St Thomas the Apostle in Nunhead is celebrating a fantastic set of GCSE results today, with a 97 per cent pass rate.
Almost half year eleven achieved grades 9-7 in the face of huge disruption caused by COVID-19.
As well as working from home for prolonged periods during the national lockdowns, many students have also had to self-isolate at various points and had extremely limited periods of time to complete the practical elements of their studies.
In some cases students learnt in school while teachers taught from home where they had to self isolate.
This year, the ‘outstanding’ rated school has seen 99 per cent of students achieve five or more passes at GCSE. Eighty-seven per cent achieved grades 9-4 in English and maths and 65 per cent achieved a strong pass(grades 9-5) English and maths. The average grade awarded to the cohort is a 6.
One hundred per cent pass rates were achieved in art; business studies; computer science; drama; economics; music and triple science, while in both English and maths, a quarter of students achieved top grades of 8 or 9.
Top performers include Santiago Benitez Campoverde and Ezekiel Oyede who achieved a clean sweep of top grades; sharing 21 grade 9s between them.
Both students have now enrolled on courses to study on the prestigious Oxbridge programme at STAC sixth form in September, to help prepare them for applying to top universities as they study their A Levels.
Ezekiel said: “I was completely shocked with my results, I knew I had put in a lot of work but for my results to turn out the way they did, I am over the moon.”
Santiago commented: “I am truly happy with my results, and I am grateful to my teachers, who taught me everything I needed in order to achieve this. Thank you. I’m looking forward to coming to STAC 6th form next year!’
“Despite the disruption to their studies, I am immensely proud of the hard work and dedication of the students,” said headteacher Eamon Connolly.
“Our Year 11 cohort have been supported by an outstanding team of teachers and, of course, their families; and have achieved everything we knew they were capable of.
“I am delighted that so many of our year eleven students will be continuing at sixth form in September, and I am confident that all students are in an excellent position to pursue their chosen path next year.”