Pupils across south west London are collecting GCSE results which have been determined by teachers after this summer’s exams were cancelled.

This year, teachers in England submitted their decisions on pupils’ grades after drawing on a range of evidence, including mock exams, coursework, and in-class assessments using questions by exam boards.

We are keeping track of results as they come in from schools in south west London:

Meridian High School, New Addington

This Is Local London:

"Plenty of smiles" at Meridian High School today when students collected their GCSE results.

Meridian's top achievers included Tommy-Lee Barrett with two 9s, three 7s, one 6, and a Distinction, and Kacey Blundell with one 9, one 8, seven 7s and two 6s. 

Tommy is now going to study A levels in English literature, politics, history and psychology. He said: "I am really proud of what I have achieved today. My ultimate aim is to become a psychologist."
Kacey, who is continuing her education at Coombe Wood Sixth Form taking A Levels in maths, art and economics, added: "I feel proud of my achievements. I was encouraged by the teachers at Meridian to do my best."

Hall School Wimbledon

Another year of excellent GCSE results for Hall School Wimbledon...

97% of pupils achieved grades 9-4 with 54% of pupils achieving the top grades of 9-7.

100% of Year 11 pupils achieved 5 or more GCSEs including English and Maths.

Headmaster Mr Bannon said: "Bravo to all of our Year 11 pupils on their fantastic set of results! Let no one dare label this generation.

"Our pupils have personified resilience and determination, never letting the multitude of interruptions and obstacles stand in their way of success.

"Our school has overcome so much this year and I am incredibly proud of both the pupils and staff at HSW.

"I wish our departing Year 11's the very best of luck in their next step and I look forward to welcoming them and their families back for prize giving in the Autumn term."

The Quest Academy, South Croydon

This Is Local London:

The Selsdon school are celebrating after students "performed exceptionally well in their A Levels and BTECs" despite Covid-related disruption. 

Among them were Zara Butt, who achieved double Distinction Star in Cambridge Technical Diploma in Applied Science and a Distinction Star in Business BTEC, and is now waiting on results from a flight school in Madrid where she plans to train to be a Commercial Pilot.

"It's my dream job! I’ve passed all the assessments and now I’m waiting for an interview. I joined Quest6 in the Sixth Form because they had great value-added scores and showed really good progression for their students. They give so much support to everyone and they treat everyone the same. I even received a weekly call from my teacher during lockdown and even after, just to check everything was ok. A big thanks to all the staff," she said. 

 

Harris Academy Battersea

Year 11 at Harris Academy Battersea are celebrating a well-deserved set of GCSE results.

Even though students lost a quarter of face-to-face teaching time due to national lockdowns, the academy offered live online learning from day one of the first lockdown and worked hard to ensure everyone had access to the IT facilities they needed as quickly as possible.

Between lockdowns, many students attended summer school during the holidays, stayed late after school to work in the library and took part in other catch-up classes.

This Is Local London: Harris Academy Battersea Harris Academy Battersea

Amongst the top achievers in the academy are:

- Houda Berkani who achieved all grade 9s in her GCSEs. She will be taking her A Levels and then pursuing a career in Finance.

- Aaron Lu (pictured left), Theresa Burrell, Poonyaked Vanakatekul and Bianca Dormido (pictured right), who achieved all grade 8s and 9s in their subjects.

Paula Leigh, Principal of Harris Academy Battersea said: “We have always had a hard-working culture at the academy so when the first lockdown hit, students were determined to find ways to overcome the many obstacles the pandemic created.

"Not only was school and learning affected, but the pandemic also caused a lot of hardship in students’ personal lives.

"The results students have received today are a cause for celebration and joy.”

Harris Academy Morden

Year 11 at Harris Academy Morden have achieved some fantastic results. 

The school would like to give a special mention to a few students in particular: 

-Cezar Tenasa, who got four grade 9s, two grade 8s and three grade 7s, and Jemal Settimba, who got four grade 9s, three grade 8s, one grade 6 and a PE distinction. Both boys are among the top achievers of their whole year group.  

This Is Local London: Sophia Bezruchko and Jamal Settimba with Vice Principal Mr WhelanSophia Bezruchko and Jamal Settimba with Vice Principal Mr Whelan

- Sophia Bezruchko arrived at the academy in Year 9 speaking limited English – yet through dedication, hard work and perseverance she has mastered a new language and a range of academic subjects. She leaves Year 11 with two grade 9s, two grade 8s, three grade 7s and one grade 5.

-Bryan Powell, who is fluent in sign language in order to communicate with his parents, has been awarded a place at a prestigious sixth form. With three grade 9s, four grade 8s, one grade 7 and a PE distinction, Bryan will study his A Levels at Harris Westminster. 

