GCSE grades again break records - The Jewish Chronicle

Students at Jewish schools across the country have again achieved record-breaking GCSE results.
The majority achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, bettering the national average of 98 per cent.

Pupils at Hasmonean High School in North-West London achieved the school's best-ever results, 94 per cent gaining five or more A*- to C-grades.

Among the most outstanding achievements was Rebecca Sassoon's 13 A*-grades. She was one of 39 to receive at least 10 A*- and A-grades.

David Fuller, Hasmonean's executive head teacher, thanked staff and pupils for their hard work and said: "These excellent results mark another significant step forward in our continuing drive to be outstanding in all aspects of our work."

At JFS, 44 students achieved A*- and A-grades in every subject. Liora Witner was among the most successful, with 11 A*-passes.

More than 30 pupils were also fast-tracked on to an AS-level scheme, allowing them to sit exams in Jewish Studies, French and Hebrew one year ahead of schedule.

Head teacher Jonathan Miller said: "I am thrilled that these results show outstanding success for students across the ability range. Our most able students have also responded magnificently to the opportunity offered to them to achieve success at AS level a year early."

Pupils at King David High School in Liverpool also passed every exam taken. Eight secured all A*- and A-grades, with one, Adina Bernstein, collecting 11 A* passes.

Head teacher Bridget Smith said: "We were expecting Adina to do well and she worked very hard. It is a wonderful achievement.

"The results are above what we were expecting. The targets are set according to national statistics and they do ask a lot, so we are very happy to beat them."

At Lubavitch Senior Girls' School, pupils took an average of seven exams each, with two girls passing all papers with A*- and A-grades. Shaina Charkova, who moved to the school from Latvia two years ago, gained seven GCSEs.

Headmistress Helen Freeman said: "We are thrilled with our students' performance and look forward to further successes in their advanced studies."

At Mesivta in Manchester, most pupils took their exams a year early, with an 88 per cent pass rate.

Headmaster Phaivish Pink singled out Levi Ustinov, from Latvia, who moved to Lancashire last September to sit his GCSEs. He achieved eight passes, including English and maths.

There was success for 18 students sitting GCSE Hebrew and Jewish Studies papers at London Jewish Cultural Centre in North-West London.

Teacher Angela Gluck said pupils "threw themselves into the activities and worked extremely hard". Almost three-quarters achieved A* and As.

Immanuel College in Bushey, Hertfordshire, also enjoyed a 100 per cent pass rate, with 59 pupils each achieving all A*- and A-grades.

David Gee, who achieved nine A*- and three A-grades, said: "I'm ecstatic. All the hard work has paid off. I've had the most amazing time at Immanuel."

Students at King Solomon High School in Redbridge had 79 per cent A* to C passes. The results exceeded last year's, an achievement head teacher Spencer Lewis called "a tribute to the hard work and dedication of students and their teachers".

King David High School in Manchester also reached the 100 per cent pass rate. Ten pupils took their AS-level maths exam a year early, achieving five As and five Bs.