Putney Students Deliver Outstanding GCSE Results

Strong performances despite unique challenges for year group

Year 11 students at Putney High School react to their grades

August 25, 2023

Despite a uniquely challenging set of circumstances for this year’s GCSE cohort, students in Putney have managed to achieve some outstanding grades.

As OFQUAL had deemed that the current Year 11 group had been given a more ‘normal’ education, despite the disruption of the pandemic, marking standards returned to pre-Covid levels.

At Ark Putney Academy there was a strong overall performance in Maths and English with nearly 40 percent of students achieving a grade 5+ and 60 percent earning 4+ in both subjects. Students also made above-expected improvement in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business Studies, Travel and Tourism, Hospitality and Catering, Geography and Sociology.

The highest attaining student was Themis Grimault, achieved 10 GCSEs: eight 9s, one 8 and a 7. Themis goes on to study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths at Ark Putney Academy 6th Form. He says, “There were definitely times I felt hopeless in exams but I didn’t allow myself to give up. I think that pure resilience got me over the line with my grades. I am really interested in Biology research and fascinated by genetics so this is my long-term study goal. I’m now off to celebrate with ice cream!”

Andrei Gogoseanu achieved 10 GCSEs: four 9s, five 8s and a 7 and will go on to study Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics. He says, “I really feel like my teachers helped me make the climb from grade boundaries, even as much as two grades. My science teacher gave me some valuable wake up calls during KS4 and that really propelled me to achieve my full potential. My long-term career goals are within accounting and computer science. I’m looking for something that taps into my maths skills and my passion for tech. In the 6th form I am excited to focus on some key disciplines and get out to do some more work experience.”

Themis Grimault was Ark Putney's top performer

Aleena Shakir celebrates five 9s, one 8, three 7s and is off to pursue a suite of STEM A Levels. She commented, “My advice to any students going into year 11 now is managing your own revision from the beginning. I started revising all content from September even whilst I was learning new topics. For maths it’s all about practice questions and leaning on my teachers for support. I feel really proud of my results and I can’t wait for 6th form!”

Alicia Yeung scooped up five 9s, one 8, two 7s and one 6. She goes on to study a combination of History, Maths, Further Maths and Physics at A Level. She says, “I have always been passionate about space but didn’t think I was good enough at science. Despite this I loved researching and finding sources on topics like the big bang theory and black holes. I found this totally improved my science ability. I know 6th form is a big step up from GCSE, but I am excited to make this leap. I would like to thank all my teachers – they have been really helpful.”

Hana Ayache achieved two 9s, six 8s and a 7. She plans to study Biology, Chemistry and Maths at A Level. She says, “My results have really changed my perspective on what I thought I could, and want, to do. Before today I was set on medicine, but these results could open doors into finance, business, technology and many more – I am looking forward to exploring all these different careers in 6th form.”

Chiyedza Muvingi-Sakala managed four 8s, four 7s and a 6, and plans to study Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Sociology. Chiyedza said, “It proves that if you truly put your heart and mind into something, it will pay off. This October I am off on an engineering placement with British Airways to see how my subject choices link to possible career routes.”

Ark Putney Principal, Alison Downey, said, “We are pleased to share in the celebrations of GCSE results for our Year 11 students today. There are some amazing results, reflecting the commitment of students to their studies and proving the point that if you work hard and have high attendance you will be successful regardless of your starting point. We are now looking forward to continuing the journey with our students as they sign up to our sixth form, where we have a wide range of BTECs and A level subjects.”

All students with offers to Ark Putney Academy 6th form and with 5 GCSEs grade 7 or above can apply for an Ark Bursary of £500 which is completely free and does not need to be paid back.

Putney High School managed its best ever tally of 9-8 grades at GCSE in a non-Covid year. 46 per cent of results were at the top 9 grade and 75 per cent were at 9 - 8 (A*). For the second year running 90% of grades were awarded grades 9 – 7 (A) and 14 students achieved a straight run of 10 or more grade 9s. 15% of the year group achieved a straight run of at least 9 grade 9s.

Top ranking GB High Jumper Mabel-Rose Scales achieved all 9s and 8s fresh from winning her first silver medal in an England vest at an International Athletics Board event.

Mabel-Rose Scales is ranked no.2 in the country

There were high scoring subjects across the disciplines from French with 80% grade 9s to PE and Religious Studies with 75% and 63% respectively. English results were particularly strong with 68% grade 9s in English Literature and 53% in English Language.

At least half the year group achieved grade 9 in a broad range of subjects including: Biology, DT Product Design, Geography, History and Latin.

Putney’s many linguists excelled, with results including French and Italian with 80% and 64% grade 9s respectively.

Among those celebrating is the GB J16 Quad, who together rowed for GB for the first time this summer - Emily Peel, Honor Parish, Izabella Habdank-Toczyska and Lucy Cara.

GB U16 rower Emily Peel has achieved a clean sweep of 9s having combined her studies with morning and evening training to compete at Women’s Henley this year and earn her first international vest to represent her country. The other high achieving members of her quad are Honor Parish, Izabella Habdank-Toczyska and Lucy Cara.

Izabella Habdank-Toczyska celebrating with her parents

Acting Head Heidi Armstrong said, “It is wonderful to see our Year 11 rewarded with such fantastic results and doing so well in subjects across the board. There have been some personal triumphs about which the students will be justly proud.

“There have been so many very happy faces in school today and we look forward to seeing them all back in September to begin their Sixth Form A Level studies.”

Cllr Kemi Akinola said she was proud of the borough’s students and pointed out that these were among the cohort of students that had been most badly affected by the pandemic.

She said, “Thousands of young people across Wandsworth are today celebrating their GCSE results and deserve all the credit they get.

“These children are among those most seriously affected by the pandemic and the disruption it caused to their education, so to have achieved good results speaks volumes about their talents and their ambitions.

“My message to young people is whatever they decide to do next, be that remaining in further education, taking up an apprenticeship or leave schooling altogether, I’d like to wish you all the best of luck for the future and hope you achieve their dreams and ambitions.

“I would also like to congratulate all our school leaders, teachers and support staff for their hard work and dedication in providing such solid academic foundations for our young people. They deserve a huge amount of credit for their passion and commitment.”

Jackie Valin who chairs the Wandsworth Secondary Heads Forum added, "Wandsworth Secondary Heads would like to congratulate all our A Level and GCSE students on their successes in the recent exams. It is our commitment to ensuring all our students achieve to their full potential regardless of their starting point or backgrounds to be the best they can be that ensures their success."

Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland overall grades were down with 68.2% of all grades marked at grades 4/C and above. This has fallen mainly due to tougher marking standard in England. The results show that the London area is outperforming the rest of the country with a growing north/south divide developing.