Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

UK students react to GCSE results

UK students react to GCSE results

STUDENTS have celebrated the release of their GCSE results on Thursday (12) after a second year of cancelled exams due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Alike to A-Level results on Tuesday (10), teachers submitted grades for pupils using their mock exams and coursework as estimates.


According to data, top grades (7/As and above) rose to 28.9 per cent from 26.2 per cent last year. Pass grades 4/Cs and above increased to 77.1 per cent up from 76.3 per cent.

In north London, Alperton Community School student Deepti Pindolia said she was “very happy” with her scores. The 16-year-old achieved all top 9 grades and one grade 8 in art. “I expected to get a high score for some, but not all,” she revealed.

Pindolia admitted the disruptions due to the pandemic had been “stressful” for her and others. “But once we got back to school, the teachers were great,” she said. “They went over anything we felt we’d missed.”

More than 100 Alperton students achieved the top grades (9-7) in English and maths, the school said.

LEAD GCSE QE Barnet cred Eleanor Bentall Pupils from Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet, receiving their GCSE results

Also in north London, Year 11 pupils at Queen Elizabeth’s School (QE) celebrated a strong set of results. More than 19 out of every 20 grades were awarded at 9–7 and 85 per cent at 9-8.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “(Students) have shown great dedication, resilience and positivity, evincing a mature and considered approach to their studies and to the situation they have found themselves in. They and their families should take pride in all they have achieved.”

In Birmingham, Mahin Ashraf voiced his delight over his top grades. The Eden Boys’ School student achieved grade 9 in seven subjects. He will go on to study A levels in computing, economics, and maths at King Edward VI Aston Grammar School.

Ashraf, who was appointed Head Boy in Year 11, said: “I’ve worked really hard for these grades over the last few years, and I’m so glad that my hard work has been recognised.”

Asiyah Ravat, executive principal at Eden Boys’ School said students worked tremendously well during a period of exceptional challenge. “This year, our pupils have had to work incredibly hard to overcome significant challenges to their education,” she said. “Their perseverance and ability to continue to perform so well, in spite of these challenges, is a real testimony to their strength of character.”

LEAD GCSE l r Hafsa Anwar Sabah Jussain and Sidrah Choudhury (L-R) Hafsa Anwar, Sabah Jussain and Sidrah Choudhury from Starbank School celebrate their scores

Also in Birmingham, numerous students from the Starbank School secured top grades.

The school’s highest achieving pupils who are celebrating exceptional sets of GCSE results includes Hafsa Anwar (four grade 9s and four grade 8s), Nuha Taiba (two grade 9s, four grade 8s and two grade 7s), Sabah Jussain (one grade 9, one grade 8 and six grade 7s), Sidrah Choudhury (three grade 9s, three grade 8s and one grade 7) and Zain Zakria (two grade 9s, three grade 8s and three grade 7s).

Principal Gaetano Ferrante said he was “very proud” of the 2021 cohort of GCSE pupils.  He said: “I am immensely proud of all our pupils and staff who have all worked so very hard throughout the pandemic. Despite the incredible challenges this year has presented, our pupils have achieved incredible results.”

In Blackburn with Darwen, 87 per cent of students from the Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School (TIBHS) achieved a ‘strong pass’ in GCSE English and Maths. 93 per cent of students achieved a ‘standard pass’ in GCSE English and Maths, the school said.

LEAD GCSE Maahin Ashraf Mahin Ashraf, from the Eden Boys’ School, achieved grade 9 in seven subjects

Zubair Ahmed achieved the top grade 9 in ten subjects. He is hoping to pursue a career in medicine. “All the teachers and support staff have helped me so much,” he said. “I’m so grateful to everyone who has helped me to achieve these grades and for helping me to grow into the person I am today.”

In response to the release of GCSE results, education secretary Gavin Williamson praised students for their achievements. He also thanked teachers and school leaders for their “work to ensure students get the grades they deserve and need to progress to the next stage of their lives.”

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • 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.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

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.

Keep ReadingShow less