Stratford sixth form celebrates 22 students receiving Oxbridge offers

Year 13s at the London Academy of Excellence (LAE) have seen offers to study at either Oxford or Cambridge, with 22 set to go to one of the prestigious universities should they achieve the grades.

These include Mirana Kqiku, who has been offered a place to study modern languages at Girton College, Oxford, and Reluca Popan, who has a place to study history and modern languages at Homerton College, Cambridge.

Both speak English as their second language and will become the first in their families to go to university.

Also among the Oxbridge hopefuls are Nasar Siddiqui, who could be heading to Girton College alongside Mirana after receiving an offer to study veterinary science, and Louis Baxter, who has been offered a place on the history course at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

All four students studied at secondary schools in Newham before joining LAE, in Stratford High Street, for their A-levels.

The record-breaking number of Oxbridge offers for the sixth form surpasses last year’s total of 20.

Headteacher Scott Baker said: “We are absolutely thrilled with what our students have achieved, and it is testament to the great work taking place across Newham to prepare young people for successful futures.

“As a Newham school, it is particularly gratifying to see so many Newham students among the offer holders.

“LAE’s students have once again shown that with hard work, the aspiration to succeed, excellent teaching and the right support and guidance, there really are no limits on what young people can achieve, irrespective of their gender, ethnicity or background.”

The sixth form, which offers subjects commonly required or preferred by universities, opened in 2012 and is partnered with six public schools, including Brighton College, Eton and Caterham.

Since then, it has built such a strong reputation that there are 10 applications for every place - at least half of which go to students from Newham.