End of an era: Hackney school-leavers collect GCSE results

Exams are over and it’s time for GCSE results for local students. Photograph: Richard Lee

Two year’s of studying, revising and preparation today came to a head as school students throughout Hackney collected their GCSE results.

This morning pupils made their way nervously to halls and playgrounds to collect their school grades for the last time.

Teachers and students will be hoping to continue Hackney’s trend of exceeding the national score for GCSE marks.

Last year, 61.2 per cent of students in the borough took home five or more A*-Cs compared with 60.6 per cent of students nationally. Similarly in 2013, 61.3 per cent of Hackney students achieved five or more A*-Cs against the national average of 59.4 per cent.

At Urswick School, 50 per cent of the year group have secured five or more A*-C grades including English and maths – an improvement of 12 per cent on last year’s results.

The school set a personal record for students achieving the English Baccalaureate, with 33 per cent gaining the qualification – an increase of 6 per cent from last year.

A birthday to remember: top grades for Urswick student Khadijat Lawal provide extra reason to celebrate. Photograph: Urswick School

Khadijat Lawal, who is also celebrating her 16th birthday today, achieved eight A* to C grades, including A grades in additional science, English literature, French and history. She said: “I’m really excited and happy with my results. They’re a bonus birthday present! I really wasn’t expecting to do so well but I tried my best and got the best results that I could.”