The City of London Academy (Southwark) is celebrating the best A-level results in its history. The pass rate remained at 100%, with 44% of students achieving A*-B grades, and 71% gaining A*-C. Especially significant has been the increase in the average point score per entry from 204 to 211.

There was also a significant improvement in students succeeding in subjects including physics and an uplift in female students taking science and further mathematics. The Academy’s Sixth Form - a specialist Academy in Business & Enterprise and Sport - is now one of the top performing Sixth Form centres in the London Borough of Southwark. The Academy is also home to the national championship winning Basketball Academy.

Many of the students will be taking up places at top Russell Group Universities, including Deniz Yukselir who gained three A* grades and Soner Hasan, who achieved two A* and two A grades and will attend University College London, studying Mathematics. Soner said “As students, we are taught to value the importance of education and how commitment and a positive attitude are the cornerstones of successful learning. This is enhanced by the passion the teachers have for their subjects and the fact that they are always willing to support students in developing their own interests and passions. My time at the Academy has shown me the huge range of opportunities available.”

A Level student Kamle Saadeddin was celebrating after achieving 100% in her GCE Ethics paper, with an overall A* grade in Philosophy and Ethics.

The Academy was established in 2003 and serves one of the most deprived areas in the borough, with two thirds of the students eligible for free school meals.

Richard Bannister, Principal of the City of London Academy (Southwark), said:

“The improvement in A-level and vocational results is great news and our students and teachers should all be very proud of their achievements. The impressive science and mathematics results are particularly encouraging at a time when employers are calling out for these skills. We teach within a very disadvantaged area, so our priority is for our young people to flourish in education and go on to have successful futures.”

The Academy is sponsored by the City of London Corporation, which also sponsors academies in Hackney and Islington.

Catherine McGuinness, Chair of the Education Board at the City of London Corporation, said:

“As the oldest Academy in our family of schools, it is great to see the progress that has been made over the past twelve years. To see so many of the students go on to university or straight into employment is a positive demonstration of the commitment of the staff. We look forward to working with next year’s Sixth Formers and offering them enriching extra-curricular opportunities.”

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