Over the last week or so, we covered A-level and GCSE results days across the borough, where many students reaped their rewards after sitting exams for the first time since before the pandemic.
Across the UK, teachers and students were fretting in the days leading up to results day.
This worry was only made worse when schools minister, Nick Gibb, warned that A-level results would deflate to pre-pandemic levels to restore their ‘weight and credibility.’
However, Southwark defied the odds and improved ‘across all indicators’ on their 2019 A-level results, the last set of exams before pandemic grade inflation.
For those who perhaps didn’t get the exact grades they wanted, there are always other opportunities to thrive – it is true that grades do not define you for the rest of your life.
‘Stormzy paid for me to go to Cambridge’ – an interview with Southwark’s youngest councillor
That said, the educational achievements of students should always be celebrated. Especially given the circumstances of many. The vast majority of pupils who wanted to go to university got one of their choices, and lots of others decided to take the path of learning on the job and have taken up valuable apprenticeship schemes.
In the same week, we also interviewed Cllr Joseph Vambe, who is now the youngest councillor in Southwark. Back in 2018, he was one of the first to receive a full scholarship to Cambridge funded by British-Ghanaian rapper, Stormzy.
So far, the chart-topping artist has paid 81 students’ tuition fees and maintenance grants to attend the prestigious university, to ease any financial worries so they would be able to focus on their studies.
Not only is it refreshing to see an international superstar give back in such a genuine and effective way, but to see how much he values education is inspiring and should not be taken lightly.
It is also great to see what a young person from Southwark can do when given the opportunity.
As Joseph told us, he got into politics because he wanted to make a change. This started with setting up a programme that supports, mentors and provides opportunities for pupils in the most disadvantaged schools – so there are no barriers for them in terms of options for their future.
He also highlighted the ways in which he could support residents, adding that he ‘wished more people knew’ to go to their local councillor for help.
Often, people are quick to criticise the local authority – but we forget that behind that there are individuals who want to help in any way they can. An asset to Southwark, we commend and wish him only success, as well as every student regardless of the step they choose to take next.
If the next generation has more leaders like these, the future is in safe hands.