THE resilience of young people was highlighted by the head of Hassenbrook School in Stanford-le-Hope today (Thursday, 25 August) as she reflected on GCSE results announced this morning.

Principal Mrs Sally Feeney said: "Year 11 are a truly resilient cohort, and we are excited about their futures.

"We are extremely proud of the hard work and effort that they have put in to achieving their results and would of course like to thank pupils, parents and staff for their efforts in the most difficult of circumstances."

Despite the challenges of the last two years, year 11 Hassenbrook students have  celebrated some great GCSE results today with a third of the year group achieving more than expected progress, some by more than two grades.

This particular cohort have endured more than most, not only having experienced covid lockdowns and online learning, but they have been the victims of turbulence as the academy was in 'special measures' when they arrived in year 7 and have endured significant change over the last five years.

Despite all this, year 11s showed their determination to succeed with some pupils achieving some outstanding results and all pupils leaving with at least one GCSE.

The highest performing subjects were maths, art, health and social care, music and sport, with art and music achieving a 100% pass rate.

Jozef Urbanowski

Among the school's top performers is head boy Jozef Urbanowski from Chafford Hundred with four grade 9s, one grade 8, two grade 7s and one grade 6. He will now attend USP Palmers to do English literature, history and law. He said: "I didn't do too bad at all. 

"There were a couple of subjects where I think I could have done better and a couple where I have done better than expected.

"There was a little bit of pressure as head boy, there's always been a bit of rivalry with the top people in our year so probably more pressure there too. I'm going to Palmers College next year with the end goal to do a degree apprenticeship in law – hopefully, fingers crossed, all the way to barrister."

Sofia Satkovskaja from Chadwell St Mary with one grade 9 (Distinction), two grade 8s, 3 grade 7s and one grade 6 is also to attend USP Palmers to do business, law and English.

Joseph Arowoselu with one distinction, four grade 7s, two grade 6s, and a grade 5 is taking a different route. He's off to the soccer academy attached to Aveley FC to study and hopefully hopefully kick off his football career.

Zain Iman will attend Harris Sixth form. Zain has achieved two grades above his predictions through hard work as recognised by his teachers. He said: "I want to get A levels, do more maths and dream job is to be an accountant." He added: "Mum and Dad will be really proud."

Lorraine Douglas from Tilbury with was another highly successful student and wants to go to Gravesend Grammar School and "hopefully end up doing medicine".

Molly Cuzen with achieved three distinctions in her results and will now move to Ortu Sixth form to do psychology, sport and exercise science. On the morning of the results she said: "I haven't eaten breakfast yet, I was too nervous!" Proud mum Beverley accompanied her daughter and said that due to a broken foot and covid, Molly has only attended school for a year and therefore was very proud of her results.

Pupils with the highest progress were Jonathan Onafuye with +2.28, Zain Iman with +2.18, Jessica Clarke with +1.63, and Yuna Chatterton with +1.36. 32% of the year group made above expected progress.