Jewish students celebrate another year of A-Level success!

Jewish students celebrated another impressive year of A-Level results at Jewish schools this week.

Among the landmark moments for the community was a first full set of A-Level results for “the pioneering student cohort” at JCoSS, who joined in 2010 when the school first opened.

Yavneh College again topped the Jewish charts and improved on last year, with more than half its A-Level students getting A* or A grades, while an “incredible” 88 percent of students got grade B or above. One student, Natalie Miller, made it look easy with a hat-trick of A*s.

“It’s another wonderful set of results,” said Yavneh head Spencer Lewis. “It is a testament to all the hard work the students have put in and we are so proud of what they have achieved. There is so much to celebrate.”

While JFS clocked up 82 percent of grades at B or above – its highest tally in recent years – the Kenton campus actually pipped Yavneh in the percentage of A* or A grades achieved, raking in 55 percent, compared to the Borehamwood college’s 52 percent.

School leaders heralded the 2017 results as vindication following the most recent Ofsted inspection, which rated the JFS sixth-form as ‘outstanding’ – a far cry from the dramatic downgrade the school received three years ago.

A total of 13 JFS students will now take up their places at Oxford or Cambridge, slightly less than last year, while four will be going to medical school. Among the elite list, a trio of bright sparks – Daniel Bernbaum, Oli Solomons and Vitale Stone – caught the eye with their four A* grades.

The new JFS leadership team said: “These results are exceptional and are testament to the hard work of all our students supported by their parents and staff.”

JFS student Raphael Korber-Hoffman and parents

Not far behind the top two was Hasmonean, where 72 percent of results were A* to B, and where student Joshua Daniel looks set to become one of the nation’s top scientists, after a stunning string of five A* grades.

“I’m ecstatic!” said Joshua, who is about to embark on a gap year. “I’m especially happy with my A* in Physics, which was a really tough subject. It feels like endless scientific work and experiments have finally paid off!”

Hasmo headteacher Andrew McClusky said he was pleased that the students had stretched themselves, saying “a significant number have outperformed their target grades… I am delighted that our students have coped so well with the new linear A-level specifications that present an increased level of challenge.”

At JCoSS, where more than a third of results were A* or A, Nathan Caplan, Jess Shaw, Nikita Ostrovsky, Kezia Niman and Jonah Zur got three A* grades. Both Nathan and Jess are now off to Cambridge, to study Natural Sciences and Theology respectively.

Yavneh students celebrating their results
Photo credit: TashPhotography

Headteacher Patrick Moriarty said it was “an historic and highly momentous day, the biggest milestone of the school’s history,” adding that he was “thrilled” with the first full set of A Level results.

“It signifies the faith that every supporter, student and family put into JCoSS to give the children in our community an excellent education in a pluralist environment,” he said. “Today’s results justify all that trust and faith.” As a bonus, the original 2010 cohort had now become “fully-rounded mensches,” he added.

Kantor King Solomon High School in Barkingdale came in just under the national average, with 73 percent of grades between A* and C, compared to 78 percent across England. However, the school’s students in Maths and Physics excelled, with four in ten registering an A* or A grade.

Habs star Zak Wagman celebrating his results

Headteacher Matthew Slater said: “We are delighted that the hard work and dedication of our students and staff has again lead to such superb results.”

Jewish students at non-Jewish schools also did well. At Haberdasher’s Aske’s Boys’ School, Zak Wagman – who keeps himself busy as the school’s vice-captain, an active member of the Jewish Society, a Model UN organiser and speaker, and debater – received 3 A*s.

The Warwick-bound History student said: “I’m delighted with the results! It’s nice to see that my hard work has paid off. The teachers have been excellent. They have worked extremely hard to help the whole year group.”

Rabbi David Meyer, Executive Director for Partnership for Jewish Schools (PaJeS) welcomed Thursday’s A-Level results success. Speaking to Jewish News he said Jewish students “are achieving record results for their A Levels and once again are among the top performing state schools in the country.”

Rabbi David Meyer

“These results are testament to not only the hard work that the students have put in but also to the drive of the school governors, senior leaders and teachers who work tirelessly to ensure that our community’s schools are among the best in the country.”

“PaJeS congratulates the schools, students and parents and thanks them for the fantastic example they are setting, and portraying so effectively the important role faith schools have in our society.”

A spokesperson for the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) congratulated prospective students, adding that they are “delighted that so many Jewish students will be taking up places at universities across the country in just a few short weeks, and we hope that everyone will get involved in their Jewish Society (J-Soc) when they arrive. If you’re still looking for a course, accommodation or information about different J-Socs, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We look forward to seeing everyone at Freshers Fairs and J-Soc events throughout the year.”