruoogun was celebrating grade 9s in GCSE maths and combined sciences and seven GCSEs at grade 8 or above.

%image(15009033, type="article-full", alt="An Urswick student smiles upon seeing her GCSE grades.")

Richard Brown, Executive Headteacher said: "These young people all had to switch to remote learning in January often with limited ICT access and working in overcrowded homes with other siblings who were also not at school.

"This is a remarkable generation of young people who, when they returned to school in March, were determined to live up to the school’s mission statement to Believe and Achieve. They were taught by an equally remarkable group of teachers. I would like to thank other school staff who fed us and kept the school clean and safe. We all need to celebrate today and pray for these young people."

%image(15009034, type="article-full", alt="An Urswick student looks at his GCSE results.")

%image(15009035, type="article-full", alt="An Urswick School student reads her GCSE results.")

%image(15009036, type="article-full", alt="Uswick's headteacher said students were determined to live up to the school’s mission statement to Believe and Achieve.")