Strong performances in English and Maths at GCSE with 42 per cent of students gaining A*- C grades have made it another summer of success at Hartsdown Academy in Margate, after unprecedented A Level performances.
Pleasing results have been recorded across the board by the Year 11 candidates, with Technology, ICT, Art and Design, Music, and Health and Social Care, the best performing subjects.
Principal Andy Somers, who retires this month, said: “Our aim is to give our students a strong platform on which to continue their education and on which they can develop secure futures through university, training and employment.
“Once again this summer Hartsdown students have demonstrated that hard work and a positive attitude brings results and our A Level, vocational subjects, and GCSE outcomes reflect the terrific learning support from our staff.”
Top performers included Claire Canillas whose total featured 4 A*, 1 A, and 3 B grades. Erin Good’s results included 3 As and 4Bs, while Lukasz Radek had 1 A*, 2Bs and 5Cs in his results. Jess Murphy gained A*, A and 5Bs in her passes, while Lavender Mungai’s total included 2 As and 4Bs.
Claire, who moved to Westgate with her family from the Philippines, said: “I have been given so much support at Hartsdown. The whole school community embraced me when I arrived and have really encouraged me to do well.”
Claire, a former deputy head girl, now plans to study Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths and Business Studies. Her aim is to become an astronautical engineer or an astro physicist.
Erin, a senior prefect, hopes to study palaeontology at university after her sixth form studies of Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Music. She said: “I have enjoyed my time at Hartsdown and have made good friends. It has all gone so quickly since Year 7 – and the staff have been brilliant with us.”
Nibar Mahdi-Hussain, 16, could “barely speak a word of English” when he started at Hartsdown in Year 7 after arriving in the UK from Kurdistan. He said: “Hartsdown has been a very positive experience for me and I was given so much support to integrate into this school which has a strong multi-cultural ethos. It helped me settle in a new country.”
He will study hairdressing at college to enable him to follow in his family business.
Mr Somers added: “We wish all our Year 11 students well with their future education whether they move into our sixth form centre or choose to study elsewhere.”