Generation pandemic celebrate outstanding GCSE results
Despite grade boundaries returning to higher, pre-pandemic levels, Yavneh, JCoSS, King Solomon High School, Hasmonean, JFS and Immanuel College reported outstanding grades
Jewish schools have been celebrating impressive results as more than half a million students across the country received their GCSE results this morning.
Against a national backdrop of grade decreases to combat pandemic grade inflation, the majority of students are celebrating after a challenging two years.
JCoSS in Barnet announced that 81% of student results were at Grade 5 and above (considered a ‘strong pass’) and 91% are at Grades 9-4 (the equivalent of an A*-C on the previous grading system).
45% of all results are at Grade 7 (A) or better, with 28% being at Grade 8 or 9, the very highest grades. JCoSS headteacher, Dr Melanie Lee commented: “These are excellent results, achieved despite exceptional challenges during the most difficult years. The outcomes reflect the huge amount of work and utter dedication from both staff and students.
“Our students should feel very proud today. With many individuals scoring top grades and others outperforming their own expectations it is clear that this cohort of GCSE students have a great future to look forward to.”
With more than a quarter of all students achieving at least 7 GCSEs at Grade 7 (A) or better, the school gave honorary mentions to outstanding individual performances from Pai Lustigman, Katie Barel, Amy Freedland, Tamara Brunert, Adam Hershkorn, Abi Caplan, Dana Thomas, Joe Rudling, Leona Lewis, Samuel Gatty, Noah Oakley, Michal Paz and Noah Danker, each awarded between six and nine GCSE’s at the top grade of ‘9’.
JFS in Kenton says the average points score for its students has increased on last year’s result and at 65.7, is nearly half a grade higher than its 2019 scores.
Headteacher Dr. David Moody tells Jewish News: “For a year group whose education has been massively disrupted by Covid, the results achieved by students at JFS have been extremely impressive, especially given the higher grade boundaries we have seen this year. Against a national picture of decreases, it is an incredible achievement from an incredible group of students.
At JFS, 55% of all grades were a 7+ and 20% of all grades a ‘9′. Moody says the students have achieved despite the odds. 83% of all students managed to achieve a 5+ in their English and Mathematics and 91% 4+.
Moody adds: “It is such a pleasure to see all the hard work of our students, so ably supported by their teachers and families, come to fruition and the results are a testament to the determination and tenacity with which everyone has applied themselves”
Immanuel College in Bushey says their GCSE grades have soared far beyond UK averages, with the number of results at the top grade of ‘9’ outstripping the national average by 431%.
The private school says its top marks “outperform both independent and selective grammar schools’ averages by significant margins.”
The school says that despite “toughened grade boundaries as part of a national trend to return to pre-pandemic results, Immanuel College achieved 65.4% top grades (9-7), more than three times the national average of 21.6% (thus outstripping the national average by 202%).”
Immanuel College headmaster, Dr Millan Sachania, said: “I take great pride in the achievements of our pupils and present them with my most sincere congratulations. As with our A Level students, this cohort of pupils has faced enormous challenges in recent years owing to the pandemic lockdowns, and they have impressed me with their determination, resolve and unfettered potential. They have been rewarded with impressive results and deserve all our praise.”
The UK’s only Jewish independent 4-to-18 school outstripped other independent schools by 40.3% and also surpassed selective grammar schools by 10%.
Of the 90 students at Hasmonean High School for Girls in Mill Hill, 54% achieved the top tier of grades (between a ‘7’ and a ‘9’), and 91% achieved between a ‘4’ and ‘9’.
Student Gili Blass achieved 10 Grades 9’s and one Grade 8 this year alongside a Grade 9 achieved previously. She said: “I’m so grateful to the school for the help it provided throughout the years. My caring teachers did their utmost to help us succeed and fulfill our potential.”
Sara Leah Green who achieved 10 Grade 9s and one Grade 8 said: “I will forever be thankful for the opportunities and support I have received from everyone at Hasmonean, not only for the amazing and caring secular studies teachers but also for the wonderful and inspirational Jewish studies teachers.
Of the 94 students at Hasmonean High School for Boys, 45% achieved grades between the highest levels of ‘7’ and ‘9’, with 87% achieving at least a grade ‘4’.
Mrs Miriam Langdon, Headteacher of Hasmonean Boys’ School commented: “We are really delighted by the progress students have made both academically and personally. Our students have achieved well, despite the disruption to their education caused by the pandemic. We know that in future years the whole community will benefit from their success. Our thanks go to each and every member of staff who has worked with our students to allow them to succeed.”
Yoni Silverman who achieved 11 GCSEs at Grade 9 said: “Thank you to all the staff at Hasmonean for helping me achieve these fantastic grades. The hard work has paid off and I look forward to staying at Hasmonean for my A-Levels.”
Josh Isaac-Saul who achieved 11 Grade 9’s said: “I believe Hasmonean epitomises the perfect balance between secular education, Kodesh and an exceptional social environment. I would like to thank all the staff at Hasmonean for being such a huge support to me throughout the years, and I look forward to going on to start my A-levels next year.”
Mr Andrew McClusky, CEO of the Hasmonean Multi Academy Trust commented: “We are very proud of our students’ achievements and these results are a testament to all of their hard work. I am grateful to the teachers who prepared them so well, and to all of our staff who support our students in countless ways. We are exceptionally proud of our students’ academic achievements as well as their wonderful work for charities and tremendous commitment to Jewish learning.”
Mrs Katherine Brice, Headteacher of Hasmonean Girls’ School commented: “We are especially delighted by the progress students have made both academically and personally. Our students have achieved well, despite the fact that they have experienced a number of challenging and unprecedented years due to the pandemic. We know that in future years the whole community will benefit from their success. Our thanks go to each and every member of staff who has made a difference to their lives.”
Rabbi Jeremy Golker, Menahel, said: “These results are all the more impressive given the amount of time our students dedicate to Torah learning, chessed projects and youth leadership. Rabbi Schonfeld’s vision for Hasmonean and our ethos of Torah Im Derech Eretz stands strong and vibrant.”
Yavneh College in Borehamwood reported 41% of students achieving the top tier of grades between ‘7’ and ‘9’; 77% received above a level ‘5’, 90% above a level ‘4’ and 23% of students received an ‘8’ or ‘9’.
Exemplary students given an honorary mention were Asher Friedman
Eden Jacobson, Nathan Cohen, Jonah Hack, Natana Sabel, Eve Cameron
Chaya Grunwald, Benji Shama, Anya Risidore, Avi Grose, Issy Yantin, Charlotte Nead, Rocco Lewis, Avi Baker and Sadie Shear.
Executive headteacher Spencer Lewis said: “I am so proud of our Year 11 pupils who have again, done so well in the GCSEs. They worked really hard and after so much disruption to their education, they can be really proud. Together with last week’s exceptional A Level results, this is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the pupils and of the incredible team of staff at our school.
“In addition to these excellent GCSE results, we are extremely proud of those pupils who have taken vocational courses in Business Studies, PE and Travel and Tourism who also did amazingly well.”
King Solomon High School in Ilford, Essex reported almost 80% of their students achieving grades between a ‘4’ and a ‘9’.
Headteacher Hannele Reece said: “Congratulations to all our students who achieved a great set of results despite their disrupted school career. A huge thanks to all the staff who worked so hard to secure such excellent results. Well done and good luck to everyone as they take their next steps. Special mention to Art, Design & Technology, Geography, Food Technology, Music, Sociology and Spanish.”
Particular congratulations were given to exceptional performers Daniella Vajushi, Drin Kacaniku, Mithun Emmanuel, Albin Kakanicu, Serena Chohan, Maria Chicu, Gavriel Sher, Aberham Hunegnain, Joshua Saltman, Amina Choudhry, Dominika Rynkevic, Ava Rose, Wen Jun Zhuang, Ethan Clerck, Shanaya Bhatia, Jake Levy, Ava Metzger, Mahmudul Islam and Prathona Hoque.
King Solomon Deputy Headteacher Mr Abrahams commented: “These students were impacted by the pandemic and to see them perform so well in line with pre- pandemic grade boundaries is a credit to their hard work. Congratulations to them all.”
Sky News reports that in Wales and Northern Ireland, the proportion of students attaining top grades has fallen on last year but remains around three to four percentage points above 2019.
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