Hammersmith Students Deliver Outstanding GCSE Results
Local schools see improved grades despite tougher marking standards
A montage of Sacred Heart students receiving their GCSEs
August 26, 2024
With marking standards being brought back up to pre-pandemic levels and average grades across the country at their lowest level since 2019, pupils in schools across the Hammersmith area have delivered some exceptional results.
This GCSE cohort faced unprecedented challenges with their courses interrupted by lockdown with many having to deal with the challenges of remote learning.
Despite this Sacred Heart High School’s students saw grades up 12 per cent from last year. Almost 50 per cent of all grades achieved were 7, 8 or 9s and 81 per cent were a 5 or above. Nearly two thirds of students achieved a Grade 6 or above in both English and Maths, and 77 per cent achieved a Grade 5 or above in both subjects – an increase of 10 per cent since last year.
A representative from the school added, “These results are a testament to the hard work of our students. We thank our staff for their commitment and dedication – congratulations to all!”
More than half of all grades at West London Free School were in the top 7 to 9 bracket, the school’s best ever performance .
Out of the exams taken by the school’s 130 Year 11 group, 50.4 per cent attained grades 7 to 9, up from 48.4 per cent last year. And 89.5 per cent of all grades achieved were in the 4 to 9 pass range, up from 85.6 per cent in 2023.
Joint headteacher Robert Peal described himself as “overjoyed”, adding, “This cohort of Year 11s has been a wonderful year group, with incredibly hard-working students, and it has been a pleasure to see how happy they are on results day.”
“Seven pupils gained straight 8s and 9s across the board, with 85 per cent of all students passing both English and Maths, up from 83 per cent last year. “
Joint head Ben McLaughlin was also delighted that 63 per cent of students had achieved the EBacc qualification, requiring GCSE passes in English, Maths, Sciences, a humanity subject (history or geography) and a foreign language.
With a record number of students achieving the required grades to move into the sixth form in September, the school hopes most will opt to stay.
West London Free School students show off their grades
“We are looking forward to welcoming many to the sixth form, and will be sending the very best of luck to those who are starting somewhere new. Well done to all the hard-working students, their families who supported them, and the WLFS staff who are such brilliant role models,” said Mr McLaughlin.
Ian Hunter, chief executive of the Knowledge Schools Trust, added, “The pupils and staff at West London Free School have knocked it out of the park with a stellar set of GCSE results. These are likely to see the school ranked as one of the top non-selective secondary schools in England and Wales.”
At Westside School, an alternative provision school on Galena Road, every student received grades 1 to 9 with 50 per cent earning grades 4 or higher.
The students face significant challenges so this outcome represents a host of personal pupil success stories.
The school said, “We are immensely proud of this summer’s GCSE results, which are a powerful testament to the dedication, resilience, and hard work of our students.
“Amid growing concerns over record exclusions, Westside School is proving that positive outcomes are achievable through a commitment to the highest standards, innovative and holistic curriculum adaptations, and a proven system of personalised care.”
Westside students celebrate their achievements
Hammersmith Academy managed to match last year’s strong performance with 77 per cent of all grades achieved by the ‘fair-banded’ cohort graded 4 to 9.
A quarter of all grades awarded were between levels 7 to 9. In English, 75 per cent of students achieved a strong pass, grading 5 to 9, and 60 per cent scoring a strong pass in Mathematics.
Top performing subjects include History, Art and Drama with 40 per cent of all students securing grades 7 to 9.
Standout successes include the Academy’s top performer, Roweena Coyle scoring an outstanding eight grade 9s and a grade 8.
Hannah Sapsford attained five grade 9s, four grade 8s and a grade 7, adding, “I am so pleased with my results because I worked really hard for them and my family are all extremely happy and proud of me.”
Tegan Aumayer achieved two grade 9s and seven grade 8s. Asya Al Wafai scored a grade 9, six grade 8s and two grade 7s and classmate Yusra Nur received two grade 9s, seven grade 8s and a grade 7.
