Blackheath High students buck national trend at GCSE

Students and staff at Blackheath High School celebrated examination results for the second time this month as girls opened their GCSE grades. With the national figure for A*-B at 41.9%, the school is celebrating that 89% of its students’ grades are B or above. Bucking the national trend in declining figures of students studying languages, Blackheath High School girls are enjoying success across the faculty with all Mandarin grades being A*/A. Girls who took Greek GCSE, (offered as part of the school’s co-curricular enrichment programme), all achieved A* grades.

The school also offers GCSE Astronomy as a co-curricular subject to girls in Year 10 and, as last year, all of the students gained A* or A grades.

Shanika Fernando gained her Astronomy GCSE (A*) last year and is now celebrating adding a further eight A* grades plus four A grades to her impressive results portfolio. Ecstatic Shanika said: “I’m so pleased and would like to thank the school for being so supportive.  My teachers really know and understand me and also give inspiring, exciting lessons, particularly in the sciences.”  Her mother, Mrs Sivam wiped tears of joy as she learned of Shanika’s success, explaining: “Since joining the school in Year 7, Shanika has been transformed into a charming, confident and ambitious young woman. Her grades have surpassed all of our expectations and I am so grateful to the school.  I am shaking with elation!”

In a year of outstanding individual stories of success, particular mention goes to Rei-Lin Tran, a talented musician and formidable mathematician. Rei-Lin has gained eight A* grades and three A grades. Following her exceptional performance in the UKMT Maths Challenge earlier this year, she was invited to participate in Oxford University’s Mathematics Summer School for Girls.

As individual successes stories abound, one family is doubly delighted as twins Samantha and Kate O’Sullivan mirrored each others attainment with very impressive sets of A*/A grades.  Demonstrating the school’s success in languages, both girls have chosen to continue studying languages at A Level with Kate (ten A* and two A) opting for: Spanish, French, English Literature and Textiles and Art, while Sam has chosen to study: German, Latin, History and History of Art.

Head, Carol Chandler-Thompson is very proud of the girls’ achievements, commenting: “In a year where headlines are suggesting that GCSEs are now more challenging and the decline in top grades, we are delighted with the success of all our Year 10 and 11 girls, who have achieved some superb results, and are set to excel in Sixth Form. It is particularly pleasing to see our girls so readily embracing the challenge of ambitious subjects like Astronomy, and flourishing as a result.”