A-LEVELS: Two years of hard work pays off for students across H&F

Pupils at Ark Burlington Danes Academy in White City have achieved exceptional success in their A-level and BTEC exams.

This year's results topped 2023’s with 48 per cent of students achieving A* to C grades or equivalent across all subjects, and 24 per cent securing A* to B grades.

Nearly half of the pupils secured places at top universities, including Durham University, Manchester University, Imperial College London, King's College London and University College London. Many also earned spots in sought-after degree apprenticeships. 

Principal David Carr said: 

We are really proud of what our students have achieved this summer. Students and staff worked tirelessly together so that all students could maximise their outcomes. We are excited to see them become the leaders of the future.”

Success stories include Head Boy Andi Duka, 18, who will join Bloomberg after achieving a B in History, a C in Economics and a D in Maths. Andi's parents moved to the UK as refugees, fleeing the war in Kosovo. 

Andi, who will also receive an Urbanest bursary, said: 

“I am very grateful for the support of my school and teachers. Being Head Boy at Ark Burlington Danes Academy has equipped me with leadership skills which will be crucial in my new position in September.”

Sammy Hilfawi, 18, who underwent spinal fusion surgery earlier this year, earned an A* in Biology and A grades in Chemistry and History and will study Medicine at UCL. He said:

“All of my teachers, particularly the Biology and History departments, inspired me to aim high. They went above and beyond to ensure that I had everything I needed.” 

Namarg Montasir, who fled Sudan in 2017, achieved two B grades in History and Sociology and a C in English Literature. She’s earned a place studying Sociology at the University of Surrey in Guildford. 

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to have an education,” she added.

See photos from Ark Burlington Danes Academy’s results day here.

Fulham Boys School celebrated another year of strong A-level and BTEC results for their Sixth Form. 

Of the 92 boys sitting A-levels, 31 per cent of grades were at A* to A, while 85 per cent were A to C. BTEC students excelled with the average grade of a Distinction*.

The average A-level grade was B, with 43 per cent of students achieving at least one A* or A grade. In EPQ, 67 per cent achieved A* and 100 per cent A* to B.

Headmaster David Smith said:

The Fulham Boys School continues to make significant academic progress. This year was our first with a full cohort and these results are testament to the huge amount of hard work from our boys and staff. We are incredibly proud that, through years of uncertainty, our young men have fought hard to achieve and go beyond their potential.”

An impressive 12 per cent achieved a clean sweep of A* to A grades, including Josh who earned four A* grades as well as an impressive EPQ. He will read Politics with Economics at the University of Bath.

The school is also sending more students to Oxbridge than ever before. Thomas will read Mathematics at Cambridge University, while Ralph, Malachi and Merlin will study Philosophy, Politics and Economics, History and Law respectively at Oxford University.

Students also secured places at Russell Group universities, including University College London, King's College London, Edinburgh University and Exeter University. 

Others are pursuing exciting alternatives like apprenticeships at Grant Thornton, studying abroad at Florida International University and Leiden University, or attending prestigious art schools like Camberwell College of Arts.

"I want to thank our staff and the whole FBS community for all that they have put into the past two years, firmly establishing our sixth form as a springboard for success," added Headmaster Smith.

"FBS is more than just a school; the academic achievement matters but so does the character displayed by our students throughout their time here."

See photos of Fulham Boys School's pupils receiving their results here.

Hammersmith Academy in Shepherds Bush celebrated their student’s A-levels and BTEC successes.

Pupils secured Oxbridge and Russell Group places to study Law, Neuroscience, Medicine, Economics and Finance. 

Seventy per cent of the Academy’s A-level grades were A* to C, and an impressive 39 per cent of those were A* to B. The BTEC results improved on last year’s with 45 per cent of all grades awarded at Distinction or Distinction*, and 92 per cent of all grades Merit or higher. 

Jonathan Harii was this year’s highest achiever with two A* grades, an A and a B. He’s heading to Queen Mary University to read Law:

“I’m really looking forward to starting my law degree, and I’m hoping to pursue the Bar and eventually become a barrister after my degree.”

Headteacher, Gary Kynaston, praised all of the Academy’s hard working students, saying: 

Congratulations to the students and to all those who have supported them along the journey. I have every confidence that they will go on to achieve much more and look forward to them returning as accomplished alumni in the years to come.”

Another Academy pupil, Elaha Hasanzadeh, attained two A grades and a C and will start a Foundation Year in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at University of Cambridge. She said: 

“I am relieved with my results as post-Covid there were anxieties surrounding them. I hope to have a career in diplomacy and politics one day.”

Winnie Chan also achieved A grades and will study Biomedical Science at King’s College London.

“My overall experience has been amazing as I have been surrounded by motivated students and have made many good friends,” she added.

Markas Maciulskas recieved two A grades and a B, securing a place at City University to study Economics with Accounting. He said: 

“I’m extremely proud and ecstatic with my results. I couldn’t have asked for any more help from my teachers as they guided me towards achieving my grades.”

A number of students also achieved apprenticeship places. Hassane Benzellat and Ruth Taddy will begin a Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship at Kepler Interactive, and Tiffany Possi Nyabeu will go on to an apprenticeship at Ofcom. 

Students at West London Free School, King Street, have set new A-level records for a second year running.

More than half achieved A* or A grades, and 82 per cent of the sixth-formers secured a place at their first choice university.

Robert Pearl, joint headteacher, said:

I thought it would be a challenge to beat last year’s outcomes, but this cohort of Year 13s has done exactly that. It’s a significant achievement and there are so many happy faces here today, so many students achieving their dreams, and so many young adults about to make an exciting next step in their lives. I’m delighted.”

Three students will start courses at Cambridge University in October, two at Oxford University and one student secured a spot at Stanford University, California.

Bursary students from disadvantaged backgrounds also achieved top university places, including spots to study Natural Sciences at UCL, Medicine at the University of Southampton, Biomedical Sciences at the University of Reading and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath.  

A quarter of the students achieved all A* and A grades, earning places at all 13 of the Times-ranked top universities in the UK. And 83 per cent earned at least one A* to B grade.

 Ian Hunter, chief executive of the Knowledge Schools Trust, added:

“West London Free School goes from strength to strength in its A-level attainment with an excellent set of results; it’s so pleasing to see the hard work of students and teachers paying off so handsomely.”

William Morris Sixth Form is celebrating its 30th anniversary and outstanding A-level results this summer.

Mary Berrisford, sixth-form principal, said:

Results at William Morris have improved by every measure this year! Our pass rates have improved to 97 per cent overall, and in both A-levels and BTECs our high grades have increased, and the majority of our students have already accepted their university offers. I’m utterly delighted to share in the success of the students who have worked so hard to secure such brilliant results.”

A few of the school’s highest achievers include Emily Harper who earned three A* grades in Art, English and Psychology. She wants to work as a Clinical Psychologist and is going on to study Psychology at the University of York. 

Classmate and talented artist Zeynal Zulfugarli achieved two D* grades in Art and Design and a Distinction in Digital Film and Video Production. He is off to study Film Production and hopes to be a Film Director in the future.

And Georgij Gjorgiev achieved A, A, A in Business, Sociology and Spanish, and is going on to study Marketing and Management at Queen Mary, University of London. 

See photos of William Morris Sixth Form’s students collecting their results here.