Pupils and staff from Mossbourne Community Academy in Hackney Downs celebrated their GCSE results this morning, after the academy achieved another set of outstanding results.
A mixture of relief and delight was palpable as the uncertainty of the past few months, due to the coronavirus pandemic, finally lifted.
A record number of grade 9s (equivalent to A**) were gained by over a third of the cohort and the average grade for all GCSE across all subjects was a grade 6.47.
100% of physics and biology students achieved grade 7 and above, and over 98% achieved the same in chemistry.
Students this year faced a unique set of challenges, including lockdown, not being able to celebrate the end of their schooling and the uncertainty of what grades they would receive.
Mia Smerdon, 16, who achieved a clean sweep of grade 9’s and hopes to study medicine one day, said: “I’m still in shock after receiving my results. At the beginning of lockdown it was really difficult to come to terms with the fact that school finished so abruptly, but I’m incredibly grateful to the staff at the school for supporting me throughout everything.”
Like Mia, Lukas Chico Leung Paton, 16, started Mossbourne Community Academy in year 7 and will be attending Mossbourne Sixth Form..
Lukas said: “When I found out we wouldn’t be sitting our exams I felt relieved but as time went on I realised we would be missing out on a big learning curve. I’m grateful for all the preparation that I did as a Mossbourne student. I don’t think I would’ve got the grades I did today if it wasn’t for the support I received from the teachers.
Lukas achieved two grade 8’s and nine grade 9’s and hopes to study at Oxbridge after his A-levels.
Most impressive is that 79% of MCA students achieved Ebacc, and 96% of students are entered for Ebacc.
Principal of Mossbourne Community Academy, Rebecca Warren, said: “I am incredibly proud and also humbled by the achievements of our Year 11s today. The past few months have not been easy for students and staff, with the changing rules and uncertainty around exams and then results it has been challenging for everyone. But I am so proud of how well our pupils have done, it is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of pupils and staff over the years.”