Sara Ali achieved five grade 9s, three grade 8s, a grade 6 and a grade 7. Lynna Yahiaoui recieved two grade 9s, six grade 8s and two grade 7s.
Marcus Harii earned three grade 9s, three grade 8s and three grade 7s. Ayman Ali achieved four grade 9s, four grade 8s, and a grade 7. And Anas Fudle was awarded three grade 9s, three grade 8s and two grade 7s.
The Academy maintains a high number of students being entered for the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) with over 70 per cent studying the subjects considered essential for degrees and careers. These include English Language, English Literature, the Sciences, Geography or History and a Language as a minimum.
Additionally, there is a continued reduction of the attainment gap between girls and boys and a very notable above national level performance from the SEND student cohort with students on average achieving a minimum of half a grade higher than their national counterparts.
Left to right: Hammersmith Academy students Sara Ali, Roweena Coyle, Hannah Sapsford, Skipper Yi, Asya Al Wafai
Headteacher, Gary Kynaston, said, “I want to congratulate our Year 11 students on a very impressive set of GCSE results. The Academy bucked the national downward trend in results last year and for this ‘fair-banded’ cohort to maintain the same high level of academic achievement is fantastic. It shows they are committed to their studies and are hungry to succeed. They should be very proud of their individual achievements and their ability to leave the impact of the Covid restrictions firmly in the past.
"It has been pleasing to see our long-term plan to reduce the attainment gap between girls and boys continue to bear fruit, and our SEND students surpassing expectation.
“Thank you to all the staff who continually go above and beyond to ensure students have all the resources and support they need to excel.”
“I look forward to welcoming the Year 11 into our Sixth Form in September as they begin the next part of their academic journey.”
92% of the grades awarded to Year 11 students at Godolphin & Latymer were 9 or 8. The school said, “This is a testament to the students’ tremendous hard work and the dedication and expertise of those teaching and supporting them. We look forward to welcoming the cohort into our Sixth Form and are excited to work with them as they continue to develop into happy and successful young women.”
At Lady Margaret School 96 per cent of girls gained Grade 4 or over in English Lit, 97 per cent in English Language, 95 per cent in Maths and 93 per cent in both English and Maths.
In the English Baccalaureate there was a 68 per cent success rate of Lady Margaret girls attaining five GCSEs with a minimum of Grade 4 in English, Maths and three other ‘E Bacc’ subjects out of Sciences, History, Geography, French and Spanish.
Overall, the school’s GCSE students achieved 51 per cent of grades from 7 to 9, and 84 per cent between 5 and 9, with an average of 6.23 – very similar to last year.
Headteacher Elisabeth Stevenson said, “We're delighted. Our Year 11 students, along with those across the country, faced significant disruption to their education during the pandemic. They have worked incredibly hard and they are to be commended for their commitment to their studies and for the ways in which they have supported each other through difficult times.
“These are excellent results, and we are so proud of all girls in Year 11. “Congratulations to everyone in Year 11, and thank you to parents and carers for their support and encouragement, and to staff for their hard work and commitment to our students. The students can be very proud of these results and of all they have achieved at Lady Margaret School.”
She said that she looked forward to welcoming many of them back to the sixth form next month and wished all the students “every happiness and success in the next stage of their education”.
Lady Margaret School students check out their results
21.8% of entries across the UK were awarded grade 7 or above, the equivalent of an A grade under the old system which is still used in Northern Ireland and Wales, down slightly on last year but above the level seen in 2019.
The proportion of entries getting at least a 4 or a C, which is deemed to be a passing grade, fell from 68.2 per cent last year to 67.6 per cent this year.
The results show growing inequalities across the country with the gap between north and south and private and state schools widening further.
48.4 per cent of private school entries scored a grade 7 and above compared to 19.4 per cent of those at comprehensive schools.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said, “These pupils have shown remarkable resilience and determination, defying unprecedented disruption throughout the pandemic, Raac and strike action.”
Find Articles Like This Useful? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |