London’s ethnic minority students celebrate top results after pandemic disruption
By SARWAR ALAMAug 27, 2022
BRITISH ASIAN students across the country celebrated top A-level grades last Thursday (18), with one school in Newham – where 71 per cent of residents are from BAME communities – sending a remarkable 92 students to Oxford and Cambridge.
Nearly 90 per cent of students from Brampton Manor Academy in London’s East Ham achieved straight A* or A grades, with 470 students going to one of the prestigious Russell Group universities.
Many of the top students are from under-represented ethnic groups, qualify for free school lunches, or will be the first in their families to enrol in college.
Mehnaz Mushafa will be the first person from her family to attend university when she heads off to Oxford to study philosophy, politics and economics.
Discussing the difficulties of lockdown learning, she said: “It was hard not being with my friends, but the fact that we kept up with our entire schedule of live courses online while still in school uniform and with our cameras on really helped.”
Mehnaz Mushafa
Brampton Manor Academy opened in 2012 with the aim of sending more underprivileged students to the best universities. Its success in recent years has seen it dubbed as the East End’s rival to Eton.
In a short span of 10 years, the academy has sent 300 students to Oxbridge. They had 55 offers last year from Oxford and Cambridge compared to 48 for Eton, whose numbers have dropped significantly from 2014 when they had 99 offers.
The families of three students – Daisy Agidi, Saamiya Moallim and Azeez Shekoni – will see all three following in the footsteps of their older siblings, who are studying at Oxbridge having completed their A-levels at Brampton Manor.
Shekoni, who plans to study medicine at Oxford, will join his brother Harun, who is studying philosophy, politics and economics there.
He said: “Going to Oxford is something me and my brother had both dreamed about for a long time, so when I got my offer, it was a special moment for me and my family. Coming to Brampton taught me that everyone has the potential to achieve their goals, regardless of their background, with hard work and determination.”
The executive principal, Dr Dayo Olukoshi OBE, said: “We are exceptionally proud of what our students have achieved. They have shown incredible resilience and determination to ensure the disruption experienced over the past couple of years has not halted their path to success.
“We passionately believe that there is no limit to what our students can achieve with sufficient effort and determination, and I am not at all surprised that two of the world’s best universities have recognised their talent by offering them places.”
There was an overall drop of the number of students achieving top grades, with 36.4 per cent of A-levels awarded an A or A*. That is a fall of 8.4 percentage points compared to last year, when grades were decided by teacher assessment due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In London, 39 per cent of students were given an A or A*, making it the second-best performing region in the country, just behind the south-east, which scored 39.5 per cent.
London also saw the biggest improvement in exam grades compared to 2019.
Queen Elizabeth School in Barnet celebrated its best-ever results, with seven out of every 10 A-levels awarded the highest-possible A* grade, with 35 students going to Oxford and Cambridge.
Students at Queen Elizabeth’s School (Photo: Eleanor Bentall)
It capped-off a brilliant year for the school after it was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and awarded the Sunday Times’ coveted State Secondary School of the Year title.
An incredible 71 of the 167- strong cohort (42.5 per cent) achieved straight A* grades.
Among them was Siddhant Kansal, who will read medicine at Imperial College. The 18-year-old from Enfield, who volunteered at London’s Whipps Cross Hospital, was awarded A* in German, biology, chemistry and mathematics.
Kansal praised the school’s “shared vision and enthusiasm”, with everyone wanting to do well.
“It’s quite infectious,” he said. “The teachers want you to get better – (they consider) how can they help you get to the next stage? I do have to say that I really enjoyed all seven years here. It was very difficult at first, with a huge learning curve, because of the higher workload and higher standards.”
Identical twins Beuran and Prajish Kannan both gained four A*s – a remarkable eight top grades between them.
Beuran will read chemical engineering at Girton College, Cambridge, while Prajish will study medicine at Churchill College, also at Cambridge.
“I am delighted that we have been able to crown the year with such a magnificent set of results, notable especially for a substantial increase at the very top,” said the headmaster, Neil Enright.
“These brilliant outcomes are well deserved and are testament to both the talent and dedication of pupils and staff, and to the quality of education maintained throughout the last two-and-a-half years.
“The fact that nationally pupils are being warned of lower grades and unusually strong competition for university places makes our own boys’ results all the more impressive. The vast majority here will secure their first choice of university.”
The John Lyon school in Harrow-on-the-Hill supports a number of students with bursary schemes and their efforts were rewarded with excellent grades.
Vinay Kapoor achieved three A*s and will read politics at the University of Warwick, a top-10 UK institution. As head boy, Kapoor championed student welfare and the school’s student mentor scheme.
“I’m delighted with my results. I have had the privilege of serving as head boy this year and I am so proud of my cohort for their excellent results. I would like to thank the school for all their support – the teachers have been nothing short of brilliant. I am now looking forward to university life at Warwick,” he said.
Vinay Kapoor
Another student, Ayaan Haneef is headed to the London School of Economics to study philosophy and economics after gaining three A*s.
Haneef, who has played tennis at international level and reached the top 100 in the UK, volunteered at a primary school, assisting young children with mathematics through a John Lyon partnership.
“I am thrilled that my two years of hard work has paid off,” he said.
“The school has guided me very well and the staff have been very supportive, especially during Covid and the lockdowns. I’m really excited to start university and I would like to thank my mum and dad for pushing me and helping me throughout my school life."
Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)
KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.
Early education minister Stephen Morgan told Times Radio: “We want to make sure that every child gets the support that they need,” but did not rule out changes to current entitlements.
Senior Labour MPs told The Times the plans risk repeating mistakes from past welfare reforms. “We’re all in favour of reforming the system but that cannot be driven by saving money and taking support away from children,” one MP said.
The government’s proposals, expected in the autumn, focus on early intervention and better support in mainstream schools. Ministers say the aim is not to cut costs but to improve outcomes. They have pledged £750 million for new specialist facilities and over £1 billion for high needs budgets.
Campaigners say EHCPs remain essential for securing support. Celebrities and groups including the National Autistic Society warned in The Guardian: “Without statutory support, underpinned by necessary extra resources for schools, it’s extremely unlikely that ministers will achieve their aim.”
Phillipson told the BBC the current system was “too adversarial” and “too bureaucratic,” adding: “We need to just take a step back and think about how do we build a better system.”
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Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week
Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south
Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns
Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.
The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.
Temperatures expected to climb through the week
According to the Met Office, Monday will gradually clear, with sunny intervals forecast later in the day. Temperatures are expected to peak at around 23°C, before rising steadily through the week.
By Wednesday, temperatures could reach between 25°C and 28°C in parts of the country. However, for a heatwave to be officially declared, these thresholds must be met for three consecutive days.
Senior Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna explained: “Although the temperature will be reaching the criteria, we probably won’t actually reach an official heatwave until around Friday.”
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Heatwave likely by Friday, with weekend highs in low 30s
The mercury is forecast to hit 30°C or above by Friday and Saturday, with some areas potentially reaching the low 30s. Conditions are also expected to become more humid towards the weekend, making nights increasingly uncomfortable as temperatures are not likely to fall below 15°C.
Petagna noted that while it will be hot, the UK is expected to avoid the extreme heat experienced in southern Europe, where parts of Spain and Portugal have seen temperatures soar into the mid-40s.
UV and pollen levels also rising
In addition to the heat, very high UV and pollen levels are expected across southern parts of the UK later in the week. The Met Office has advised the public to take precautions during peak hours of sunlight.
The long-term outlook remains uncertain, with some forecasts suggesting the heat may ease early next week, while others predict it could persist into the following weekend.
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Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary
THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.
Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.
The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three Victorian philanthropists – Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley – to “promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the nation of lands and tenements (including buildings) of beauty or historic interest”. With more than “5.38 million members, 11,000 staff and 61,000 volunteers, it is now Europe’s largest conservation charity, caring for over 250,000 hectares of farmland, 890 miles of coastline and 500 historic properties, gardens and nature reserves, for everyone, for ever”.
It wants more British Asians to apply for jobs with the Trust or offer to become volunteers. Many of its historic properties have Indian connections.
McGrady, who has been with the Trust for 20 years, set out the organisation’s aims: “For 130 years, the National Trust has responded to the crises and challenges of the time. Today, nature is declining before our eyes and climate change is threatening homes and habitats on a colossal scale. Meanwhile, millions of people can’t enjoy the benefits that green space and heritage bring.
“So, we will ramp up our work to restore nature, both on our own land and beyond our boundaries. We’ll work to end inequality of access to green space and cultural heritage. And we will inspire millions more people to take action to protect the things we all need to thrive.
“Our charity’s founders were passionate campaigners who recognised the threats to our natural and cultural heritage, and, against the odds, did something about it. That same boldness is needed today. The Trust is uniquely placed to do something about these challenges and it’s why we are setting ourselves these ambitious but much-needed goals.”
At a recent reception to mark the Trust’s 130th birthday in College Gardens, Westminster, the director general asked guests to close their eyes and imagine their favourite idyllic locations.
“You need to know the National Trust is here to look after it, to support it, to stand up for it, to stand up for the right for everyone to have the kind of access to the beauty and the nature that you’ve been thinking about,” McGrady said.
She was “incredibly proud” of what the Trust had achieved “from the very days where there was just a glint in Octavia’s eyes. But I also want you to think about the legacy – not just what we’ve achieved so far, but the legacy we want to leave for our future, for your children, your children’s children, and far beyond,” she added.
She pointed out: “Our historic fabric in our towns and our cities is under massive threat, because we’ve no money to be able to upkeep them. Local authorities are under real pressure. People living in cities – 40 per cent of them – have no access to green or blue space, and so that connectedness that is so vital for the care of nature is being broken.
“And, of course, climate change is affecting everybody’s life – and anyone who doesn’t think it, please just look at the flooding, look at the heat damage, look at our landscapes. These are new challenges, and the Trust is going to step up and face them again.
” She declared: “We’re going to restore nature. We’re not just going to stop the decline. We’re going to restore it.”
McGrady said: “We’re going to move more and more into cities.” “We’ve just done that at Castlefield,” she added, referring to the transformation of a Victorianera steel viaduct transformed into a green “sky garden” in the heart of Manchester.
She also spoke about a landscape project in Belfast: “We’ve just acquired an amazing bit of divis on the edge of Belfast that will make a massive difference to the north of the city.”
She paid tribute to the people who had built the organisation over 130 years: “I stand on the shoulders of many, many of those giants, and they’re the people who built an institution that is much loved, that is much respected and is really trusted, which in this day and age, is a rare and a precious thing I will fight to protect to the death.
” She concluded: “I hope that Octavia – if she’s looking down on us now – will be pleased to see the spirit of the National Trust remains and that we remain for everyone, forever.”
McGrady was followed by Steve Reed, secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs, who waved his National Trust membership card: “We all have a special place we love to visit. For me, it’s Sissinghurst Castle in Kent. I love the beautiful gardens designed by the writer and poet Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson, which remain popular today.”
He expressed the Labour government’s support for the Trust: “I look forward to working with the National Trust to develop this work and open up more of our beautiful countryside for everyone to enjoy.”
He said: “Nature underpins everything: our economy, our communities and our livelihoods. But we have become one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Restoring nature is a key pillar of the government’s plan for change.
“I’ve just arrived back this afternoon from the UN Oceans Conference in Nice. I was proud to announce a consultation on banning bottom-trawling in our marine protected areas. We can’t go on wiping out precious marine habitats, just because they’re out of sight beneath the sea.
“And yesterday, my colleague Matthew Pennycook announced that the government will update national planning policy to ensure swift bricks are incorporated into new buildings. They make a massive impact on expanding bird populations. We will make sure that now happens in new developments right across the country.
