Teenagers from The City Academy, Hackney are preparing to embark on the next phase of their education journey after securing places at Russell Group universities.

Mark Malcolm, principal at the school in Homerton Row, praised teachers, students, parents and staff for adapting quickly to make it through "an exceptionally challenging academic year on all levels". 

 “Over the past few months we have all had to find new ways of working, I am proud of the way in which my teachers, staff and pupils quickly adapted.

“Our main focus during lockdown has been to ensure that all our pupils have been and feel supported and we will continue to offer that support for as long as it is needed.” 

Ceren Ulusoy meanwhile will read law at Queen Mary University of London and Simranjeet Kaur, will be studying children’s nursing at City, University of London. 

The City Academy, Hackney, is co-sponsored by the City of London Corporation and KPMG. 

Ann Holmes, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s education board, said: “Over the last few months our teachers and pupils have all had to adjust to new ways of working. 

“This has been extremely challenging, but through resilience and dedication they have shown an exceptional response to an unprecedented situation. 

“Today’s A-Level results are a reflection of the hard work and effort that our students and teachers have put in throughout the academic year. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every pupil the very best of luck for their future.” 

Hackney Mayor Philip Glanville and Deputy Mayor Cllr Anntoinette Bramble visited schools across Hackney this morning.

Cllr Bramble said: "They (pupils) have shown incredible resilience over the last few months in incredibly challenging circumstances, and whatever they go on to do next, I want to congratulate them and wish each and every one of them success for the future."

She thanked teaching staff and families, who both supported the teenagers. 

It has been a "really difficult time", Cllr Bramble added, and said Hackney Council "shares national concerns" about the grading algorithm.

The council advised students to contact their school if they have questions about their results or their future plans.

Young Hackney is also hosting its annual Summer Careers Festival on August 21, in which young people can access free expert advice and guidance, and speak to professional careers advisers from Prospects. 

For more information visit https://www.younghackney.org/summer-careers-festival/

A Hackney student's niche historical expertise has bagged him a place at the University of Oxford. 

Hal Bishop, a Haggerston School pupil, has been fascinated with Austrian history from the period 1815-1980 since primary school. 

In his interview for the prestigious university, Hal was able to incorporate his extensive knowledge about the events leading up to World War One from the Austrian-Hungary perspective.

"I basically said the Austrian General Franz Conrad Von Hötzendorf was a moron and he (expert interviewer Professor Adrian Gregory) burst out laughing," Hal said.

"I thought he may have started a world war but he has also got me into university."

Hal achieved A*s in history and maths, alongside a B in English literature -which Haggerston School is appealing.

He hopes to start a career in the civil service after university.

A Hackney schoolgirl's dream of going to Oxford or Cambridge university has come true this morning.

Having achieved A*s in maths and chemistry and As in Spanish and biology, Haggerston School pupil Reyhannisa Haji is off to Homerton College in Cambridge to read natural sciences.

The Hackney 18-year-old thought the Cambridge selection process had gone badly and left the interview crying, so was "thrilled" to be offered a place. 

Reyhannisa said: "I always knew as a little girl that I wanted to go to Oxford or Cambridge – before I even knew what university was."

Head of science at Haggerston School, Caoimhe McGarry, said: “The pressure the students are under is always great but especially this year for me as her biology teacher she deserved an A*, especially as it’s what she achieved in her mock exam."

Due to exams being cancelled in the coronavirus crisis, grades were awarded using predictions and moderation this year.

Ms McGarry added: “Reyhannisa is so hard working but very humble; it’s so important to celebrate girls in science and it’s something I am passionate about. 

"It’s difficult to put into words how proud I am."

Our Lady's Catholic High School's head teacher has praised the maturity with which her pupils have "tackled the challenging circumstances" around their exams this year.   

Justine McDonald said she was "incredibly proud" of the achievements of the pupils from the school in Amhurst Park, Stamford Hill. 

 "It has been a privilege to work with these wonderful young people, many of whom have spent seven years with us," she said. 

"It is a real testament to the tenacity and incredible positivity of our young people that they have succeeded despite all the obstacles and barriers that this pandemic has put in their way."  

Nearly a quarter of all results were A or A* at Cardinal Pole Catholic School this morning. 

The Homerton school has said 22 per cent of grades were A or A*, while 63pc were A* to B and 88pc A* to C. 

It highlighted the individual performances of Helena Boateng (AAA), who can study at University of Cambridge; Joel Owusu-Ansah (A*A*B), who can take up his place at Kent and Medway Medical School; and Toyosi Olaribigbe (A*A*A) who can read computer science at the University of Birmingham.

Vocational business results were also described as exceptional, with 70pc of students achieving the maximum grade of D*D*D*.

Headteacher Jane Heffernan said: "These results have provided a platform on which students can build a successful future.”

Pupils are studying a wide range of subjects including medicine, law, architecture, chemistry, maths, business and nursing. 

 Fr David Evans and Annie Gammon, director of education in Hackney, joined the school for its celebrations with staff, students and governors.

A budding actor in Hackney has been given the option to pick between two  prestigious drama schools after receiving his results today.

Haggerston School's Akim Bangura, 18, was offered a place at Bristol Old Vic and The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) after achieving the grades he needed. 

He also impressed on a Zoom audition in June.

Akim has accepted the offer to Bristol Old Vic.

He said: “I love drama as I can just be myself. I grew up in care but I was one of the lucky ones. I have been six years with my current family.

“That gives you a different perspective and also one that says the nuclear family isn’t representative of life – that’s why I like drama, it’s about life.”

Akim was among a group of students who met The Wire actor Wendell Pierce backstage while he was performing in the West End's Death of a Salesmen last summer.

The American star also visited the school last December to give a talk, and while there jammed on the drums with the student jazz band.

Akim said Pierce's experience being a BAME actor in a predominately white industry inspired him. 

He also thanked his drama teachers at Haggerston School, who "spurred" him on: "They have helped me to find a love and passion for drama, to be myself, to discover myself and create a place where my imagination could come to life and I could learn.”

Drama teacher Casey Powell said Akim is "really engaging to watch": "I am just so happy that he has got this amazing opportunity."

The Urswick School head teacher has flagged up that some of the school's predicted grades for pupils have been downgraded, while others have been increased - something he finds "puzzling". 

“I fear that exam boards have concentrated too much on looking at historical data and so have got themselves into a muddle," he said. 

“The most important thing is we must not allow the ambitions and life chances of this group of young people to be defined by Covid-19”.