GCSE results in Tower Hamlets have improved again, while national results have shown their first drop since the qualification was established. The percentage of students achieving at least five GCSEs at grade C or higher stands at 62.4%, up from 34% in 2005/06 and up 1% on last year alone – leaving Tower Hamlets with the second largest improvement in GCSE attainment among local authorities in the country.
The figures speak for themselves.
•Students achieving five A*-C GCSEs, including English and maths: Tower Hamlets – 62.4% (increase of 1% since 2011) National average – 69.4% (decrease of 0.4% since 2011)
•Percentage achieving GCSE English A*-C: Tower Hamlets – 71% (up by 0.5% since 2011) National average – 64.2%
•Percentage of young people achieving GCSE Mathematics A*-C: Tower Hamlets – 74% (up by 0.6% since 2011) National average – 58.3%
Mayor Lutfur Rahman congratulated the borough’s GCSEsters for their results, which were due to their own efforts, supported by hard work from their schools, encouragement from their parents and support from the Borough. A former Cabinet Member for Education, Mayor Rahman is known for his passionate support for education, having seen what a difference it has made to his own life. Having started his education in the Borough’s schools, Mayor Rahman went on to qualify and practise as a solicitor. Mayor Rahman said that these results will give opportunities to the young people who achieved them, but also hoped that these results would see the community as a whole move forward and aim higher.
Behind the formal results are, of course, the human stories. Pupils were celebrating at Oaklands, where Suraya Miah, 16, explained that her 5A* and 3A grade GCSEs will see her studying chemistry, English Literature, maths and biology at sixth form. Suraya said, “I am so happy with my results. My dream is to study medicine, because I have been blessed with a good life and I want to give something back.”
Fellow pupil Athiqur Rahman, 16, matched Suraya’s 5 A* and 3 grade A GCSEs, and added an early B Grade for an ICT AS Level. He will be studying biology, chemistry and maths at Cambridge Heath Sixth Form from September, and said “I’m really happy with my results. I hope to go onto university after my A Levels. Oaklands is a great school because it provides students with so many opportunities, and there are dedicated teachers to support you along the way.”
Over at Bishop Challoner, Adetomike Adeniji, 16, achieved a 4A* and 4As in her GCSEs, plus an A grade in an AS Level this year in Philosophy .She said, “I’m really looking forward to studying my A Levels now. My ambition is to be a dentist. I’m the eldest in my family. I have three younger sisters and I would tell them, and other young people, that you should always try your best! Never give up. If you really want something, you can achieve it!”
Over at the London East Academy, based at the London Muslim Centre, pupils were rejoicing after 96% of pupils achieved grade C or higher in English and Maths. Headteacher Musleh Faradhi congratulated students on their efforts, which had brought the reward of these excellent results.