Westminster Academy (WA) is celebrating today’s GCSE results along with the hard work and range of achievements of its Year 11 students over the past five years.

The school community was pleased to see over two thirds of its students achieve the benchmark grades 9-4 in English and Maths, ensuring the progression of these students to exciting Level 3 pathways in September. 76% of students got a 4 or above in maths, and 75% of students achieved a 4 or above in English. Over half of the school’s students achieved 9-5 grades in English and Maths.

WA was particularly proud that students achieved well across the board, regardless of their backgrounds and starting points, demonstrating the impact that the Academy has on the achievements of all of its students.

The school’s artists excelled, with 36% of GCSE Art students achieving grade 7 or above. 33% of GCSE Arabic students achieved a grade 7 or above, among a cohort of linguists: over 90% of students completed a GCSE in a modern foreign language, in line with the school’s IB philosophy to promote an understanding of another culture through the study of its language. Ten different language exams were facilitated at the school, including mother tongue exams, ranging from Urdu to Chinese. 

Today brought the end to a summer of nerves and anticipation for students. Among those celebrating were twins Martina and Martin Radenkovic, who came to the country from Italy at the end of Year 6, and had to learn English as they transitioned to secondary school at WA. Martina achieved six grade 9s, two 8s, one 6 and a Distinction. She was excited to open her grades and said, “I couldn’t have worked harder, so I am happy that what I put in, I got out.” She is now looking forward to doing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) at Westminster Academy. Joining her in the Sixth Form will be her brother Martin, who was happy to secure a place on the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) to specialise in Business. Martin described the GCSE period as not without its stress, but said, “Doing mock exams helped, and once I had finished I felt relief and pride in myself for finishing my GCSEs - the biggest exams of life so far.” The twins reflected on the value of going through the exam period at the same time. Martina says, “It was more relaxing as we knew we would be stressing about exams, but we would be stressing together. I think it brought us closer.” 

Jamili Hammoud is looking forward to joining Martina on the IBDP. She says, “I spent the whole summer stressed about getting the right grades, so when I found out my grades I was just so relieved.” She adds, “The best teachers pushed me and helped me. I could not have got most of my grades without them.”

Jael Kyle will also be taking up a place at the Sixth Form, opting for the IBDP as he says, “It keeps my options open as I don’t know what I want to do in the future.”

This year Ofqual confirmed that they have continued with normal grading, after 2023 saw a return to pre-pandemic grading arrangements with overall national results similar to those of 2019. The GCSE Class of 2024 were in Years 7 and 8 when their secondary education was disrupted by Covid, impacting their transition from primary school and their access to the usual social and extra-curricular opportunities. Despite this, the cohort rose to the challenge and over the past three years they have endeavoured to get involved in a variety of opportunities and initiatives which for some include the Academy’s Army Combined Cadets Force residentials, touring Number 10 Downing Street, specialist basketball coaching and mentoring with Greenhouse Sports, participating in Model United Nations, Barclays Life Skills workshops, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and of course Year 11 would not be complete without the annual prom. Student Lamia Rabi who secured the grades to take up the IBDP next month, reflected, “During my WA career a lot of good things have happened. I’ve achieved a lot and I’m grateful for it - not everyone has those opportunities.” As well as congratulating students on today’s academic achievements, the Academy highlighted the individual successes, character attributes, knowledge and skills that students developed through experiences like these throughout their years at the school, which will help them navigate and flourish in those areas of life which are not part of the national curriculum. With the Schools Standards Minister, Catherine McKinnell, recognising today that students should be encouraged to develop skills in critical thinking and problem solving, the school is excited to be launching a new Theory of Knowledge course for Year 7 students in September, ensuring students develop essential skills in critical thinking and evaluating information, and challenging students to reflect on how we know what we think we know.

Westminster Academy’s new Principal, Mrs Numera Anwar joined the school at the beginning of the month and today she paid tribute to all who were involved in the success of these students. She said, “It is clear that these students have worked tremendously hard, and I feel proud to be working with such dedicated students and staff. I look forward to building on the success of the school in the new academic year. On behalf of everyone at Westminster Academy, congratulations to the GCSE Class of 2024 and thank you to all of the staff, parents, carers, sponsors, trustees and supporters who have supported these students throughout their time at the school.”