Fulham Students Achieve Best Ever GCSE Grades
With record breaking results at schools across SW6
Commenting on the girls’ record-breaking results, executive principal Peter Haylock said: "The results have been outstanding and we believe they will be among the best in the country."
Mr Haylock, who took on the permanent role of executive principal at the Munster Road school last December, also said Fulham Cross’s inclusive environment and dedicated teachers were instrumental in helping every pupil reach their full potential.
Many girls had benefited from extra classes offered by teachers before and after school, as well as on weekends and holidays, to provide additional support in difficult subjects.
" An incredible amount of hard work has been put in by the staff to ensure the students are successful, " said Mr Haylock. "The students themselves also have a real passion to succeed, and as a result we have seen exceptional results now for many years."
Students at Fulham College Boys’ School and Fulham Enterprise Studio, which, like Fulham Cross are part of Fulham College Academy Trust, are setting their sights on a range of diverse careers after posting a solid set of GCSE results.
Peter Haylock, also executive principal of both the school and studio, based in Kingwood Road, said the teachers placed special emphasis on individual students' strengths.
" It’s down to the dedication of our staff, and we run a very different curriculum model to other schools," he said."Everyone is different and we want to give our students an opportunity to do subjects that suit them.”
Combined initial results for both the boys’ school and enterprise studio show 47% of the 85 pupils achieved at least five A* to C grades including English and maths, although Mr Haylock expected this figure to rise after about 15% of students had papers re-marked.
He said pupils studying specialist subjects in the enterprise studio, including construction and performing arts, had done particularly well with the majority achieving A or A* grades in these subjects.
New principal Leon Wilson has overseen huge changes in his first year in office at the once struggling Hurlingham Academy in Peterborough Road and was delighted by the school's GCSE results, with 68% achieving A* to C in maths and English.
"These are the best results in the history of the school," he said. "The English pass rate is now 86%, compared to 69% last year. It’s all about expectation and believing; believing that every student who walks through the door here can achieve.
"The staff go the extra mile, giving up free lessons and working at weekends. Something really good is happening at the academy, but it’s a team effort. You have to have staff who really want to come to work, and in the year I’ve been here I haven’t used a single supply teacher."
Mr Wilson also had a special mention for the parents who have given his staff all-round backing.
"They’re fantastic, they’ve supported me on every initiative," he said."They’re behind me and behind the staff. I’m a very competitive person, and I want this to be the best school in London!”
At Lady Margaret School in Parsons Green, it has been another dazzling year with Year 11 students gaining a superb collection of GCSE results.
Seventeen girls gained ten or more GCSEs at grades A or A*, while overall numbers achieving more than five GCSEs at A*-C was 84.17% - a huge 10% increase on last year’s total.
Headteacher Elisabeth Stevenson was thrilled. "They’ve done brilliantly," she said. "There’s no trick to this; the girls are keen to do well, the parents are incredibly supportive, and the staff have sharp brains and good hearts. They are real subject experts, and are so committed to the girls.
"I’m so pleased. I couldn’t ask for better, and it’s a real leap up from last year. It’s been lovely to see them come in, then bounce out, enthusiastic about coming back to the sixth form."
September 8, 2016
