Isaac Newton Academy celebrated a landmark occasion today as pupils from the first ever cohort collected their GCSE results.
The school, in Ilford, saw 80 per cent of its students achieve 5 or more grades 9-4/A*-C including English and maths.
Despite the uncertainties faced by the school due to the new more rigorous exams as part of a shakeup, students fared extremely well.
Top scoring student Halema Anjum achieved top numerical grades 9 in English literature, language and maths and an impressive 6 A*s in triple science, geography, drama and Spanish.
The 16-year-old who lives in Seven Kings is passionate about music and has played her trumpet at many famous music venues, including the Barbican.
The visibly overwhelmed teenager credited her teachers who pushed her when she didn’t believe in herself.
She said: “Everyone here always told me that I could do it.
“Most of the time I didn’t believe it but they kept me going.
“I didn’t expect this at all.”
Further celebrations were in order for Rio Hoque Rashid, 16, who achieved 7 A*s, 7 in English Literature and Language and a 9 in maths.
She moved to Ilford two years earlier from Madrid and was delighted by her results which she admitted had taken a lot of hard work.
She said: “I started at this school in year 10 and it was really difficult at first.
“This took a lot of hard work. I’m so pleased.”
Congratulations were also extended to Shanzeh Haroon, 16, whose emotional father Haroon Sultan joined her in the school courtyard.
The dad-of-two has worked at the school as a supervisor since Shanzeh joined year seven in 2012 and said he was “over the moon” by the good news.
The jubilant 16-year-old who scored a 9 in English literature and language, 8 in maths, 4A*s and 2 A, hopes to be a paediatric ophthalmologist.
She said: “I am overwhelmed. I really wasn’t expecting such high grades.”
“I feel like the school has really helped me grow and develop as a person, academically and personally as well.”
Principal Rachel Macfarlane said: “I am thrilled that the founding students at INA have achieved such stunning GCSE results.
“They have worked phenomenally hard, as have their teachers and all the staff at the school.
“These results show what can be achieved through a positive mind-set, fantastic teaching, a great work ethic, great resources and a strong partnership between the school and its families.
“We look forward to seeing many of these students achieve even more spectacular outcomes in our sixth form and then at university.”
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