School Results: 2005

·          As we said in the Parents’ Newsletter in July, we did not expect to achieve the same level of 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE in 2005 as we did in 2004 (29%).  This is because the Year 11 of 2005 started at a very low level at the end of Key Stage 3.

·          Our actual achievement was 16% of students who achieved 5 or more A* to C at GCSE and 75% who achieved 5 or more A* to G grades.  Unfortunately, the local and national press have focussed on the low figure of 16% and some papers have been very critical, even saying that the Academy is a failure.

·          But, behind this figures, there is much good achievement to report.  The Fisher Family Trust is funded by the Government (DfES) to analyse student progress in all schools in England.  Their prediction, based on the national rate of student progress, for this year group was for 6% to gain 5 or more A* to C grades.  Last year Ofsted judged our rate of student progress to GCSE as among the top 5% of schools in England.  Our 16% figure is very low but we expect again to show outstanding added value.  The majority of students have started from a very low base, many with only two or three years in secondary education in this country.  We are also confident that they will go on to achieve well in the future.  This is very important with students who have been learning English as an Additional Language (EAL).  These students often achieve very highly but later than those who have had all their education in English.

·          Within the results there are some outstanding success stories.  Daria Mezentseva (DOB: 27/04/1989) who joined our predecessor school in September 2002 achieved 1A*, 4A’s, 1B, 2C’s and 2E’s.  Huda Fakhir (DOB: 19/08/1988) who joined our school in September 2003, achieved 2A*s, 2A’s, 5C’s and 1E and Masouda Samadi (DOB: 10/12/1988) who joined our predecessor school in February 2003, achieved 1A, 6B, 1C, 1D and 2E’s.

·          Our results must be seen in the context of a rapidly improving school.  For the first time, we have gained good results at A level (47% A-C, 86% A-E) and AS-Level (37% A-C, 82% A-E).  At Key Stage Three our results have risen to 44% (English) and 41% (Maths) level 5 or better from 27% and 33% in 2004.  Our improvement at Key Stage 3 is among the best of all the Academies which have opened so far.  Ofsted visited the school in May 2005 and reported that ‘the school is pursuing the right priorities for improving the pupils’ academic and social skills’ and that ‘the senior team and the governors have the capacity to improve the provision’. 

·          We are confident that we will move significantly closer to national levels of achievement at Key Stage Three in 2006 and GCSE in 2008 when the first year group to join the Academy in Year 7 in 2003 takes these examinations.  Our confidence is based on the real achievements at AS and A level – which show we can teach effectively to high academic standards - and the very significant improvement in Key Stage Three.  Here results went up by 17% in English and 9% in Maths with very similar year groups.  These improvements reflect the better teaching we are now providing consistently.

·          Our targets for the new Year 9 (who are the first year group to join the Academy) are for 2006 Key Stage Three SATs are:-

 These are challenging targets but we believe we can reach them.  When we do so, we will have taken a very significant step towards national levels of achievement.

6^th Form Successes

Student of the Year Awards

·        This award is given each year to 2 students graduating from year 13.  The award consists of an inscribed glass trophy and a cheque for £500.

It is given to students who have shown outstanding commitment and achievement academically and also made an outstanding contribution to Capital City Academy and the wider community.  The award for 2005 was given to Ebony Barthlomew and Thomas Boreham.

·        Ebony joined Capital City Academy in September 2003.  During her time as a student in the sixth form, she has always been willing to work towards the betterment of the school she attends.  She actively assists with assemblies, open evenings and community functions.  Her hard working and positive attitude, helpful nature and outstanding leadership skills are an example to her fellow students.  Ebony has gained a place at Hertfordshire University.

·        Thomas Boreham was a pupil at Willesden High School and joined the Sixth Form at Capital City Academy in September 2004.  A quiet student, Thomas prefers to be in the background, but works hard at his tasks.  His commitment to Capital City Academy meant that even in his free periods he was always in the ICT suite assisting with computer sessions.

Thomas has always wanted to give back to the school some of the time and patience that was given to him.  He has chosen to do a work based placement at the school and is now employed as a trainee Technician at Capital City Academy.

High Education Places

·        The following students completed their A Level programme in 2005 and gained University places.

Ø      Hitesh Shamji will study Business and Finance at Hertfordshire University.  Hitesh joined Willesden High School in Year 7 and transferred to the 6^th Form at the Academy.  Hitesh is taking up his place in September 2005.

Ø      Ibrahim Gariba will take up a basketball scholarship to Appalachian State University, North Carolina, USA in September 2006.  Part of our national cup and league winning London Capital Basketball U20’s team, Ibrahim was also named Man of the Tournament.  He is now completing a ‘gap year’ working as a Student Support Assistant in the Academy and continuing his basketball with London Capital.

Ø      Mayomi Ogedengre will study Accounting at Salford University, taking up a place in September 2005.  Mayomi joined WHS in Year 10 and transferred to the 6^th Form in the Academy.

Ø      Charles Waciuma will study Business and Finance at Bournemouth University.  Charles joined Willesden High School in Year 9 and transferred to the 6^th Form at the Academy.  He is taking up his place in September 2005.

Ø      Ebony Bartholomew will study Business and Accounting at Hertfordshire University.  She joined the 6^th Form in the Academy in 2003 after secondary schooling in Trinidad.  She will take up her place in 2006 and will use her gap year to gain business experience.

We wish these students every success in the future.  Their success in winning University places will act as a positive example for the larger group now completing A Levels in Year 13.

Progress in Specialist Areas

·          Our specialisms are Sport and the Arts and we also give particular emphasis to vocational education.

·          AS/A-Level, achievement in Art and Business Studies was outstanding: 60% A-C and 95% A-E in Art and 60% A-C and 92% A-E in Business Studies.

·          The results for AS PE, the other specialist area, were also pleasing: A-C 38% and A-E 87%. Obviously, other results bear out the school’s growing strength in sport, not least the success of London Capital Basketball U 20’s men who won the national league and cup competitions – a team including three of our 6^th Formers.

·          At GCSE, our specialist areas have performed well, especially the Expressive Arts where A-C was 47% and A-E was 94%. Art was outstanding with 80% A-C and 97% A-G.

·          GCSE PE gained 43% A-C and 100% A-G (with similar results in Y12).  Examinations only show part of the picture in sport and a very significant achievement is that 74 of Years 10 and 11 gained the Junior Sports Leader award.