Camden GCSE students buck national trend with impressive results
Camden GCSE students have achieved results which are above the national average – bucking the downward trend caused by a return to pre-pandemic grading this year.
The provisional 2023 results show that the percentage of Camden Year 11 students achieving a ‘strong pass’ in GCSE English and maths – grade 5 or above in both subjects – is 51%, which is well above the borough’s 2019 figure of 46% and the national average in 2019, which was 43%.
Meanwhile, the percentage of Camden GCSE students achieving a ‘standard pass’ in English and maths – grade 4 and above in both – is 68% for 2023, the same as the borough’s 2019 figure and above the national average in 2019, which was 65%.
This was the first year since 2019 that results haven’t been either based on teacher-assessed grades or adjusted to take account of lost learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Camden students also performed above the national average across key grade bands this year:
- 6.8% of Camden GCSE exam entries in 2023 gained the top grade 9, compared with 4.9% nationally
- 26% of Camden GCSE exam entries in 2023 were awarded grade 7 or above, compared with 22% nationally.
Congratulations to students who received their GCSE results this week – you should all be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved. Also, a big shout out to all the wonderful schools, teachers and school staff we have here in Camden who work tirelessly to support our students and help prepare them for the future. It was fantastic to visit Hampstead School yesterday to celebrate alongside students, their parents and staff. I’m overjoyed for everyone - a huge well done all.
One of Hampstead School’s top students was Amr Nour, 16, who gained 10 GCSEs, all at grade 9. His mum Muna said: “He has worked hard.”
Fellow Hampstead School student Sami Ouaziz gained a double 9 in his combined sciences GCSE, an 8 in psychology, three grade 7s, a grade 6 and a 5. He is staying on at the school’s sixth form for his A-levels. He said: "It's been a great experience here."
Matthew Sadler, Headteacher of Hampstead School, said: “We are incredibly proud of the amazing results they have achieved.”
At Parliament Hill School 45% of GCSE entries this year were at the top grades 7 to 9. Sarah Creasey, Headteacher of Parliament Hill School, said: "In view of the challenges in recent years and the return to 2019 standards this is a phenomenal achievement."
Among Parliament Hill School’s top performers were Maya Chopra, who achieved nine GCSEs at grade 9 and one at grade 8 and Thea-Maria Simion-Popescu, who achieved three GCSEs at grade 9, three at grade 8 and two other GCSE passes.
At Haverstock School GCSE results across nearly all subjects were up on 2019, the last year before the pandemic. The school’s top performing GCSE students included Bernardo Canepari, with seven 9s, two 8s and one 7, Runa Gariballa, with six 9s, two 8s and one 6, and Nejwa Seid, with six 9s, one 7 and two 6s.
At Regent High School, Yassine Hanou did exceptionally well, achieving a 9 in history, four grade 8s in geography, maths, English literature and drama, two grade 7s in biology and chemistry and three 6s in English language, physics and further maths. Other top students at Regent High School included Ava Mogaji, who scored a fantastic three grade 9s in English language, history and RE, an 8 in English literature, as well as two 7s in art and design and French.
Gary Moore, Headteacher of Regent High School, said: “I am absolutely thrilled by this incredible set of results. These results are a testament to our dedicated teaching and support staff as well as our diligent and ambitious students. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our families. Their support is integral to the success of our students, especially over the past few years. I couldn’t be prouder.”
At La Sainte Union Catholic School, Lewhat Atsbaha passed nine GCSEs, with five at grades 7 to 9. She will go on to study music A-level, as well as two other subjects, hoping to go on to a conservatoire and to eventually compose music professionally. Fellow LSU student, Louise-Ann De Belen also achieved five top grades in her GCSEs and will study computer science, maths and English or religious studies at A-level. She hopes to go into software design whilst also pursuing her passion for the spoken word (Louise-Ann is a member of LSU’s Debating Society).
GCSE students at Acland Burghley School achieved the school’s best-ever English and maths results at grades 9 to 5. The school’s top performing students this year included Luca Dodd, who achieved 10 GCSEs at grade 9 and one at grade 8, Griff Hayward, who gained nine GCSEs at grade 9 and one 8, and Nathan Levitt, who achieved nine GCSEs at grade 9 and two 8s.
At Camden School for Girls, an impressive 22% of GCSEs were awarded the top grade 9, compared with 13% at the school in 2019. Kateryna Law, Headteacher of Camden School for Girls, said: “A great deal of sustained hard work has gone into these grades and every single student should be very proud of their achievements.”
At UCL Academy Junyou Zhang achieved five grade 9s, two 8s, one 7 and a 6 in her GCSEs and is planning to continue at UCLA to study A-levels. Fellow UCLA student Oscar Worrall passed 10 GCSEs - seven at grade 9, one 8 and two 7s. He plans to study economics, maths, further maths and physics at A-level.
- Students can find information and support on next steps on Camden Rise website
- See more photos and stories from Camden GCSEs 2023 here.