Hackney schools boast impressive GCSE results
Group photo of Year 11 outside Cardinal Pole’s main entrance. Photograph: Cardinal Pole
Secondary school students across the borough are celebrating their exam grades even as Covid-era grade inflation comes to an end.
Mossbourne Community Academy
Students and staff at Mossbourne Community Academy (MCA) are thrilled with this year’s outcome.
A full of 81 per cent of grades awarded were grade 5+, 36 per cent were grade 7+ and 20 per cent were grade 9, the top score.
Many pupils obtained 12 GCSEs and a total of 11 students achieved a perfect Average Point Score of 9.
Especially noteworthy performances were those of Farhan Mirza, who today celebrated having 13 GCSEs, 12 of which were awarded a grade 9 and one at grade 8; Mossbourne rower Alexander Chapman, who was part of the team which won a silver medal in the Nationals, also excelled in the classroom and achieved nine grade 9s and two grade 8s; and Lola Mai O’Brian, who opened her brown envelope to learn that she achieved eleven GCSEs at grade 9 and one at grade 8.
Rebecca Warren, Principal of Mossbourne Community Academy, said: “Well done to year 11! Hard work pays off and we are so proud of our students. We have a strong track record with results and we continue to strive for excellence every year.
“We never take anything for granted and our pupils thrive in a culture of aspirational achievement – they have reached for the stars and are enjoying the fruits of their hard work today.”
Our Lady’s Catholic High School
Our Lady’s Catholic High School has also defied the nation-wide downward trend to achieve results that are higher even than those in 2019 or 2022.
A total of 70 per cent of all grades at the school were at grade 5 or above, with nearly a quarter of all grades reaching grade 7 or higher.
Other notable results include 36 per cent of students securing at least one grade 7 or higher, 84 per cent of students garnering grade 4 or above in English, and three-quarters of students achieving grade 4+ plus in maths.
Student Amy, who stands among the highest-achieving students with 6 grade 9 passes and 2 grade 8 passes, said: “I am really happy with my results. I hope I can do well in the future.”
Crina Lisa, another accomplished student with grade 9 & and 8 passes, said: “The results have exceeded my expectations! I am grateful for the unwavering support of my teachers at Our Lady’s Catholic High School. My hard work really helped me achieve these results.”
Headteacher Andy English expressed his delight at the students’ achievements, describing the outcomes as “a reflection of their resilience providing an affirmation of Ofsted’s view that our students achieve well and that this is reflected in their examinations results”.
Our Lady’s students Juanita and Alessia. Photograph: Our Lady’s
Cardinal Pole Catholic School
Cardinal Pole Catholic School, which was shortlisted for the Secondary School of the Year in the 2023 TES Awards, is also proud of this year’s results in which 80 per cent of pupils were awarded 4+ in English and 70 per cent achieving the same marks in maths. A total of 68 per cent of students at the school gained this distinction in both maths and English.
Mollie Hoyle who stands among the highest-achieving students with (7 grade 9s) said: “I worked hard for my GCSE exams, but I couldn’t have done it without the incredible teachers at Cardinal Pole. Their constant support and additional help made all the difference.” Leo Muhibzada, another accomplished student with mainly 9 and 8 grades said: “I am extremely happy with my GCSE results! It hasn’t been the easiest year. but Cardinal Pole provided me with the tools and resources I needed to excel. The teachers went the extra mile to support me, and I am truly grateful for their unwavering dedication.”
Headteacher Adam Hall said: “I am extraordinarily proud of our students. They have worked exceptionally hard throughout the year, and they’ve risen to the challenge with great resilience and a focused desire to succeed. I wish every one of our students the very best for their futures”.