Arts & Media School Islington students are “ready to make their mark on the world”, according to Islington Council’s education chief.
Cllrs Joe Caluori and Richard Watts attended AMSI along with the Mayor of Islington, Cllr Dave Poyser, yesterday morning (Thursday) to congratulate pupils as they picked up their results.
Cllr Caluori, responsible for children, young people and families said: “Our students this year have faced a double challenge – the big shift towards exams at the end of their courses, and a brand new grading system – so it’s all the more impressive that they have come out of it with flying colours.
“Meeting many students today, I was struck by their dedication, enthusiasm and ambition to make their mark in the world.
“I know how hard the teachers have worked to support our students through this too, and they should be just as proud of helping our next generation be the best they can be. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Among those celebrating was Race Hassan, who followed in the footsteps of his older sister, a high-flying alumnus of the school, by getting four grade 8s, four grade 7s, one grade 6 and two grade 5s.
He said: “Last year my sister came top of the school and so I wanted to do the same. You do the exams and with hindsight you think ‘Oh, if only I had put this instead of that’. I knew what I expected from some of the subjects but there were some that were 50/50, so it was quite suspenseful. But when I opened my results I was relieved.”
Race will take A-levels in biology, chemistry, maths and English and wants to go into medicine.
Kimberly Onen is deciding which college to head to for A-levels in geography, biology and chemistry after gaining a GCSE grade 8 in biology and four grade 7s, among others. “I got only about two hours’ sleep last night,” she said.
“I want to do medicine, but if I don’t go down that road then I would like to do biochemistry. Most of the pressure on me came from myself, so I could go back to my parents proudly, and get a job.”
Also over the moon was Mahed Shakur, who surprised even himself with a grade 7 in maths, fuelling plans to follow his older siblings to university.
“I was really happy with that,” he said. “If I had had extra time in the exam I would have done even better. I have always had a passion for maths since reception.”
Mahed started Year 11 with grade 3-standard in English, but worked hard and achieved a grade 6 this summer. “My class had two teachers throughout the week and they kept on inspiring me and encouraging me to do well. I feel proud about that,” he added.
Nasra Abubakar will head to one of Islington’s sixth-form colleges to study chemistry and psychology after getting two grade 7s, three grade 6s and two each of grades 5 and 4. “My mum called me and she was so happy when I told her what I got,” she said. “I think if you enjoy doing it, you are going to want to study it.”
Other successes included Mazin Ali, who achieved four grade 9 results in maths, chemistry, physics and computer science.
Susan Service, headteacher at AMSI, added: “I am extremely pleased with the results for our students, as they represent hard work and resilience to achieve grades that demonstrate excellent progress.
“Staff worked tirelessly to enable our students to do their best and the smiling faces on results day tells us that it was all worth it. Well done to everyone involved as we celebrate their success in the AMSI community.”
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