A Level results day 2017 at Hammersmith Academy. From left to right, Umut Halil, 17, Nasir Uddin, 17, Amari Drysdale, 17 and Walid Hassan, 17
A school in Shepherd’s Bush has enjoyed its best ever A-level results.
Staff and students at Hammersmith Academy celebrated a record 79% of those taking A2 exams achieving A* to B in one or more subjects.
Dozens secured the university places they wanted, with results particularly impressive in economics, geography, biology, English and psychology.
Nader Eltaher achieved one A* and two A grades, and is off to Southampton University to study aeronautics and astronautics.
“I believe hard work can get you what you want, and I have proved that”, he said, thanking his teachers.
While Amatullah Forbes discovered the grades A* and two Bs, securing a place at Goldsmiths, University of London to do psychosocial studies.
“My experience at Hammersmith Academy has been great! The teachers will always help you and give you what you need,” she said.
Mahdina Ahmed, 18, got As in geography and sociology, plus a C in government and politics, and is going to study law this autumn. She expressed relief at passing her exams, saying she was “happy it’s over now and ready to move on to the next chapter of my life.”
Overcoming hurdles
Sabrin Adel Daoud, who got an A*, a C, and a BTEC distinction is going to read comparative literature and film studies at Queen Mary, University of London.
Salma Gadouchi overcame significant hurdles to get the results she wanted.
“I feel good. I have achieved a lot both academically and personally,” she said. “As a person with visual impairment, I have had to overcome a lot of challenges.
“I have overcome them one by one with the support of staff and my peers, which is reflected in my grades”.
The 18-year-old achieved a B in sociology, a C in psychology and a BTEC distinction in business studies. She is going on to do an apprenticeship in business, marketing and HR.
Headteacher Gary Kynaston said every single one of the school’s outgoing Year 13s are going on to university or high-level apprenticeships.
“We’re really proud of our students’ achievements and to see their hard work and effort rewarded,” he said.
“These are the best results achieved in the six years since we opened. What also makes me proud is seeing them grow as individuals, and they have developed the self-confidence to take to university and beyond.”
As well as the students, he thanked the school’s teachers for their “tremendous hard work”.
“I’m also really excited by the achievements of our Year 12 students, who are the original founding students of 2011”, Mr Kynaston added, explaining that those in their first year of sixth form there take AS exams “as a way of giving real clarity about a student’s progress and developing their self-confidence.”
Sticking to the modular format appeared popular with those picking up their results.
Nasir Uddin, 17, said he was pleased to have already taken some of his exams at AS: “I have an idea of how well I’m doing rather than going into next year not knowing what I’ll get.”
He scored As in sociology and geography, and a B in design and technology, and said he was relieved the effort paid off.
Amari Drysdale, also 17, agreed, saying: “It helps envision what you’re going to get in future and gives you something to work with.”
He got three As and a B at AS; as did fellow 17-year-old Umut Halil, who is hoping to study maths at university next year after achieving As in maths and further maths.
Walid Hassan, 17, achieved two As and a B and wants to study geography with economics at university in 2018.
Incredible journey
Mr Kynaston, who opened the school in 2011, said it has been 'an incredible journey'.
“It’s an elixir for seeing our youth succeeding and achieving their ambitions. It’s great to see the school continuing to go from strength to strength”, he added.
The school has 175 sixth form students in total. Those who completed AS exams this year were the first cohort of students that started there in Year 7 to do so.
