GCSE joy at City of London Academy Southwark on “exceptional” results day

Students at City of London Academy Southwark (@CoLA_Southwark) have been celebrating their GCSE results today, following months of virtual and in-person classes during the COVID pandemic.

The students achieved a 78% pass rate in English and Maths at grade 4 and above, and 56% pass rate in English and Maths at grade 5 and above.

There was exceptional performance in a number of departments. In English, 42% of students achieved grade 7 or above; in Economics, with 67% receiving grade 7 or above; and in Sociology, with 47% of students getting 7 or above.

Three students received the highest grades possible, achieving 9s in all of their subjects. Charlotte Paresys is one of these students, she said:

“I’m really proud of the results that I’ve achieved. I’ve had some great teachers and I’m looking forward to staying on at CoLA Sixth Form where I’m hoping to study Maths, Further Maths, French and Economics.”

Jesse Ngizwenayo also received straight 9s and commented:

“I feel elated! I want to thank all my teachers who helped me get these results today. I’m so happy I came to CoLA, it really is a place to thrive.”

Finn Wharton was one of the first to open his results today and received 9s across the board. He said:

“I’m relieved that all the hard work was worth it. I’m excited for the next chapter at Sixth Form, where I hope to study Spanish, English Literature, Biology and Chemistry.”

Principal of City of London Academy, Michael Baxter, said:

“This year, our Year 11 students have recorded exceptional grades, enabling many of them to continue onto the prestigious CoLA Sixth Form, as well as a range of other excellent post-16 options.

“These outcomes were achieved despite the significant hurdles thrown at them by the pandemic, including lockdowns, shifting exam expectations, and the personal situations that they, like all of us, have had to endure since March 2020.

“We are hugely proud of their endeavours and know that, despite the challenges that they have faced, they have shown exceptional resilience and ambition to overcome these hurdles.”

Chair of the City of London Academies Trust Board, Tijs Broeke, said:

“The students at City of London Academy Southwark should be delighted with their GCSE results today, not just because their hard work and determination has been reflected in their grades, but also for coping with the huge challenges presented by the COVID pandemic.

“My colleagues and I at the City of London Academies Trust Board send our warmest wishes and congratulations to the students, and our immense gratitude to the dedicated teaching staff.”

City of London Academy Southwark is a member of theCity of London Academies Trust, which runs the City of London Corporation’s sponsored academies. The City of London Corporation sponsors 10 Academies across Hackney, Newham, Islington, and Southwark.

The City Corporation has been named twice by social mobility charity, Sutton Trust, as the UK’s best academy sponsor for empowering pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to perform above the national average, and the leading academy sponsor for Progress 8 and Attainment 8, which track pupil progress and achievement.