School 21 is celebrating a “brilliant” first set of GCSE results, smashing the national average.
The school, based in Stratford, was founded in 2012 to provide pupils with a broad curriculum, focusing on character and creativity as well as academics.
However the school says this is “just a starting point” and they hope they can continue to improve.
Iftekhar Chowdhury got a 9 in maths, the top mark under the new system, which is attained by two per cent of pupils.
He also got an A* in drama with an impressive 100 pc score, as well as a whole host of other impressive grades.
He said: “I’m really happy and surprised by my results - I didn’t expect to do this well.
“The school have helped a lot and I’m grateful to them. I’m looking forward to starting A-levels and I want to end up doing something maths related.”
Another high-flyer, Laura Kristapaite, got all 9s, 8s, A*s and As.
She said: “The school have been brilliant and they are the reason I got these grades.”
Laura also thinks being in Newham, where pupils outperform the national average, has a positive impact on schooling.
She added: “When everyone around you is doing well it makes you want to do better yourself, and I think that benefits us all.”
Headteacher and co-founder Oli de Botton said: “These results show it is possible to combine success on the basics of English and maths, a rigorous academic education, as well as the chance for students to flourish and become creative, confident citizens.
“We are proud of our pioneering staff and exceptional students. In the spirit of School 21 we will reflect on these results, learn from them, and try to do even better next year.”
Executive headteacher and school co-founder Peter Hyman said: “We are so proud of what the students have achieved in their five years since the school opened - they are well-rounded and confident young people who have made a real difference to the community.
“These GCSE results show all the thinking, the hard work and the creativity has translated into great academic results.”
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