Provisional results from 16 of the borough’s 24 state maintained mainstream schools predict that pupils in Barnet are set to once again perform better than the national average.
This year has seen the expansion of the new nationwide system for measuring students’ attainment (using a points scale of 9-1) to other subjects alongside English and Maths from last year, and it is the third year of the implementation of ‘Attainment 8’ and ‘Progress 8’, which measures the achievement of a pupil across eight qualifications including English and Mathematics.
Results so far show the average Attainment 8 score in Barnet is 58 points compared to the national average in 2017 of 46 points. This is a four point increase on Barnet’s score in 2017.
From the results received so far, the proportion of pupils who achieved a standard pass (grade 4 or above) in both English and Maths is currently 79 per cent.
This is one percentage point higher than Barnet’s 2017 result and is 16 percentage points higher than the 2017 national average of 63 per cent.
So far in 2018, the proportion of pupils who achieved a strong pass (grade 5 or above) in both English and Maths is currently 64 per cent; four percentage points above the 2017 results in Barnet, and 22 percentage points above the 2017 national average.
In 2017, Barnet was ranked fifth in the country for the Average Attainment 8 score, third for Progress 8, and fourth for the proportion of pupils who achieved the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). The EBacc measure reflects pupils who achieve a 5+ in all of English, Maths, Science, Humanities and a Language. Although the changes to Science, Humanities and Languages grading mean results are not directly comparable, attainment in this measure is strong in 2018 at 43 per cent, compared to the national average in 2017 of 21.1 per cent.
Among those picking up their results today were pupils from the Archer Academy in East Finchley. These were the first students to collect GCSE results since the school opened five years ago.
Among them was Head Girl Zaynah Khan, 16, from Temple Fortune. She achieved nine 9s one 8 and A* and is now planning to continue her studies at Harris Westminster Sixth Form.
She said: “I didn’t expect this. I knew I had done well but I wasn’t expecting to do as well as this. I opened the letter and I was just reading the first numbers and thinking - no way. The best thing about it is giving my parents the satisfaction that I have achieved what I have.
“I have loved my time here. There’s always so much to do and the teaching has been amazing. I’m extremely sad to be leaving.”
Shumona Nath, 16, from Finchley Central, received eight 9s, two 8s and an A*.
She said: “It was really surreal. I was away on holiday so I hadn’t thought about it until I got back, then suddenly on the journey here I was really nervous, but I am overjoyed now.
“The Archer Academy has been amazing, if it had a sixth form I would have definitely stayed on. I haven’t decided where I’m going yet but I’m going to take Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths at A-level.
Raphael Klinger,16, from Highgate, achieved five 9s, an 8, an A*, 2 As and a B.
He said: “You just want to open it and find out. It’s just a huge relief now, I can enjoy the rest of my holiday and relax a bit. I am going on to Woodhouse College and then I would like to go on to university, may be to study something in Economics or Engineering. It’s been an amazing experience here, I’m quite sad to be leaving, I would like to have stayed longer.”
Elide Hughes, 16, from Garden Suburb, achieved a 9, six 8s two As and one 7.
Elide said: “I’m so happy. I took it out of the envelope, looked at it and was like, wow. I couldn’t believe the results when I saw them. I’m really pleased because I know have I secured my place at sixth form. It is a really good school - the teachers and Miss Harrison have been great.”
Lada Ugryumova, 16, from North Finchley, received three 9s, four 8s, two 7s, one B and an A*.
She said: “I had had nightmares about it, I was hysterical when I was tearing the envelope open, it was such a great moment. I’m so relieved and happy now. All that hard work has paid off. I am really proud of what I have achieved.”
Archer Academy Headteacher Lucy Harrison said: “I could not have asked for more from my staff and students, and they thoroughly deserve their success today. We look forward to supporting them in their next steps to sixth form and beyond. I am so very proud of our pioneer year group – well done.”
Councillor David Longstaff, Chairman of the Children, Education, and Safeguarding Committee, said: “Many congratulations to all of our pupils collecting their GCSE results. Once again Barnet’s results are a tribute to the quality of the borough’s schools and to the hard work of students and staff.
“Barnet’s schools have performed very strongly and we are proud of all that they have achieved.”