Newham’s schoolchildren have been celebrating their GCSE results after facing tough new examinations.
The borough’s Year 11 pupils have performed well above the national average in the new English Literature, English Language and mathematics GCSE qualifications.
This is the second year schoolchildren across England have faced new tests designed to be more challenging, and were awarded grades under a new number system, which is said to make it easier for employers and universities to distinguish between grades. Instead of pupils achieving A* to G grades, they have been marked from a top grade of 9, to 1 at the bottom – a 4 is considered the equivalent of a C under the previous grading system.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Charlene McLean and Cabinet member for education, Councillor Julianne Marriot were at Rokeby Secondary School as the students received their results. They met Headteacher Charlotte Robinson and some of the school’s highest achieving students.
The 10 top scorers at Rokeby school achieved more than 110 grade 9 or 8 ( A**- A) GCSEs between them.
Hamza Abdurabi Sheikey achieved 13 GCSEs at grades 9 - 8 (A**- A) and an A^ (the highest grade achievable) in further maths. He wants to study biology, chemistry, maths and economics.
Imtihan Sanim Alam achieved 12 GCSEs at grades 9 – 7 and plans to become a doctor or go into engineering, so will be focusing on science and maths at college.
Twins Emmanuel and Eduardo Beltazar obtained more than 20 GCSEs at grade 9 and 8 including English, maths and sciences as well as distinctions in their BTEC for sports and music. The twins had only been studying at the school for a year after coming to the country from Italy.
In Newham, pupils from 17 secondaries entered the exams. According to provisional results, in English 81 per cent of pupils achieved a 4 grade or higher, with 67 per cent achieving a grade 5 or higher.
In maths, 69 per cent achieved a grade 4 or higher, and 52 per cent achieved a 5 or higher.
Nationally, in English Language and Literature 62 per cent and 73 per cent respectively, achieved a grade 4 or better.
In maths, across the country, 60 per cent of pupils achieved a 4 or better, and 40 per cent achieved a grade 5 or above.
Newham pupils’ grades have continued to improve year on year. Last year 65 per cent of pupils achieved the equivalent of a grade 4 in maths and English, which rose to 66 per cent in 2017.
The percentage of pupils achieving the new tougher English Baccalaureate is 25 per cent this year. This is lower than last year’s figure owing to a tougher grading system requiring a 5 or better (rather than a 4 or better in 2017) in the EBacc subjects.
Councillor Julianne Marriott, said: “I am impressed by the results the students at Rokeby and across the borough have achieved. These are completely new GCSEs, with much more difficult content with the new 9-1 grading system and they have risen to the challenge and made outstanding progress.
“The borough’s results have improved year on year and are well above national averages and this is down to the hard work of our students, teachers and the support of their parents and community.
“It was great meeting and talking to so many students today with the deputy mayor and we wish them all success in their next step, whether that’s an apprenticeship, off to college or into the world of work.”
Charlotte Robinson, said: “We are very proud of our year 11 students – every one of them. We set high expectations for our students and they are also ambitious for their own achievements. Our students have worked really hard and come away with fantastic results. The top 10 achievers came away with more than 110 A**- A grades between them.”