Jumping for joy - GCSE students rejoice as exams results rise
Islington students are celebrating their long-awaited GCSE results today
(Thursday), and with the borough-wide statistics reaching their highest point
ever, the teachers are delighted with this step in the right direction.
Councillor Ursula Woolley, Executive Member for Children and Young People
said: "We've come a long way since 2000, when only 28 per cent of students
achieved 5 or more A*-C grades. We know we can do even better in the years to
come and I'm very pleased that our recent investment in secondary schools is
paying off. With more than £100 million pounds over the next few years, not
just for new buildings and equipment, but to create a whole new approach to
learning, parents can now be much more confident in an Islington education.
Of course, today is all about the pupils. Congratulations to everyone at
Islington schools who got their GCSE results today - each one of them deserves
a bright future. This year's results are a testament to the hard work and
dedication of the young people and all their teachers."
Efrem Semereab, 16, went to Holloway School. He was delighted today to get 13
GCSEs - 4 As, 6 Bs and 3 Cs. He'll be going on to City and Islington Sixth
Form College to study for A levels in biology, maths and PE. Efrem lives in
Manor Park and travels into the borough to study.
Chuffed Efrem said, "I'm so pleased with these results. All my friends did
well too, and we've managed to get the best set of results for our school,
which is excellent. I feel really proud."
Provisional figures released today show that 47 per cent of students in
Islington achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A* - C and, it is expected
that this provisional figure will rise when the results are confirmed by the
Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in January 2006.
The results for individual schools will be published in a few weeks' time once
provisional figures have been confirmed.
Eleanor Schooling, Director of Education Services, CEA@Islington said: "It's
very pleasing to see the efforts of students and school staff rewarded,
particularly in those schools - like Holloway and Highbury Grove - where
levels of achievement have leapt ahead. We are moving in the right direction.
My aim is for every school in Islington to achieve at least 50% 5 or more A*-C
GCSEs, with Islington schools being the first choice for every Islington
parent."
For more information, please contact CEA@Islington's Communications Department: