‘Accomplished Mensches’ celebrate strong grades in first A-level exams since pandemic
Multiple Jewish schools praise their students, with some saying more students than ever before have received the highest grades
Jewish students have been celebrating – and commiserating – after receiving their results from the first in-person A-level exams in three years.
Multiple Jewish schools in England have reported strong results, with some saying more students than ever before have received the highest grades.
Rabbi David Meyer from the Jewish schools thinktank PaJeS said the results were “most impressive” in Jewish schools and “a reflection of the dedication and commitment of the students and their teachers.”
He added: “It is also noteworthy that many schools are recording increased numbers of students taking vocational courses. This is a very positive development for the community.”
For the Jewish Community Secondary School in Barnet, north London, it was a record-breaking year with 78% of students receiving A-levels at Grade B or better.
Some students secured the highest possible grades: Dinah Lewis and Eitan Richards each received three A* and one A, while Joel Klein topped the school with four A* grades.
Partrick Moriarty, the JCoSS headteacher, said the students were now leaving the school as “accomplished Mensches”.
He said: “This cohort faced exceptional challenges over the last 2½ years: their GCSE courses ended abruptly without the chance to prove themselves in the exam hall.
“They took these exams without the benefit of that experience, on top of significant disruption to their time in the 6th form.”
At King Solomon High School in Ilford, East London, nearly half of the results – 49% – were graded between A* and B, with all candidates in its Art & Digital Photography and Religious Studies receiving the top grades.
Headteacher Hannele Reece said it was testament to her students’ “resilience and hard work” against the backdrop of the pandemic.
Immanuel College in Bushey, Hertfordshire, said this year had produced the second-best exam results in the school’s history, with 88% of results between A* and B.
“Our students have shown incredible resilience and commitment as a cohort who have seen their education so disrupted,” said Mike Buchanan, the headteacher.
The College’s best results were recorded in 2019, the last time traditional exams were sat.
Yavneh College in Borehamwood announced it was sending six students to Oxbridge or to study medicine after a “brilliant” set of results.
88% of A-level candidates have scored between A* and B, while 93% of vocational students achieved at least three distinctions.
Headteacher Spencer Lewis said it was “testament both to the hard work of the students and to the dedication and commitment of the staff”.
JFS in Kenton, north London, said 65% of all grades were either A* or A, with over a third of all grades at A*.
Headteacher David Moody said all those receiving Oxbridge offers had been successful, while a majority of over 200 students were on their way to Russell Group universities.
He said: “The results are an absolute credit to everyone, pupils, staff and parents alike.
“I could not be more proud of everything they have achieved.
“With over 200 students taking up places at University next year, I am excited to watch everything that they will achieve in their lives.
“It is a privilege to work in such a fantastic community.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
