There was joy and pride at Ark Elvin today as our Year 13 students received their BTEC results. Our unique and inclusive sixth form continues to produce top vocational grades this year with the overall percentage of pupils achieving the tops grades improving for another year as the size and subject offer grows.
Student successes include the following young people who are just some of our Year 13 students who achieved top marks and are off to top universities:
Jezzelle who achieved D*, D*, D* in Applied Science and is off to the University of Cardiff to study Biochemistry.
Raluca, achieved Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* (D*, D*, D*) in Applied science and is off to the University of Bath to study Psychology.
Kaviraj, who achieved Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* (D*, D*, D*) in Applied science and is off to the University of Warwick to study Biomedical Science.
Sujal, who achieved D*, D*, D* in ICT and is off to Lancaster University to study Computer science.
Other pupils overcame significant challenges to not only achieve great qualifications but secure places at top universities and apprenticeships:
Juweeriya Warsame joined Elvin in Year 12 in Autumn 2020 on our foundation pathway and having to retake English and Maths GCSE having not secured a pass in Year 11. During her foundation year Juweeriya achieved a 5 in English and a 4 in maths through her hard work and determination, and graduated to our BTEC Level 3 business extended diploma in Autumn 2021. Despite graduating through the foundation pathway Juweeriya consistently outperformed the majority of her peers on the course and achieving Distinctions in 5/9 internally assessed units and merits in 3/4 externally assessed units. Juweeriya graduated in 2023 achieving D*DD significantly outperforming her target by two grades. Juweeriya received offers to study business management from three top third universities including Royal Holloway and University of East Anglia and secured a level 4 apprenticeship with Green Core.
Kayann Letang faced a number of personal challenges throughout her time at school but her self-motivation, hard work and determination has paid off as she did what it took to pursue her goal of reaching University and through hard work and resilience, not only managed to complete her course and graduate, but managed to achieve merits in 3 out 4 external units, as well as Distinctions in 6 out of 9 internal units. This meant that Kayann graduated with a final grade of D*DD and outperformed her target by two grades. Kayann secured a top third University offer form Essex to study Sports Therapy.
For all Year 13 students, this year marks an important milestone in their academic journey. This is their first experience with formal exams as they did not sit formal GCSEs in 2021 due to the pandemic.
Our Principal, Ms Curtis said “We are so proud of the progress our 6th form students have made, their hard work and dedication have really paid off and they have secured places at great universities and apprenticeships. Our 6th form is proof that the vocational route is highly ambitious and just as valuable as A Levels. Our pupils are off to top third universities and highly competitive apprenticeships where we know their hard work and kindness will really shine.”
We also welcomed volunteers from the 93% Club, a charity and social enterprise that supports students and young people in the early stages of their career journey. Volunteers were on hand, providing students with advice on the school-to-university transition.
Today’s success comes after a strong year for our school where we received an Outstanding rating from Ofsted. The report highlighted the school’s new sixth form, where almost all pupils in the first cohort of the vocational qualification were offered a university place last summer.