Brent and Kilburn students found out their A Level results on Thursday (August 18), with lower grades given over all as Covid-induced grade inflation was reined in.
Exams were held for the first time in two years with a number of adaptations, including advance notice of some topics, to mitigate lost learning during the pandemic.
BTEC results were also announced.
Alperton Community School
Alperton Community School’s star performers included Alfie, who got A*A*A*, Corey (AAB) and Mayun (BBB)
Headteacher Gerard McKenna said: “Congratulations to the class of 2022 at Alperton Community School who have bucked the national and local trends by increasing the number of A* and A grades at A Level.
“Our amazing Year 13 students also achieved well in excess of national averages in their Level 3 Vocational Qualifications.
“We are very proud of your achievements."
Ark Academy
Head boy Ismail Abbas achieved A*A*A* and an AS grade A in further maths, will study politics, philosophy and economics at UCL.
Ismail’s twin sister, Salma, will study linguistics with Japanese at Warwick University.
Deputy head boy Hamza Arybou, also with A*A*A* will study medicine at Imperial College.
Head girl Hadeal Abdelatti will study law at Girton College, Cambridge.
Yusuf Mirza and Ilyas Mohamoud both achieved A*A*A*A* in maths, further maths, physics and economics. Both will attend Imperial, Ilyas to study Maths and Yusuf, civil engineering.
Mustafa Ali with will study neuroscience at the University of San Diego after achieving A*A*A*
Monera Kifai got A*A*A and will study law, while Zohra Khorami and Darshini Bhudia both got A*AA. Zohra will study Law and Darshini will study Geography.
Khadijah Akbar, who got A*AA, will take a degree apprenticeship Accenture.
Iman Mohamed, with three BTEC distinctions, will study midwifery at City University.
Sanika Khadpe, also with three distinctions, will attend University of West London to specialise in operating department practice.
Samia Aweye has a place at UCL to study medical science; and Maria Rosa will study business at Royal Holloway.
Principal Delia Smith said “We are delighted with many top grades and excellent placements at both university and apprenticeships for our students. It has been a tough two years. However, our overall outcomes have improved from last year with 44% of A Level grades A to A* and 70% grades B to A*. These results open so many doors for our students.”
Ark Elvin Academy
Every student in the first year group of Ark Elvin Academy’s new sixth form who applied will take up a place at university after achieving fantastic results.
The new sixth form at Ark Elvin opened two years ago and was designed to keep the doors to top universities and apprenticeships open to students who may not have secured places in traditional sixth forms or who felt that A Levels were not right for them.
Molly Goddard (applied science D*D*D*) will be studying biomedical science at Sheffield University.
She said: “My journey was not easy, but I made it in the end – triple distinction star – I think I did a pretty good job – my advice to other students would be remember you are never alone at Elvin, you can do it, put in the hard work but also remember to look after yourself.”
Mya Ashbourne (applied sport and exercise science, D*D*D*) will be studying physiotherapy at the University of East Anglia.
Mya said: “To be honest I never thought I had the potential that I have had. I joined Elvin just for the sixth form and the support I had from the teachers and my peers really helped me. I have not always been the most confident person, I doubted myself but the help I have received has supported me to get the best grades.”
Riddhi Dharmendrakumar (applied science, D*D*D*) has secured a degree apprenticeship in biomedical science.
“I am so excited to be learning new things – and this course really could help make the world a better place by identifying new diseases. I have experienced real ups and downs – English was not my first language and I struggled with science but with the support of the teachers and my peers I have secured great results.”
(applied science D*D*D*) will be studying chemistry at Durham University.
Josh said: “I feel proud and happy to have achieved this result. When I first joined the school, my grades were not good, and I really struggled but then throughout my time at Elvin as the school has improved so have my grades!”
Ark Elvin Academy principal Rebecca Curtis said: "We are so proud of what this first-year group of our new sixth form have achieved and the university places they have secured. All our sixth formers chose our sixth form because they were highly ambitious and hard-working but knew that A Levels were not the right option for them, and they have shown that hard work pays off.
“They have made extraordinary progress overcoming a range of challenges before the onset of the pandemic. But even a global pandemic did not stop our sixth formers daring for greatness. Now, they are off to top universities to study a range of highly competitive degrees, including physiotherapy, sports and exercise, medical science, chemistry, engineering, biomedical science and nursing.”
Capital City Academy
Principal Marianne Jeanes said: “Capital City Academy is once again very proud to be celebrating excellent results with our wonderful Year 13 students. Throughout their time at Capital, this year group have shown that they are committed to their studies, keen to volunteer to support the school and local community and are able to push the boundaries of artistic thinking, sporting excellence and academic study. They have shown the determination, hard work and resilience required to sit external exams for the first time and with over 71% A*-C we are proud of all of their success leading to universities, apprenticeships and art colleges including Imperial, Lancaster, Brunel, SOAS and QMUL (a very popular choice with our students), Central St Martin’s, London College of Fashion and UAL.
She thanks parents and staff for their support.
