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Students at BDA Sixth Form received their AS Level results today, the first results received by the Sixth Form since it opened last September.

Ryan Walters achieved the best grades in the year group, gaining an A in each of his subjects (Maths, Business Studies, Religious Studies, and Politics). Ryan describes his reaction: “I can’t believe I’ve got 4 A grades, it’s beyond my wildest expectations!”

Several other students surpassed their target grades, with notable performances from Fatima Huqoqi (AABA in Maths, Business Studies, English and Sociology); Shamsa Ali (CAAAC in Maths, Religious Studies, Politics, English, History) and Mohamed Abubaker (ABAB in Religious Studies, English, Politics and History).
Meanwhile Yr10 student Bahga Katamesh gained A grades in 2 AS Levels (Maths and Arabic) two years ahead of schedule. She said: "I really wanted to do my AS-Levels early because I felt I was ready and the school were great in allowing me to do them this year. I felt pretty nervous picking them up but this is just brilliant. I am hoping to go on and do a PHD and get into medicine."

Principal Sally Coates commented: “I’m delighted to receive these results in the first year of BDA Sixth Form. I’m optimistic that students can build on these results in Year 13 and gain places at top universities.”

It was a nervous day for hundreds of students in Hammersmith & Fulham last Thursday (August 19) as they collected their A Level and AS Level results, but the borough’s brightest didn’t disappoint with pass rates flying high above the national average.

Provisional results show that 99 per cent of students in H&F passed with A*-E grades, compared to the national average of 97.6%, while at 78.3% the percentage of students gaining A*-C was 2.9 points above the national average of 75.4%.

Students hitting the heights with the Bs, As and the new A* grade, introduced for the first time this year, were also better than average with 54.8% getting the top grades – 2.6% above the figure nationally.

This year’s results were however slightly down on 2009’s figures, which stood at 99.8 per cent – an all-time high in what proved to be an exceptional year for A Levels in the borough.

Cllr Helen Binmore, cabinet member for children’s services, visited William Morris Sixth Form in Dunstans Road, Hammersmith, and London Oratory in Seagrave Road, Fulham, on results day, while officers visited Lady Margaret.

She said: “This year’s results are excellent and all students, staff at our sixth forms and parents should be very proud of their achievements. I met so many intelligent and well-rounded students on the day, who will no doubt go on to do great things with their lives. I wish them all the best for whatever they decide to do next.”

The best performing school was Lady Margaret, in Parsons Green, Fulham, with a 99.2% pass rate, closely followed by London Oratory at 99% and William Morris at 98.9%. Lady Margaret was also top of the class for A*-C grades with 86.6% and A*-B at 71.1% - both well above the national figures of 78.3% and 54.8% respectively.

There were a huge number of A* and A grades too with Lady Margaret pupils sharing 44 A*s (17%) and 74 As (30%). This again bucked the national trend of 8.1% for A*s and 18.9% for As along with the borough overall, which boasted 9.6% for A*s and 19.6% for As, with 119 A* and 243 A grades all together.

Figures for AS Levels were also better than the national picture of 88.2% with H&F students achieving a 91.5% pass rate at A-E. These figures do not include Burlington Danes Academy, whose new sixth form students were the first to receive any exam results. Star pupil Ryan Walters got the school’s top results with four As in maths, business studies, religious studies, and politics. He said: “I can’t believe I’ve got 4 A grades, it’s beyond my wildest expectations!”