GCSE results in Islington have improved once again, with almost 74 per cent of students who took the exams gaining five or more passes at grades A* to C. This compares to 65.3 per cent last year and 49.3 per cent in 2007 – a rapid improvement for Islingto

GCSE results in Islington have improved once again, with almost 74 per cent of students who took the exams gaining five or more passes at grades A* to C.

This compares to 65.3 per cent last year and 49.3 per cent in 2007 - a rapid improvement for Islington of 25.7 per cent in just three years.

Half the pupils received five or more A* to C grades including English and mathematics - a five per cent increase on 2009.

Councillor Catherine West, Labour leader of Islington Council, said: "Congratulations to all the staff and students in Islington who have worked so hard and helped to improve the borough's GCSE results yet again.

"To have reached 74 per cent for five or more good GCSE passes is a fantastic achievement and shows the journey of improvement for Islington schools is continuing.

"It was great to be among some of the students on results day who were so excited about their future plans and are leaving our secondary schools well equipped for continuing their education and starting careers."

Pupils were in a celebratory mood and looking to their bright futures

Beni Ngwamh, head boy at St Aloysius' College, in Archway, achieved all A*s and As in his GCSEs and is going on to study maths, physics, chemistry and French at A-level.

He said: "I had a lot of dreams last night with different outcomes, some good, and some bad. My mum is really pleased and said she was going to roll out the red carpet for me."

At Highbury Grove, in Highbury, Michael Greene-Cordoba gained an A* and five As among his grades and has chosen to go on and study brick laying at college.

He said: "I want to learn a trade and it's a good place to start.

"Hopefully I'll be able to move on and learn other trades after that. I'm really pleased with my results and I've got to phone all my family in Ireland and let them know."

The high spirits continued at Central Foundation Boys School, in Finsbury, where Ibrahim Ahmed achieved five A*s, two As and a B and is planning to study A-levels in triple science and psychology.

He said: "I was feeling so nervous about my results but I exceeded my expectations in some subjects. My family want to see the results paper before they really believe it."

Nationally GCSE results rose for the 23rd year in a row.

PUPILS at the City of London Academy Islington were celebrating after GCSE results improved on last year.

The academy, which opened in 2008 in Prebend Street, Islington, saw 60 per cent of students achieve five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C - a nine per cent increase on last year.

A record number of students also passed achieving three or more A* and A grades and 43 per cent got A to C passes, including English and maths.

Ann Palmer, the principal of the academy, said: "Despite the disruption and challenges posed by the building works over the last couple of years, our students have continued to excel and have shown us all that they want to be successful.

"It is great to see what can be achieved, but we know there is more to come.