UCS joy at exceptional GCSE results

Year 11 pupils at UCS Hampstead are celebrating exceptional GCSE results today, with Headmaster, Mark Beard, praising both their determination and the charitable initiatives they performed during the lockdowns.

A delighted Mr Beard said: “These pupils should be proud of their results. Like all 16-year-olds nationwide, they had to deal with unprecedented circumstances these past 18 months. We were fortunate to be able to teach a full timetable online during the lockdowns but what stood out was how our school community drew closer. I was seriously impressed by the pupils’ charitable and educational endeavours. I also congratulate our hardworking staff, support and teaching, for making these successes possible.”

Xavi Mesquita, who scored six 9s and three 8s at GCSE and will study History, Music, Politics and English A Levels, has led several foodbank collections at UCS and volunteered at Kentish Town Food Bank throughout the lockdowns.

Other Year 11s ran a weekly online Maths mentoring group for local primary school pupils during the spring lockdown. This year group also helped drive the UCS Green Impact Society’s efforts to improve the school’s sustainability in areas like transport, biodiversity and energy. Two other pupils, Charlie Gordon – who joined UCS aged 7 – and Jonah Howe, started a popular History podcast.

Hector Hills, recipient of straight 9 grades and an A in Additional Maths, said: “Virtual learning was difficult but made immensely easier by the organisation and help of the school.” This cohort will be joined by 60 girls in UCS’s co-educational Sixth Form.