“Some outstanding individual performances include: Graziele who will study medicine at Imperial (A*AA) after moving to the UK in Year 8; Tiana who will study at the London College of Fashion (UAL Distinction) leaving us her wonderful, supersized identity art installation; Ahmed (A*AB) who will excel at English with creative writing at Queen Mary’s; and Mohammed, a new entrant to the UK at the end of Year 7, (Dist*Dist*Dist and B) in applied science and Arabic, who will make a fantastic Engineer also studying at Queen Mary’s.”
Claremont High School
Headteacher Nicola Hyde-Boughey said: "Our students are amazing. They took their very first set of public exams in their stride, and we are proud of both their resilience and achievements, and I have every confidence that they will go on to achieve great things in the future."
Pari Parekh, who got AAA* in biology, chemistry, maths is interested in a career in finance and said: "I’m very happy it’s over. It’s harder than you might expect, so if you tried your best, then you should be happy with what you’ve got."
Preston Manor
Head of school Stuart Taylor congratulated students on their “resilience and hard work”.
“We are immensely proud of all of our students’ achievements, some of whom have experienced challenges, which with support, they have been able to overcome and move closer to fulfilling their ambitions,” he said.
Russell Denial, executive headteacher, said: “The fantastic teaching and learning at the school coupled with the support of our parents and the commitment of our students, is really the recipe for our success.”
Suleka Warsame secured a full scholarship to study law at Oxford and put some of her success down to the mentoring she received from staff and alumni students who attended the university.
Niamh Grant secured A*AA and will attend go to King's College London to study social science.
She said: “The best part of today is the sense of pride I feel. We all worked hard and will now celebrate what we have achieved.”
Kushi Parekh, who achieved A*AA, said: “I’ve had such amazing support and could not have done so well without the help and support of my teachers. I am so excited to now go on to study social anthropology and ethics at King's College London.”
Jonathan Silviera gained A*A*A*A* in further maths, maths, chemistry and physics, and will study aerospace engineering in Bath.
Ms Wilding, Sixth Form lead for progression and enrichment, said: “‘Our students worked incredibly hard to secure these results and deserve their success.”
Head of Sixth Form Jigna Surani said: “The excellent results many of our students have achieved allows them to make the best choices for their next steps. Many of our students have secured places at their first choice universities, including very competitive universities such as Bath, Edinburgh and Exeter Medical school. We are so thrilled for them and wish them every success in the future.”
Queen’s Park Community School
QPCS achieved 38% A and A* grades, as well as 98% A* to E and BTECs 61% D and D*
Star performers at Queen’s Park Community School included Lewis Brennan who starred as Jean Valjean in the school production of Les Miserables, managed his health through a serious illness and achieved A*,A,A. He is going to Glasgow to read computer science.
Other high grades are being celebrated by Orli Wilkins (A*A*A*); Matthew Wright (A*A*A*A); Roberth Monteiro (A*A*A*A); Mila Kunze-Persson (A*A*A); and Orla Latham (A*A*A).
Mustafa Hussain and Elton Cama both achieved D*D*D* in BTEC business and finance. Mustafa is going to City University to read economics and Elton Cama is going to read accounting and management at Queen Mary University London.
Headteacher Judith Enright said: “I am thrilled that we are celebrating the best ever exam results at QPCS, with 38pc of A Levels graded A*/A and 61% of BTECs graded D*/D.
“Four of our students going to Oxford and Cambridge universities, including Sahara who is an inspirational role model for all our younger students, as one of the first to join our Aiming High programme in 2016 to improve outcomes for Black Caribbean heritage students."
St Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls
Students at St Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls celebrated another year of exceptional A Level results. The pass rate was 99pc with 53pc of all grades at A*-B.
Kirsten Matriano achieved A*A*A* in biology, chemistry and English literature and will be taking a gap year before starting a degree in medicine.
She said: "I wouldn’t have been able to get these grades if it weren’t for the support, encouragement and love this school has given me. It has been tough, but I realise now that I’m tougher.”
Nicola Mabag and Diora Fernandes achieved AAA and Neneh Akwukuma achieved A*AA in biology, chemistry and maths.
Neneh “I’m so thankful my teachers pushed me in order to achieve the grades I needed for medical school”
Diora: “I’m really happy about completing this journey with such great grades.”
Laura Godinho achieved A*A*A in business studies, sociology and Spanish, whilst Arafat Jempeji achieved A*AA in history, health and social care and politics.
Aimee Murphy, who achieved A*AA in sociology, psychology and history, said: “Through the past seven years I have been kindly guided by my teachers and support staff and this has enabled me to consistently work towards my goal of achieving high grades. I am beyond grateful for all the help I have been given.”
Headmistress Dr McGowan said: “After two years of disrupted education due to the pandemic, the results this year are testament to the hard work and strong and capable spirits of our young people. They have shown that, despite facing adversity, nothing will prevent them from giving their best, from reaching their goals and achieving the highest possible grades. I am so proud of them all.”
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