As the A-level and BTEC results yesterday came pouring in, figures from half the borough’s schools show strong gains in the proportion of A*-B grades and A*-C grades.
Meanwhile the figures collected by Southwark Council show the overall percentage of entries achieving a pass A*-E result has dipped slightly due to a drop in the D-E passes.
Commenting on yesterday’s results, Southwark Council’s cabinet member for children and schools said: “Southwark can be hugely proud of its young people today, as we welcome another set of truly inspirational A-level results.
“They show beyond a doubt that Southwark schools are a great place for young people to thrive and reach their potential. I want to wish all our school leavers well as they set off on a new chapter of their lives. With such great results I know you will go far!”
Walworth Academy’s sixth-form principal Yvonne Powell was beaming as she declared her 40 pupils had collectively achieved a 99 per cent pass rate for their BTEC and A-level results, adding that 50 per cent of the results across the board had been A*-B or equivalent.
The school head of three years said: “We’re growing each year, the quality of our teaching is improving immensely and we will have extra students in September.”
Oluwapelumi Durojaiye from Nunhead achieved three Distinction* grades in her Business BTEC.
She said: “I lowered my expectations because I didn’t want to brag until all the hard work had paid off.
“I’ll be doing a gap year working for a marketing company and then I’ll go to study at the University of Surrey.
“My teachers really helped me secure a work placement during the year. I’ve just finished a three-week placement at Blackrock [investment management company].
“I came to this school in year eight and I had to restart. I was given a lot of support and help from my teachers and I took it. I’m the kind of person that when an opportunity comes through, I take it.”
Off for a celebratory “cheeky Nandos” with his mates was Hassan Hassan, eighteen, from Croydon, who earned three Distinction* grades in IT. He’ll be setting off on a gap year to work for east London firm Just IT.
The tech-savvy youngster told the News: “I want to go into a job where I can build hardware and gadgets. The dream would be designing products for Apple.”
Ms Powell added: “Our aim is to open doors to children for whom they might not be open. We want to prepare them to go to a university or career of their choice. Every pupil here will have been on a visit to a university or work experience placement.
“We have a strong emphasis on apprenticeships and giving students a path into work. We have strong links with Price Waterhouse Cooper [and American banks] JP Morgan and State Street. “Our professional pathway scheme help out students get to visit businesses like these and work for them one day per week.”