Islington students celebrate success in their A Level, vocational and technical courses on results day

The Mayor of Islington and the council’s senior leaders joined students celebrating their extraordinary achievements in A Level, vocational, and technical courses today as they received their exam results.

It was another strong year of performances across the borough’s secondary schools and colleges, with provisional results received so far from schools improving on last year, including a 4.7 per cent rise in A*-C grades.

The Mayor of Islington, Cllr Jason Jackson, visited St Aloysius’ College with Council Leader Cllr Una O’Halloran to personally congratulate students. Cllr Michelline Safi-Ngongo, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families, was at Capital City College Group’s (CCCG’s) Angel campus, speaking to students as they collected their results.

Among the celebrating CCCG students was Andreea who is heading to University College London after achieving three A*s in maths, further maths and computer science. Andreea said the last 24 hours had been “stressful, with a lot of tears,” adding: “But we got there in the end, so it doesn’t matter!”

Fellow student Keightley took home an A in business and Bs in history and economics and is heading to Queen Mary University of London – but is already looking ahead to a Masters degree and a possible career in government or working with an ambassador. She checked her university offer while she was on the Tube to college, celebrating with a mini fist-pump. Offering advice for next year’s students, she said: “It’s quite obvious but you need to start as soon as possible, just do a little bit a day and that will build up and you’ll remember those things, and then you won’t be stressing out like the rest of us!”

Dragos is off to Durham University to study accounting and finance after getting an A* in business, A in economics, B in statistics and an A* in his extended project.

He said: “I came in a bit stressed but seeing my results I’m quite happy now. The college and the teachers have been amazing. Every time you needed extra help they were here and ready to help you – during lunchtimes, after school and in the mornings, so it’s been really great.”

St Aloysius’ College student Adam achieved a D*D*D in business BTEC and will be taking accounting and finance at Durham University. He said to his fellow students: “Your grades are important to get into uni, but there’s factors other than grades. I would advise them to pick a career they will actually be passionate about, because it’ll be 100 times easier to actually succeed.”

His classmate Joshua is dreaming of a career in videogame art after landing two B grades. He said: “[When I opened my results] I called my mum immediately and sent her a gif... she was very proud!” His advice for next year's students? “Don't give up, there's always a time when you think you can't do this, but if you just keep doing it then it will pay off.”

Solomon came away with a triple D* in business BTEC, which made his parents “ecstatic”, he said. He’s now looking at taking accounting and finance at Lancaster or Exeter. “The teachers really helped us,” he said. “Sometimes exams can be stressful but… with the right help, you’ll be able to do it.”

Following the visits, Mayor Cllr Jackson said: “It was an absolute pleasure meeting the students at St Aloysius’ College today and reflecting with them on their individual achievements and the challenges they overcame – as well as sharing in the optimism for the bright futures that lay ahead. Congratulations to every student who received their results today!”

Cllr O’Halloran said: “I always enjoy connecting with the students on results day and celebrating with them. The dedication and ambition of our students is second to none, and I’m extremely proud of our high-achieving schools, which wouldn’t be possible without the brilliant supportive network of teachers, parents, and others.

“It’s our mission to help every child and young person thrive and be the best they can be, and days like today are incredibly rewarding as I see that ambition become reality.”

Cllr Safi-Ngongo said: “I was delighted to join students celebrating their achievements today. The last two years will have thrown up all sorts of challenges for our young people and I’m incredibly proud of every one of them.

“Results day is also a time for them to think about the next steps in their lives. There is more than one path to success, and our Progress Team of careers advisors are on hand for anyone who’d like to find out what their options are, including job opportunities and further training. With these results under their belt, I look forward to finding out what our brilliant students go on to achieve.”

All students are welcome to contact the council's Progress Team of friendly career advisors, who can provide essential support, advice, and information. They can assist with securing places at college, training courses, or job opportunities. Contact the Progress Team throughout the summer and into September at progress@islington.gov.uk or on 020 7527 7031.

Notes to editor

Provisional A Level results received so far today from schools show continued improvement across all key grade thresholds compared to August 2024:

• - A*-A grades: up by 0.2 per cent
• - A*-B grades: up by 3.6 per cent
• - A*-C grades: up by 4.7 per cent
• - A*-E grades: up by 2.1 per cent