Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Croydon students marked years of hard work and determination as they celebrated their GCSE results, showcasing academic success and resilience.
This group of Croydon students overcame numerous obstacles to meet their goals because they were the year group that missed a large portion of their year 6 due to the pandemic and had an uneasy start to their year 7.
Melissa Cagatay, 16, arrived at Oasis Academy Arena in Year 8 from Romania, where English was her second language.
She said:
“It was hard at first as I didn’t know anyone and everything was different from what I’d been used to. The teachers helped me to settle in, and it got better after that. I love the teachers – they care so much and really get to know the students.”
Melissa was delighted with her results and is going on to study law, psychology and sociology.
Principal of Oasis Academy Arena, Mrs Jeanette Bell said:
“The dedication of staff and the hard work, resilience and determination of students, many of whom joined us part way through their secondary education and/or without English language skills, continues to build on our culture of aspiration and success. We are thrilled to celebrate these outcomes with our students, their families and our staff.”
Meanwhile, Marina was among the top performing students at Ark Blake Academy, with five 9s, two 8s and two 7s. She said:
“I worked really hard and am pleased that the effort I put in shows. It really helped that teachers ran extra classes in the school holidays and really focussed on us.”
Sam Rispoli, Principal of Ark Blake Academy, who received their first set of GCSE results this year, added:
“Our students should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved – not just the numbers but also the growth and resilience they have shown.”
Oasis Academy Coulsdon celebrated its best-ever results, including six 9s and four 8s earned by student Jamin Vara.
Two students from Oasis Academy Coulsdon have also been accepted to study production arts and film production at the prestigious BRIT School in Selhurst. While one student will begin an apprenticeship with Virgin Atlantic, another will study public services with the goal of joining the army.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon said:
“We are very proud of Croydon’s students who got their GCSE and vocational study results. It is wonderful to see their hard work rewarded. We are also thankful to Croydon’s teachers and families who have supported them throughout their journey.
It is my priority to make sure that all children and young people in Croydon have access to opportunities to further their education and careers and it’s great to see the variety of further education avenues this cohort are taking up.”
How will these GCSE outcomes affect Croydon students’ college choices?
Most colleges require a minimum of Grade 4 (a standard pass) in GCSE English and Maths for students to progress to Level 3 courses such as A-levels or BTECs. Stronger grades, especially Grades 7 to 9, open up more opportunities for competitive courses.
Better GCSE results enable students to choose a wider range of subjects and more advanced courses at college. For example, students excelling in STEM subjects can opt for courses in sciences, engineering, or health studies.
High GCSE grades can make students more competitive for university admission or degree apprenticeships. Some university courses have specific GCSE requirements, especially in sciences and languages.