Hard Working Hammersmith Students Excel in GCSEs


Headteachers proud of pupils' achievements tackling tougher exams

After impressive results achieved by H&F's A Level students, with a 97% pass rate, there has been equally upbeat news for pupils receiving GCSE results.

Grades are awarded from nine to one. With nine, eight and seven ranging from what would have been A* to A in the old system, and four being similar to a C.

At Sacred High School in Hammersmith Road, headteacher Marian Doyle, said she was thrilled with the girls' results.

84% of pupils achieved five or more strong passes (graded five or above) including English and maths; 51% of all grades were levels seven to nine; and 16% were at the very highest level – grade 9. 

"I am thrilled that the pupils have yet again excelled in their GCSEs," said Ms Doyle. "This was due the high aspirations, commitment, dedication and hard work of both the teachers and the pupils and the ongoing support of our parents.

"Sacred Heart is an amazing community in which to learn and the success of our pupils is testimony to this."

For West London Free School in King Street, this was only its third set of GCSE results since the school was founded in 2011, and delighted headteacher Clare Wagner described them as "a brilliant achievement.

85% of students achieved grades nine to four, while 20% achieved grades nine and eight and 7% achieved a top level nine in all subjects. Grade nines were achieved in a range of
subjects, including Mathematics, English Literature, English Language, History, Religious Studies, Music, French and all three Sciences.

Happy West London Free School students with their results

Said the headteacher: "Many congratulations to all students and staff for their hard work, dedication, and deserved successes."

Across the borough, passes at grades nine to five in maths rose from 55% to 61%, and those at grades nine to five in English from 73% to 74%.

"Having gone to school in the borough, I know first hand how wonderful our schools are," said Cllr Larry Culhane, Cabinet Member for Children and Education. "At a time when the exam system is changing and getting tougher, these results give us even more reason to celebrate. Congratulations to all students, families and staff on their achievements this year."

Hammersmith's independent schools were also celebrating excellent sets of results. At Godolphin & Latymer in Iffley Road, Year 11 students took both legacy and reformed qualifications and perfomred superbly in both. In legacy examinations, 86.7% of grades awarded were A*, and 98% A*-A.  

In the new GCSEs, 56.1% achieved grade nine, and an amazing 96.4% achieved grades nine to seven.

On its website, the school said: " That so many students achieved the highly sought after grade nine is a testament to their utmost dedication as well as the commitment of all those who have taught and supported them in school.

"We are delighted for our students. Well done to all!"

Hard work, resilience and effort also paid off at Latymer Upper School, where over 90% of the grades were at A* or A, and over 70% were at A*.

At least 39 students achieved at least ten A* grades, while 88 - over half of the group - achieved at least eight. Altogether, across the year the pupils collectively gained over 1,200 A* grades.

Latymer Upper Head, David Goodhew, pictured below, said: " Congratulations to our GCSE students for their outstanding set of results.

" I am very proud that, as well as achieving top academic grades, many of our students have become accomplished debaters, musicians, actors, scientists and sportsmen & women and contributed to a whole host of clubs and societies at the School.

" I look forward to following their progress in the Sixth Form as they continue to pursue their academic and extra-curricular passions."

August 28, 2018