Newsletter
Exam Special 2018
Delight: Some Villiers students jump for joy after their exceptional performances gave the school a record-breaking year
Outstanding effort as new records set THE school celebrated a record-breaking year as students excelled in both GCSEs and A-Levels. At GCSE, our progress 8 figure was the highest in its history, with pupils on average scoring more than half a grade better than expected. There was also exceptional performances in core subjects such as Mathematics, as well as Computer Science and History. Meanwhile the Sixth Form is on track to send 100 per cent of its students to university for the first time in our history. Every student who applied to university has
now been successful in securing a place. A total of 72 per cent of students achieved A* to C grades while 96 per cent achieved A* to E grades at A-Level, which is among the best in the borough. The exam success comes after we were rated “significantly improved from good” and are on track for an Outstanding judgement from Ofsted. Our headteacher Ms Sharma lauded the school’s “outstanding” exam results. She added: “This is even more impressive considering the fact that the majority of subjects were examined under a new system
for the first time this year. Well done to all our students and we look forward to welcoming most of them into our Sixth Form to continue their studies for advanced qualifications. “A huge thank you to all our staff, parents and governors for supporting us in achieving these outstanding results.” Head of Sixth Form Patrick Cootes said: “Everyone worked extremely hard to achieve such high results. “We are pleased that our students are now off to their chosen universities or apprenticeships to follow their chosen areas of study. “
Villiers High School newsletter n Exam Special 2018
Ayah overcame health issues to earn top grades YEAR 13 student Ayah won a place at one of the country’s top universities despite battling depression and anxiety. She achieved three As and one B to secure a place at Russell Group university Warwick to study English Literature and Creative Writing. Ayah was unable to attend nearly a quarter of her classes due to her struggles with mental health. She was diagnosed with anxiety and depression four years ago aged 14 and had to take a month off while studying for her GCSEs. The teen paid special tribute to our teachers at the sixth form who she says were crucial in helping her overcome her difficulties. She said: “Exam time is a struggle for lots of students but having anxiety and depression makes it much tougher. But the support I have received from this school is just incredible, they have really helped to get me over the line with these amazing results. At Villiers they
didn’t punish me, they kept thinking how they could make it better for me. “They have built a very supportive environment and community for students with mental health issues and always given us a platform and a space to talk.” Villiers employs a part-time counsellor, celebrates Mental Health Awareness Week and holds assemblies for students dealing with exam pressure. Head of Sixth Form at Villiers, Mr Cootes, said: “I find it really humbling to work with young people who have to go through tremendously challenging personal circumstances and hold it together despite enormous pressure and expectations. “Not to crack under that pressure is a testament to Ayah’s resilience and self-belief. I know she’s going to go on to be hugely successful in whatever walk of life she goes on to.”
Battle: But Ayah rose to the challenge
Friends all set for new challenge FRIENDS Jasi and Krzysztofa celebrated securing a place at their chosen universities after achieving top grades in their BTEC courses. Jasi (right) achieved triple merit in her Applied Science course to earn a place at Portsmouth University to study Dental Nursing. Friend Krzysztofa will take her place at Surrey University to study Nutrition after her distinction grade in Applied Science.
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Villiers High School newsletter n Exam Special 2018
Rhiya’s extra effort was all down to her teachers HARD WORKING Rhiya thanked her teachers for “always pushing her” to excel as she scored five 9 grades, one 8, two 7s and two 6s. The 16-year-old, whose achievements come three years after the passing of her father, said she felt he would have been proud of her grades. Rhiya said she is looking forward to studying at Villiers High School’s Sixth Form, where she plans to study Law, History and Sociology at A-Level. She said: “When I got 7s in mocks, my teachers would always tell me I could do even better. They were always pushing to make sure I fulfil my potential “There was a lot of pressure. A lot of it was pressure I put on myself to do well. And it paid off. It shows the teachers were right to push me. They knew I had the potential.”
Well done: A happy Rhiya with at Villiers assistant headteacher Lewis Adams
Extra help the key to success for Abdulahi STUDENT Abdulahi was “totally surprised” to get two 9 grades – the top mark available – as well as two 8s and four 7s. Abdulahi said: “It was a long summer waiting for my grades. I started to doubt myself, and my memory of how it went. “My teachers were one of the biggest reasons I’ve got these grades. “I used to drop into their classrooms at lunch for extra help. If I had any confusion or difficulties they wouldn’t hesitate to help. “They gave me all the resources I needed – no-one ever said ‘no’ to me.”
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Villiers High School newsletter n Exam Special 2018
Roshaan revision system worked a treat HEAD boy Roshaan said a revising technique known as the eight-hour rule helped him achieve top grades in his A-Levels. Roshan achieved A grades in Graphics and Economics and a B in Biology and will now study Biology at Warwick University. He said: “I cut down on a lot of leisure time. I stuck to this eight-hour rule – I studied for eight hours every day, slept for eight hours, and then had eight hours of fun time, which I cut down to four hours during exam time. I would do an hour to two hours of study and then have a break.”
Revision rule: Roshaan worked to an eight-hour rule to help him succeed in exams
Henit’s taking a break
Success: Sixth Form student Arsam achieved three distinctions in a Business BTEC Level 3 diploma
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YEAR 13 Henit plans to apply to Cambridge to study Computer Science next year after scoring top grades. He achieved an A* and three As in Computer Science, Maths, Further Maths and Physics and will now take a year off. When asked what advice he would give to aspiring students, he said: “Pay attention and make notes throughout the year instead of cramming it in at the last minute. That helps you remember better.”
Villiers High School newsletter n Exam Special 2018