Newsletter
EXAMS SPECIAL 2018
Being successful and feeling successful
New culture of high expectations pays off STUDENTS at Eastlea Community School scored some of the highest grades in the country as the school celebrated a successful GCSE results day. Many students exceeded expectations despite the new tougher numerical grading system, introduced across a range of subjects this year. Headteacher Stephen Gillatt said new systems put in place and a culture of high expectations had helped students to score highly. He added that he was pleased with results in core subjects such as English but said there was still further work to be done. Mr Gillatt said: “It was a very exciting day. This is my first year as a headteacher at the school. I came in last year as a new head and implemented lots of systems and have raised expectations. “The results our students have achieved is a testament to how hard everyone has worked. “We are still on that journey to turn Eastlea into an outstanding
school. This will not happen overnight but today we have seen some very encouraging signs.
“There are some outstanding student results and many of our students have put the effort in and really exceeded expectations.” Mr Gillatt (left) added:
“Next year is a hugely critical year for our school. We have to build on the progress we have already made and make sure we do even better. I am very excited for that challenge.”
Tasnim in top two per cent STUDENT Tasnim Bidisha has been hailed for scoring the very top grade in English literature and language – despite not being able to speak English when she arrived five years ago. Tasnim (left) moved from Bangladesh to the UK when she was 11 but struggled with the language when she first started school. However, thanks to dedicated support from teachers and her own hard work and commitment, she has scored a 9 in both English exams. Her results are all the more remarkable considering grade 9 was only achieved by two per cent of pupils in the country. She
said: “If you had said five years ago I would get the top grade in English I never would have believed you. “Considering how much I struggled with the language when I first arrived, it is almost a miracle how well I have done. “A lot of that is down to the excellent teachers at this school who have worked with me every day. “I have to also give myself some credit because I did work really, really hard on my revision before exams.” The grades mean she can now study A-Levels at the London Academy of Excellence.
n Eastlea Community School newsletter Exams Special 2018
Andreea’s decision proved a smart one Proud: Andreea achieved the grades she needed. Inset: Andreea hands over her phone to Mr Gillatt
SMART Andreea-Denisa Ciubotaru’s decision to lock away her mobile phone to help her study for her GCSEs paid off in style when she scored top grades in her exams. Just over a year ago, Andreea was warned that she faced failing her exams because of her crippling smartphone usage. The Snapchat-loving, selfie-taking student found herself constantly distracted whilst trying to study for her GCSE exams. So in a desperate bid to achieve the results she needed to get into sixth form, she persuaded headteacher Stephen Gillatt to confiscate her mobile for a month before she started her exams. And as she opened the envelope on GCSE results day in August, there was cause for celebration and relief when she learnt she had secured the grades needed to get on to her course. Andreea studied subjects including art and design, maths, English language, literature, media studies and science. She got a grade 7 in art, a 6 in English literature and a 5 in English language, after knuckling down and studying without her phone. Ecstatic Andreea said: “I’m so happy. I really didn’t think this would be possible. “A while ago, I was going through a period of really not studying hard enough for my exams and not getting the grades I knew I could achieve. “I knew I needed to step it up in order to get my results and do something. So I went into school and told them that I wanted them to lock my phone in the safe. “I think they thought I was joking but I was deadly serious. My mum didn’t believe that I would stick to it but I knew I had to. “And after the first few days, it helped a lot. I actually had the time to study and I wasn’t getting distracted. Getting the results I need to do my course really makes me feel proud of what I have done. I took positive action to change my life for the better.” She will now go on to study A-Levels in government and politics, criminology and sociology at Havering Sixth Form College. Headteacher Mr Gillatt said: “I thought Andreea was joking when she said she wanted to lock her phone in a safe at school. “But it’s a testament to how determined she was to achieve her results. She should be very proud of herself.”
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n Eastlea Community School newsletter Exams Special 2018
It all adds up: Anup Das beat off thousands of applicants to earn his place
Maths expert Anup on his way to King’s
STUDENT Anup Das will attend a prestigious sixth form that rivals Eton for results after achieving stellar GCSE marks. Anup secured the grades to confirm his place at King’s College London Maths School, which last year sent 25 percent of graduates to either Oxford or Cambridge. He scored all 9s in maths, biology, chemistry, English literature and computer science, along with 8s in physics and English language. Now he is studying at the specialist school, where he will join the finest young mathematical minds in the country. He was one of 60 students to win a place after beating off thousands of fellow applicants following a gruelling two-hour exam and two interviews. The school, which is run in partnership with King’s College London University, sees pupils achieve some of the best A-Level results in the country, rivalling top-performing
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independent schools such as Eton. Anup thanked his maths teacher Mr Mostafa for inspiring him to apply. He said: “Two years ago, I didn’t even know that this school existed and now I’m going there. It’s all thanks to my maths teacher. Mr Mostafa encouraged me to apply. He gave me extra papers and advised me on what to do.” Anup will study A-Levels in maths, physics, further maths and economics. Headteacher Stephen Gillatt said: “Having one of our students get into one of the most prestigious colleges in the country is a real source of pride for the school. “We talk a lot here about having high expectations and aspirations for our pupils but it is hard for students to buy into that if there are no examples of students achieving and fulfilling potential. “Anup will be a lesson to each and every student of just what can be achieved at this school.”
Happy: Diseghebofa Ockri scored all 7s, 8s and 9s in her GCSEs to secure the grades she needs to study A-Levels.
Delight: Saffron Stewart celebrates top grades on GCSE results day
n Eastlea Community School newsletter Exams Special 2018
Successful Adeel now has different options HARD-WORKING Adeel Shahid has been praised by headteacher Stephen Gillatt after scoring close to a grade higher in every subject than predicted. Adeel said he was “over the moon” with his results after far exceeding expectation. He is now reconsidering his options on where to study his A-Levels as he has the exam results required to attend a more prestigious college. Adeel, who plans to study maths, physics and biology at A-Level, said: “It feels fantastic because I know that all the hard work and effort I have put in has paid off. “I am proud of myself because I was revising all the time. I can now reconsider where I study because some colleges only take students with top grades. “I was not predicted these grades but have got them so I will have to think again. It is a good position to be in.” Headteacher Mr Gillatt said the hard work and commitment displayed by Adeel was a shining example to other students. He added: “Adeel really bought into the ethos we are trying to instil at this school – if you work hard and have belief in yourself, you can reach your potential. “Yes, there have been students who have scored higher grades but no one has worked harder, put more hours in or shown more commitment. “He is a shining example to every one of our students and the perfect illustration of everything we are trying to achieve at this school.”
Committed: Adeel Shahid was rewarded for all his hard work
Success: Student Nashieka Bramble was celebrating top GCSE grades on results day.
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n Eastlea Community School newsletter Exams Special 2018