Students celebrate with principal Paul Smith
Science and humanities stood out for William Morris Sixth Form this year, as the college celebrated impressive A level results across a broad range of subjects.
With a pass rate of around 98 per cent, the sixth form has kept up with the national rate – which this year is 98.1 per cent – and principal Paul Smith said the overall results were 'really pleasing'.
“We are really happy with the results,” said Mr Smith, who joined the 900-strong sixth form in St Dunstan’s Road, Hammersmith, last year.
“Science subjects have been really impressive for us this year and we have also had some real successes in the humanities, such as sociology, philosophy and politics.
“We offer more than 30 different A level subjects, which is important for our students.”
A total of 32 per cent of William Morris Sixth Form students achieved A and B grades in their final results, while 62 per cent were awarded grades at A-C.
One of the top achievers was 18-year-old Istakur Rahman, of Fulham, who picked up an A* in sociology, A* in world development and an A in history.
Although he says he 'never believed he could get those grades', Istakur’s hat trick is taking him to study Law at LSE.
Classmate Yousif Albazy, 18, from Chiswick, is hoping his success will lead him to study politics and international relations, after he was awarded an A in sociology, A in Arabic, A in government and politics and a B in history.
Another student delighted with his results on 18 August was Saif Eshaq, who came to the UK from Iraq five years ago.
Although he didn’t speak English when he arrived, the 19-year-old from White City is now set to head to the University of Portsmouth to study civil engineering.
Saif achieved an A in Arabic, B in physics, C in maths and B in the Extended Project Qualification – a dissertation of his choice, in which he examined the question 'Is there a future for minorities in Iraq and Syria under stable government?'
“I was so stressed last night,” Saif revealed. “But I’ve always wanted to do engineering and hopefully I can use my university course to help in Iraq.”
The agonising wait for results was finally over for Alex England, 18, who lives in Chelsea and says his teachers were really helpful during his two years at William Morris.
“I’ve really improved since I’ve been here,” said Alex, who will now study geography and management at Loughborough University after achieving an A in business studies, A in French and B in geography.
19-year-old Omar Osman, who lives in Acton, also had praise for his teachers, who he says 'believed in building on my potential'.
Of his three Bs in psychology, history and economics – which are taking him to the University of Surrey to study economics – Omar said it was a relief to achieve the results he needed.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Gelila Negussie, from Paddington, was elated after her hard work paid off in her AS levels in psychology, sociology and history.
After failing two subjects last year, the determined teen put in the hours to achieve two A grades and a C grade in this year’s exams.
“I tried so hard so my mum and dad will be happy,” she said. “This has been such a good summer.”
Friend Mary Kemmer, 18, of Brent, added she was delighted to have got into her first choice university, Goldsmiths, where she will study sociology and anthropology.
Principal Mr Smith pointed out that last year 86 per cent of William Morris students went on to university, and the strong 2016 results gave opportunities to many of its young people.
“For us, the key thing is that it has been a difficult year for A levels nationally so to deliver some of our best results ever has been really pleasing,” added Mr Smith.
