Fortismere School celebrates excellent results as disadvantaged children catch up

Children at Fortismere School are free to enjoy the summer. Photo: Nigel Sutton (Image: � Nigel Sutton email pictures@nigelsuttonphotography.com)

Fortismere School pupils are celebrating as an impressive 45 per cent achieved A* to A grades.

And 86% of pupils received five A* to C grades, including in maths and English – up 10 per cent from last year.

Headteacher Helen Glass said she was proud that the achievement gap between “Pupil Premium” students, who are eligible for free school meals, and other pupils at the school had reduced.

Fortismere receives additional government funding which can be spent on initiatives including one-to-one tuition and counselling.

Mrs Glass said: “We are delighted that so many of our students have done so well,sometimes exceeding their own expectations. In particular, the fact that the gap in achievement between our Pupil Premium and non-Pupil Premium students has significantly reduced is the real success.

“Some of our most vulnerable students have benefitted from the support and dedication of our staff and I am proud of them all.”

All Fortismere Year 10s took their science and maths GCSEs early this year, which allows them to take fewer subjects next year, or to repeat their exams.

Kezhe Tamir, 15, was delighted with her A* in maths and A in science, and she thinks she will stick with the grades she has, rather than repeating them next year.

Gareth Morgan, 15, achieved A* and A and Clementine Mason, 15, was pleased with her two Bs.

Jonathan Fordwoh, 15, was happy with two Bs after taking his maths and science GCSEs early, saying he started the year as an “EE” student.

He went to maths workshops and said he had belief in himself.