“We will create nine new national river walks, plant three new national forests and support communities to create new parks and green spaces in their neighbourhoods. We’ve already announced the first new national forest between the Cotswolds and the Mendips which will see 20 million trees planted in the coming years.
“It’s a national scandal that our rivers, lakes and seas are choked by record levels of pollution. We’re cleaning them up with new laws to ban bonuses for water bosses who oversee catastrophic pollution incidents, and bringing in over £100 billion of private funding to fix the broken pipes that are the primary cause of sewage leaks.”
The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, also spoke in support of the Trust, in contrast to some of her predecessors under the Tories who had criticised a report revealing that nearly a hundred of its historic properties were built with money made in India or through the slave trade.
Nandy said she had visited Trust properties with her parents and now, with her 10-year-old son, had been to “hundreds of National Trust properties all over the country”. “What we’ve seen is an organisation that is truly national in the sense that you are rooted locally, standing with communities not just to protect and preserve, but to promote and celebrate the pride, heritage and contribution of those places and their people to our country.”
The volunteers were warmly thanked by the Trust’s chairman, René Olivieri.
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The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.
On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.
Events are being held across London to commemorate the anniversary. Members of the royal family are expected to join survivors and families of the victims.
The King said the public should draw on the "extraordinary courage and compassion" shown in response to the attacks.
"We remember with profound sadness the 52 innocent people who were killed in senseless acts of evil -- and the enduring grief of their loved ones," he said in a statement published by the Press Association.
"In doing so, we should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion that emerged from the darkness of that day.
"The selfless bravery of our emergency services, transport workers, and fellow citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst."
‘We stood together then, and we stand together now’
Starmer said, "Those who tried to divide us failed."
"We stood together then, and we stand together now -- against hate and for the values that define us of freedom, democracy and the rule of law."
He added, "We honour the courage shown that day -- the bravery of the emergency services, the strength of survivors, and the unity of Londoners in the face of terror."
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a National Service of Commemoration at St Paul’s Cathedral. A separate service will also take place at the memorial in Hyde Park for survivors and families of the victims.
Call for unity and vigilance
Charles said, "While the horrors will never be forgotten", the country "may take comfort from the way such events rally communities together".
"It is this spirit of unity that has helped London, and our nation, to heal," he said.
"Let us therefore use this 20th anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where people of all faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding."
Home secretary Yvette Cooper, speaking ahead of the anniversary, said Islamist and right-wing extremism remained the most significant threats to the UK.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Navroop Singh was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. (Photo credit: Metropolitan Police)
A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for rape, attempted rape and firearm offences following a Metropolitan Police investigation in west London.
Navroop Singh, of Mellow Lane East, Hayes, was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on Friday, July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. He must serve a minimum of 14 years.
Singh was found guilty of attempting to rape a woman in Southall Park, Ealing, on October 13, 2024. He was also convicted of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to three further charges: possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, rape of a girl under 13, and assault of a girl under 13 by penetration. These charges relate to the rape of a child at Hayes End Park, Hillingdon, on October 23, 2024.
Police launched an investigation following the attempted rape report in Ealing. Officers gathered evidence including CCTV footage, witness accounts and forensic material. The woman had approached two off-duty officers near the park gates, who helped her reach a police station.
Detectives linked the Ealing incident to the rape of a child ten days later. They increased patrols, distributed leaflets in the area, and traced Singh to a location near his home. He was arrested on 27 October.
Acting Chief Superintendent Sean Lynch said: “I would like to commend the strength of the victim-survivors and their families and thank them for their unwavering bravery in reporting these awful incidents to us.
“Today’s conviction is testament to the officers’ thorough investigation, which has identified a violent sexual offender and undoubtedly prevented further harm.
“We are continuing to prioritise tackling violence against women and girls with our increased specialist teams. I hope that the community will find reassurance in our action to put this predator behind bars.”
Specialist officers supported both victims during the investigation and trial.