Ark Globe’s executive principal has paid tribute to the ‘extraordinary’ achievements of his pupils.
“Sixth Form Result Day is always an inspiring occasion,” Matt Jones said. “This year is not an exception.
“What the students achieved during a difficult time for them personally and for the country is extraordinary.
“It’s great to see so many of them secure high-quality destinations at either a top university or apprenticeship.
“I’d like to thank our students and adults at the academy for their commitment to ensuring that every student reaches their full potential.”
This year, 38 per cent of the academy’s year thirteen students will go on to study at a Russell Group university.
Ramon Vivasi said he was ‘overwhelmed’ to open his envelope. After gaining three D*s he is off to Nottingham Trent University to study accounting and finance.
“When I opened my results envelope, I was overwhelmed. Really surprised. I thought that maybe I would get one D*, but I got three! I am very happy,” he said.
“I started at Globe at year seven, but after secondary I left for a sixth form college.
“It wasn’t the right place for me. I came back to Globe after a few months there.
“Teacher support at Globe, especially during the lockdown, was essential. They were very hands on. It was definitely helpful.
My brother works in finance, and he was my inspiration to go into this pathway.”
Marin Dishkov gained four As in biology, maths, physics and an extended project. He will go to University College London to study biomedical engineering.
“It feels good to receive these results, it’s been a long journey for me,” he said. “To be honest, I was expecting these results, but I didn’t want to jinx it, so I didn’t even say it to myself.
“I came to Ark Globe in year eight. I didn’t speak any English back then. I came from Bulgaria with my aunt and uncle. I worked very hard. I wasn’t the best student in Bulgaria and had to learn English first to achieve well here.
“I will study biomedical engineering at the UCL. I am so excited about it, I can’t wait.
“I want to work for a company which makes bionic prosthetics. I wanted to get into this career firstly because of my grandma, who lost her leg and had to wear plastic prosthetics.
“It wasn’t comfortable for her. Then I watched a TED talk, which was very inspirational.
“This person, who gave the talk, lost his leg too and made his own prosthetic leg and was able to climb a mountain after that. I would like to work hard to make disabled people abled. That’s my aspiration.
“My parents and siblings live in Bulgaria. I called them; they are all very happy for me.”
Twis Kehinde and Deborah Solowe are also both celebrating after achieving an A* and two As.
Kehinde, who is off to UCL to study biochemistry, said: “I am happy and proud of myself,” she said. “I see with the grades that I got and that my hard work paid off. I was surprised, as I didn’t expect to get A* in biology.
“I am relieved that me and my sister both got the same results. In GCSEs one of us got a better result and we didn’t like it. I am very proud for both of us.
“It was a tough year. I don’t know how I did during the lockdown.
“I felt lost at the beginning of the first lockdown, but then I made a huge improvement.
“I am very grateful for the tiny space we created in our family’s living room with my sister.
“We live with our parents and two older brothers. We turned a tiny table into a workspace and it was in the same room with the TV.
“We sometimes had to ask our parents to turn the volume down. They were very understanding. I would like to thank our parents, brothers, and grandma for supporting us during the lockdown. Also, huge thank you to my sister. We supported each other, pushed each other and did revisions together.”
Safiya Behanzin gained three Bs in chemistry, maths and physics and will soon take up a degree apprenticeship with the Bank of America, and study digital and tech solution at Ada National College for Digital Skills. “I feel ready for the business world,” she said.
“I chose a degree apprenticeship, because I thought that I would do better in the world of work.
“I like multitasking and doing different things. I worked through my A Levels, and I believe that it prepared me for the apprenticeship. I would like to see how the theory, what we learn during the degree, applies in actual situations.
“I am also excited to work in the tech industry, where there aren’t many women. This is definitely a different pathway that I take as a woman, when I look at my family history.
“I hope that I progress in the business world and inspire young people. Apprenticeship route is not spoken about enough.”