Lewisham and Greenwich A-Level students beat national average (From News Shopper)

Lewisham and Greenwich A-Level students beat national average

12:01pm Friday 17th August 2012 in Greenwich news By Mark Chandler

STUDENTS from Lewisham and Greenwich saw improved A-Level grades this year, beating the national average.

Greenwich Council says 67 per cent of pupils achieved A* to C grades with an overall pass rate of 98.4 per cent - up 0.6 per cent on last year.

And the success was matched in Lewisham where the council reported a 98.2 per cent pass rate, representing a slight improvement on last year. The national average pass rate for 2012 was 98 per cent.

Pupils at Prendergast Hillyfields College did particularly well, with every pupil passing their exams. They included Lawrence Okoti-Odidu, 18, who gained three A*s, including a perfect score of 100 per cent in mathematics, securing him a place at Oxford.

He said: "I am incredibly proud. The teachers were very encouraging because they believe in you and want the best for you."

Sydenham School also reported a 100 per cent pass rate, including Rachel Ackred, 18, who bagged two As and a B before joining the London School of Economics.

She said: "I’ve come from a less advantaged background so I want to make the most of all the opportunities that are given to me. This is definitely one of them."

At Crown Woods the pass rate was 99 per cent, with 71 per cent A* to C grades while teens at nearby Blackheath Bluecoat, facing closure by the council, achieved a 42 per cent pass rate at grades A* to C.

Plumstead Manor had a 100 per cent pass rate, while at Thomas Tallis it was 99, with 83 per cent A* to C grades.

Standout performances at Thomas Tallis included future Oxford student Ellen Gibson who got  three A* grades and an A.

Meanwhile, at Sydenham High School and St Dunstan's College, A* or A grades made up nearly half the results.