“I did my best, and that’s all that matters”: Hackney students celebrate A-Level and BTec successes
A-Level and BTec students across Hackney have been celebrating as they reunited with friends and teachers to collect their results, as Hackney schools continue to outperform the national average in the post-16 exams.
Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley, Deputy Mayor Cllr Anntoinette Bramble and Director of Education and Inclusion Jason Marantz visited schools yesterday morning to congratulate students on their results.
Solomon Akhahon, from Our Lady’s Catholic High School, said, “I’m very thankful to my teachers who pushed me to where I am today. I am very happy with my grades, and I’m hoping to go to university in Northampton to study Business Computing and improve my skills in computing and IT.”
Prue Gilder, from Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form, is planning to go travelling before taking up her place at university. She said: “I did my best, and that’s all that matters.”
Provisional figures for A-Levels exceed those from last year and are above those achieved across the country. These results are above those achieved, pre-pandemic, in 2019. Many schools have reported 100% success rates with students achieving Merits or above, particularly in BTecs.
Zehra Jaffer, Headteacher at Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form, said of her students: “I’m tremendously proud of our young people - they have been phenomenal and worked really hard and deserve the fantastic results that they have achieved. Congratulations too to our parents and our hardworking staff who have built those relationships to get the best from our young people.”
Hackney’s students with additional special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have also achieved outstanding results, after overcoming additional challenges. One school has had a 100% success rate in securing university places, with another reporting that one student with an education, health and care (EHC) plan has gained entrance to Oxbridge.
Mia Arthur, who is autistic and will be studying History and Politics at Murray Edwards College of the University of Cambridge, said: “Sixth Form was the most challenging thing I have experienced, but Mossbourne Community Academy motivated and pushed me the entire way - I'm so grateful.”
Other notable successes include a sixth former with an EHC plan who is now pursuing Medicine at a Russell Group University, and an autistic pupil beginning a degree apprenticeship.
Looking for further support? Get in touch with Hackney Works, which can help find you a further education course, explore employment opportunities or link you to a job, work placement, or apprenticeship with a local business: https://opportunities.hackney.gov.uk/support-2/
I’ve really enjoyed visiting schools in our borough to find out how our young people have got on and their plans for the future. I can still remember how nerve-racking results day was for me, and for my son. We’ve been through a period of huge challenges and no matter what, I’m so proud of you all.
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney
Congratulations to everybody who picked up their results. Feel really proud of all your hard work and regardless of the results, celebrate yourself and acknowledge all of your hard work.
For those of you who didn't get the results you want, look on the Young Hackney website. We've got the Summer Careers Festival coming up, where there'll be lots of guidance to support you if you're unsure about anything.
Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Deputy Mayor of Hackney and Cabinet Member for Education, Young People and Children’s Social Care