Local students’ hard work pays off as the borough celebrates another remarkable year of high achievement.
Nationally, GCSE pass rates this year are down slightly on 2023, as grades come back down to their 2019, pre-Covid, levels. In Barking and Dagenham, grades on the headline measures have all improved on the 2019 benchmark.
Secondary schools across the borough reported a strong set of results.
At Eastbury Community School, pupils’ hard work paid off with one in five achieving grades 7-9 in English and Maths. Particular praise was also given to one student who achieved a near perfect eight grade 9s and one grade 8.
Brook 6th Form and Academy enjoyed a successful year, with grades at the school above the national average.
Students at Jo Richardson Community School reflected on what was another great year with half of pupils attaining grades 5-9 in English and Maths.
Early indications pointed to this being The Sydney Russell School’s best ever results day. A third of students achieved the very highest grades of 7-9 in core subjects. There was also high achievement in the English Baccalaureate completing qualifications.
Despite national results falling back close to 2019 levels, Robert Clack School students managed to get grades on average significantly higher than 2019. Overall, 22 pupils at the school were awarded grades between 7 to 9 in every subject they studied.
At Riverside School, over a third of all grades achieved were between 7 - 9. Perhaps most importantly, three quarters of students achieved grade 4 - 9 in both English and Maths enabling them to make those important next steps in education.
All Saints Catholic School enjoyed some remarkable results with many students attaining near perfect grades. Singled out for praise were two students who achieved nine grade 9s and a grade 8 each.
Cllr Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Education and School Improvement, said: “Pupils in Barking and Dagenham have once again done us proud by achieving some exceptional grades right across the borough.
“What todays results show is that in B&D we’re providing a platform for young people to go on and achieve their aspirations.
“I want to say a big well done to everyone who got their results today and to all of the borough’s school staff, without whom this wouldn’t have happened.”
Clare Cantle, Headteacher at All Saints Catholic School, said: “We are in admiration of our young people who, in the most trying of times, rise again to show what they are made of, showing the resilience needed to achieve these fantastic examination results.
“They are the reward for years of determination, dedication and delivery as they were guided by our wonderful staff to this day of elevation.”
Russell Taylor, Executive Headteacher at Robert Clack School, said: “As national results continue their downward adjustment to pre-Covid levels, I am thrilled that, at Robert Clack, we have sustained year-on-year improvement.
“I would like to wish our pupils the very best of luck for the next stage of their education in our outstanding sixth form.”
Clare Cross, Principal at The Sydney Russell School, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of all of our students who now have what they need to access the next stage of their education, training or employment, with many progressing into our Sixth Form to study a range of A Level subjects.”
Andrew Roberts, Headteacher at Riverside School, said: “These impressive results are credit to the hard work and resilience of students together with excellent teaching and support from staff.
“We are also delighted that record numbers of our GCSE students have chosen to stay on at Riverside to study A-levels.’
Lisa Keane, Headteacher at Jo Richardson Community School, said: “As a year group, they have shown exceptional commitment to their learning, and it is great to see all their hard work has paid off.
“Many of our students will be continuing their journey at our sixth form and we look forward to welcoming lots of them back in September.”
Jeremy, a Riverside School pupil, said: “All the hard work that I did was so worth it.”
Roger Leighton, Secretary of the ASCL Headteachers’ Association, said: “GCSE and vocational results day is always a special moment for our 16 year-olds, but this year’s cohort has had a very difficult secondary school experience – they had only one term of Year 7 before the pandemic and lockdowns.
“It is pleasing to see such strong outcomes across Barking and Dagenham, with the vast majority of students achieving the grades needed for their next steps in Sixth Form or College.”
Laura, who achieved nine 9 grades at Robert Clack School, said: “I will be staying in the Sixth Form to study Biology, Chemistry and Maths at A level.
“In the future, I hope to go to Oxbridge and study Medicine.”
Richard Paul, Headteacher at Greatfields School and Chair of the Secondary Headteachers’ Association, said: “This year's GCSE cohort were in Year 7 during the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, which led to a high level of disruption to their secondary education.
“Teachers and school leaders should be recognised for their unrelenting efforts and the countless extra hours of support they have given our young people in order to give them the best possible chance of success under such challenging circumstances”
Kim Donovan, Principal of Brook 6th Form and Academy, said: “We are extremely proud of our students' achievements this year. Their results highlight their hard work and the high standards we uphold at Brook 6th Form & Academy.
“Regardless of any challenges they may have encountered, our students have excelled, and we look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the future.”
Sharon Gladman, Executive Headteacher at Eastbury Community School, said: “The class of 2024 truly deserve our congratulations and best wishes as they move on to the next phase of their educational journey.
“We are excited to witness their continued success and development, with many of them continuing their journey by enrolling in our outstanding 6th Form.”