Exam success for academy pupils

The school recorded a 95 per cent pass rate, with 75 per cent of pupils gaining grades A to C.

Principal Smita Bora expressed total admiration and gratitude for the hard work put in by the academy's students and staff over the last year.

Jeremy Witts, new chairman of governors, added: "The governors are delighted with our pupils' successes, which reflect their hard work and determination to succeed as well as the excellent teaching and support they have received from our dedicated staff."

One success story at the school is Zackeria Benserghin, who achieved a B and two C grades, and has now been accepted by his first choice university St Mary's University College, in Twickenham, to study primary education.

Zackeria is passionate about becoming a teacher, after noting that there is a real need for male teachers from diverse backgrounds in London schools and felt his own education lacked such role models.

Once he obtains his degree, he hopes to start teaching abroad, possibly in South America.

He said: "There are many inspirational teachers at Westminster Academy, and the small class sizes really helped me get the support I needed to achieve."

Similar success was noted at Paddington Academy, in Marylands Road, North Paddington, where 108 pupils received their A Level results yesterday, which is double the number from last year.

Of these students, 94.4% picked up grades A to E.

This year also saw an increase in the number of subjects being offered to the academy's pupils.

Paddington Academy's principal Oli Tomlinson said: "We're really pleased with these results.

"The Sixth Form students have worked hard for the past two years and I am delighted that so many have gained the grades they were hoping for.

"This group of students were a very special year group as they were our first Year 11s and have made an enormous contribution to the academy in its first three years.

"They have been positive, dedicated and enthusiastic from the start. I wish them the very best of luck at university and in their future careers.

"I am particularly pleased that so many students stayed on at the academy to complete their A levels.

"I very much hope these results will encourage our younger students to continue their studies at the academy's Sixth Form which is going from strength to strength."

For more on A Level results from schools across Westminster, see the Paddington, Marylebone and Pimlico Mercury which comes out on August 27.