Jewish schools enjoy strong A-level results despite national dip in top grades

Pupils at Jewish schools are celebrating strong A-level results today despite  a national dip in top grades.

A quarter of grades (25.5 percent) this year were A* or A nationally, slumping to the lowest level since 2007, the Joint Council for Qualifications revealed.

Among the landmark results for the community was a record-breaking 90 percent of A* to B grades at Immanuel College, the higher proportion ever.

The college based in Hertfordshire said two thirds of all grades were A* or A, with 30 percent of pupils achieving the top grade, also a college record.

“Congratulations to the students on these record-breaking achievements, which come hot on the heels of our outstanding inspection report,” said Immanuel College head Gary Griffin. “I wish all of our pupils, and their parents, mazel tov!”

JFS recorded “exceptional” results, with 50 percent of grades at A* or A. Another 22 percent achieved A* grades, while 77 percent were at A* to B, the school said.

A total of 14 pupils secured places at Oxford or Cambridge, and four are going to medical school.

• LIVE BLOG: A-level results day 2019  

Among them, Ilana Cantor, outgoing head girl, has gained a place in Lincoln College at Oxford University. “JFS has given me a great foundation for my future, not only in terms of academic results but for life in general,” she said.

Yavneh College registered a “remarkable” 53 percent of all grades at A* or A, with four students gaining places at Oxbridge, and another three to study medicine.

“Each year, I am amazed at just how well our students do and this year is no exception,” said Yavneh head Spencer Lewis.

JCoss in Barnet hailed another “impressive year” of A-level results, with 44 percent of grades at A* or A, and 76 percent at B or above.

A total of eight JCoss students will take up their place at Oxford or Cambridge this year, while one other will be going off to medical school.

JCoSS Headteacher Patrick Moriarty said students “leave as accomplished mensches, embodying the values of the school and the wider community, and ready to act as ambassadors for both as they step forward on the next phase of their journey.”

Meanwhile, 48 percent of grades attained by Hasmonean boys were A* or A, compared with 45 percent for girls. The Orthodox school in Barnet also reported 67 percent of grades at A* to B for both boys and girls.

Rabbi Jeremy Golker described the results as “all the more impressive given the amount of time our students dedicate to Torah learning, Chesed projects and youth leadership.”

King Solomon High School in Barkingdale said students excelled in religious studies, all registering an A* to C grade, Spanish, with 83 percent of A* to C grades, and Art, with 81 percent of A* to C grades.

Pupils gained places at institutions including Queen Mary University, Birmingham University and the University of East Anglia.

Among them, Emma Hawkins received a set of three A grades.

Headteacher Hannele Reece said: “We are delighted for all our students, and we wish them well as they take their next steps, we are incredibly proud of all our students.”

At Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School in Elstree, 76 of all grades were A* or A. Another 44 percent of grades were A*.

Rabbi David Meyer, executive director of PaJeS, said: “These results are even more impressive given the drop in higher grades nationally, with the lowest proportion of A-A* grades in over a decade.

“Congratulations must go to the students, parents, the schools’ senior leadership teams and the staff, all of whom have worked so hard to achieve these outstanding results.”