Islington students celebrate A level results‏

There has been an improvement across the borough in the number of students attaining the highest grades (A*-A). Students at Islington Sixth Form Consortium (IC6) have achieved great A level results, with a pass rate this year of 99 per cent, and A*-A grades at 28 percent, more than the national average at 26 per cent. IC6 is made up of students from Central Foundation Boys' School, Highbury Fields, St Aloysius College and Highbury Grove schools. Keny Castro, 18 from Old Street who studied Art, Design and Media at Highbury Grove achieved A,B, C grades. He said: "I'm so happy, I have to go and call my mum to tell her the good news." The Principal of the IC6, Paul Smith said: "We are delighted for all our students who, through the support of their teachers, have managed to maintain IC6’s position as a very successful ‘A’ level provider , and one of the best in London, for the fifth year running. "The excellent pass rate of 99 per cent is similar to last year but it is our performance in the A*-C grade bracket that has improved even further.

"As an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ provider, we have proved consistently that we deliver where it really counts, namely in greater opportunity and choice for students at the end of their sixth form experience." Cllr Teresa Debono, Mayor of Islington celebrated with students at Highbury Grove and the City and Islington College.

She said: "I am very proud of all the students and the amazing results they have achieved. "It is a testament of all their and the schools’ and college’s hard work.

"Ensuring that all Islington young people gain a solid education is one of the council's top priorities."

Zoe Browne, 18 from Finsbury Park who met the Mayor was celebrating three As in History, Business and Religious Studies.

Zoe said: "I am so grateful to everyone who helped me; the staff at City and Islington College and especially my old deputy head Ms Haynes at Mount Carmel where I took my GCSEs.

"If it had not been for everyone's support I would not have gone on to do my A Levels.

"I'm looking forward to fulfilling my dream and studying Law at The School of Oriental and African Studies."

It was not just A level students who received their results today, many young people opt to study BTECs which allows them to enter university.

Rebecca Mendonca from Highbury Grove School, who grew up in Angel, achieved a triple distinction in her Art BTEC said: "I am really happy with my result it is the equivalent of three A's.

"I'm glad I took a BTEC as it suited me better than A Levels." Rebecca is going to read Media Communications at Greenwich University.

Another student from City and Islington college, Hosanna Makanda was delighted with her 2 A*, A and B.

She said: "I am delighted with my results, I only came to England three years ago from the Congo and could not speak English.

"I did not think I would get an A* in English.

"I am looking forward to continuing my studies at the University of Birmingham to read Law."