This Is Local London: Bryan Powell and Aisha Aslam with Vice Principal Mr WhelanBryan Powell and Aisha Aslam with Vice Principal Mr Whelan

Julian Sparks, Head of Harris Academy Morden, said: “Given the tumultuous year our students have been through, their achievements deserve special praise this year more than most.

“We are delighted our online lessons and the catch-up classes we provided as soon as schools were allowed to reopen made a real difference to how much our students learnt. 

"We congratulate all our students and wish them the very best of luck in their future endeavours.” 

Ark Putney Academy - Wandsworth 

Despite the ongoing impact of the covid-19 pandemic, students from Ark Putney Academy are celebrating their GCSE results following another challenging academic year.

Among Ark Putney Academy’s high performers in this year’s GCSEs were:

- Remon Sarker scooped an outstanding nine GCSEs at grade 9 and one GCSE at grade 8.

“I’d like to thank my teachers, family and friends who believed in me and inspired me to work hard during such a difficult period," he said.

It is my long-term goal to study medicine, and these results will really set me up for A Levels.”

This Is Local London: Remon Sarker & Danyal Khan Remon Sarker & Danyal Khan

Danyal Khan is another student celebrating phenomenal academic success today, with seven 9s, two 8s and one 7.

“If you have curiosity and a goal in mind, you will be able to succeed no matter what your background. I am so looking forward to delving into my A Level subjects next year," he said. 

"I plan to study Chemistry after the sixth form, and I’ll be the first generation in my family. My parents are really proud of me.”

Another student Hun-Ji Kim balances her semi-pro golfing career with a complete dedication to her schoolwork. Today she celebrates an incredible six 9s, three 8s and one 7. She joins Ark Putney in the sixth form to study a suite of Science A Levels in September. 

Students who have overcome great adversity during their time at Ark include...

This Is Local London: Zane Buanini-Smith Zane Buanini-Smith

Zane Buanani-Smith, who experienced significant challenges during KS3 & 4 and was a young carer for his father. His attendance suffered massively as well his attainment. Today he celebrates the following results: 9, 8, 7, 7, 7, 6, 6, 5 and Distinction* in Sport BTEC.

Sophie Leahy is another student who has made huge improvements over the last few years. With attendance moving from an average of 50% at Ks3 to 96% y Y11, Sophie now celebrates with one 1 9, two 8s, four 7s, one 6 and one 5.

This Is Local London: Head of Year Ms Cameron & Sophie Leahy Head of Year Ms Cameron & Sophie Leahy

Maicha Gilbert has won a place at the London Screen Academy sixth form to study a Post-Production course, she said: “I’m really pleased with my results, and I am so excited for the next chapter.

"I would like to thank my careers teacher for helping me find this opportunity. I would like to say, even when life is hard, you never stop doubting yourself – there can be a happy ending if you make it one.” 

This Is Local London: Maicha Gilbert Maicha Gilbert

Harris Academy Merton

GCSE results day was, once again, a very happy occasion at Harris Academy Merton where the grades achieved have lived up to the outstanding grades achieved at A Level. 

Amongst the highest achievers in Year 11 are:  

-Janelle De Sagun with six grade 9s
-Emma Heaney with five grade 9s
-Harry Cheetham with five grade 9s
-Tamara Habib with five grade 9s 
-Samrawit Yezihalem with five grade 9s
-Eileen Hamya with four grade 9s
-Yvette Ghansah with four grade 9s 

This Is Local London: Aqsa Bokhari, Abir Ahmed, Yvette Ghansah, Tamara Habib Aqsa Bokhari, Abir Ahmed, Yvette Ghansah, Tamara Habib

Aisha Samad, Principal of Harris Academy Merton, said: “Staff were thrilled to celebrate with Year 11 today.

"Lockdown and the pandemic as a whole posed a lot of challenges and students worked incredibly hard to make up for all the missed face-to-face time over the two-year period of their courses.

"We had students working with staff after school and during school holidays for extra lessons and support. Their resilience, and the resilience of this cohort in all schools, is to be commended.” 

Christ's School Richmond 

There was delight and joy at Christ’s School this morning as students celebrated their fantastic GCSE results with staff. 

This Is Local London:

Nicholas Harder was delighted to receive 10 grade 9s as was Abigail Tresise who received 9 grade 9s and 1 grade 8 and signed up immediately for the Sixth Form.

Poppy Sykes was thrilled with her 5 grade 9s and 5 grade 8s whilst twins Emma and Sarah Fuller celebrated their 5 9s, 4 8s, one 7, 6 9s, 2 8s and 2 7s respectively.

This Is Local London:

Helen Dixon, Headteacher at Christ’s School said: “Today we have celebrated the outstanding achievements of all of our students.

"We are delighted that all of their hard work and efforts have paid off after eighteen months of disruption during their GCSE courses and we look forward to welcoming many into the Sixth Form in September”