Jitters and elation as A Level students pick up results

Aiming high: Rhasan Brunner, from BSix, hopes to be a politician after gaining top marks. Photograph: Faris Al-Jawad

It was crunch time for Hackney teenagers today as students gathered at schools across the borough to find out their A-level results.

There were hugs and smiles in abundance at Clapton Girls’ Academy as many students exceeded expectations with their results, securing their places at universities.

Top student Ayah Reza, 17, collected her results with her proud mum by her side and was delighted to achieve an A* in Applied Business, A in Biology and A in Chemistry.

Ms Reza said: “I wasn’t expecting this at all. Last year I got a D and this year I turned it around into an A. I changed my revision style and I worked really hard.

“Next I’m going to go to Kings College to study International relations as it is a subject I really enjoy.”

Proud: Ayah Reza (left) and her mother at Clapton Girls’ Academy. Photograph: Faris Al-Jawad

Head teacher of Clapton Girls, Cheryl Day, was out in full support for her students and was thrilled to see so many of her pupils receive the grades they were hoping for.

Ms Day said: “Our focus is on learning but we are also like a family.
We have a strong community here and the girls really support each other.

“The teachers really care about the girls and work hard to help them get the results they are capable of.”

Tasnim Ali, 18, who is also headed to Kings College couldn’t believe it when she saw that she had received three straight As.

“I was expecting straight Cs as I didn’t revise as much as I should have done but the teachers really helped us. I’m really pleased and my parents are really happy too, my Mum was screaming when I told her.”

Straight As: Tasnim Ali was shocked at her excellent results. Photograph: Faris Al Jawad

Students at BSix Brooke House Sixth Form College in Clapton were also nervously gathered to support each other as they opened their results.

The Hackney Citizen spoke to two young students who had surpassed expectations and were now planning their future on the back of their successful results.

Siraj Patel, 18, from Clapton, was relieved and happy to get into the University he wanted, receiving straight As in English, Politics and History.

He now intends on attending Kings College and hopes to get into Investigative Journalism after he finishes his degree.

Students at BSix also have the option of taking BTEC diplomas. Rhasan Brunner, 19, from Dalston achieved the highest possible grade of triple distinction* in public services.

Mr Brunner will follow up his BTEC with an apprenticeship at an architectural firm working in administration but hopes to eventually pursue a career in politics.

“I’ve been involved in a lot of youth projects in Hackney. I hope to one day go into politics, and maybe work for Hackney council!”

There was also elation at the The Petchey Academy in Hackney as average point scores improved across all subjects with an average of 3 As each and 86% of students who applied to university automatically securing places.