18/08/2015
OUTSTANDING A LEVEL RESULTS - In a year that saw the size of the cohort in Year 13 rise by 25% at Rivers Academy, in Feltham, the percentage of students gaining three or more A*-B grades has seen a 69% increase.
The proportion securing three or more A levels has also seen a 23% proportionate increase.
So, the sixth form is larger than ever and producing its best results ever.
A*-E percentage at A-level is 6% higher than last year and the percentage of students securing three A-levels has risen from 75% to 92% in just one year.
In addition, the percentage of students securing three A-levels is at 99%.
Matthew Meades, who represented Rivers Academy at NASA space centres in Houston and Florida in October 2014, secured an A* in maths and A grades in further maths, physics and chemistry.
Abdullahi Nur secured an A* in maths and A grades in physics, chemistry and history.
Maryan Salad secured an A* in citizenship and B grades in maths and sociology.
At AS-level, A*-E percentage is the highest ever at 92% - a 37% increase on the results in 2010.
A and A* percentage is double that of last year.
Executive principal Paula Kenning said: "In a year that saw the largest ever cohorts of students studying A-levels at Rivers Academy in the school’s 80-year history, we are delighted by the fantastic achievements of all of our young people. They have secured some of the best ever results in the history of the school and will go on to secure places in some of the most prestigious universities, apprenticeships and workplaces.
"On behalf of all the staff and governors of the academy we wish them well in the next exciting phase of their journey."
With a vision to work for NASA,
Matthew Meades, of Feltham, received outstanding A-level results for Rivers Academy.
The 18-year-old will be getting some hands-on engineering experience at Delphi Diesel Systems, in Gloucestershire, through a year in industry course, where he will spend nine months working alongside a team of specialists that develop diesel fuel injectors and work to make diesel more efficient.
He said: "I went on the NASA trip last year and that's when I realised that is where I want to be.
"Our last night in Texas we had dinner with an astronaut who had been at the International Space Station for six months at a time and speaking to him and hearing what he's done in his life was the best bit.
"Ultimately I want to end up at NASA or a commercial space company like Virgin Galactic.
Matthew will be applying to universities next year for a place on an aerospace engineering or aeronautical engineering course for 2016 and his choices include Cambridge University, Imperial College, Durham University, UCL and Manchester.
Another great result from Rivers Academy's Luena Amaral, who achieved three As in English literature, philosophy and ethics, and psychology.
The 18-year-old, from Bedfont, wasn't feeling confident coming into the results hall but, after making a friend open the white envelope, was thrilled to be proved wrong.
She is preparing to go to her first-choice university - Kent University - where she hopes to change from her original course of English & American Literature to Social Policy & Sociology.
She said: "I am happy and excited for the next stage as it is going to be something new."
"I realised that I fell out of touch with English and realised the thing I always enjoyed doing was debating and making a change to people's lives, so makes sense to change course.
"I am looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends who come from different areas and backgrounds to me."
A nervous Maryan Salad arrived into the results hall to open up her results of A*, A and B which has secured her a place on an Early Years Teaching course at the University of Sussex.
The 18-year-old said: "I was really surprised - I wasn't expecting this at all.
"Teaching is something I have always wanted to do.
"I have always looked after children and have a part time job working at a children's tuition centre and enjoy it so much, so I thought I would go down that route.
"I am looking forward to independence and a new start."
Maryan will spend three years at university and hopes to go into primary school teaching.
Another top performing student at Rivers Academy was thrilled with his A level results.
Abdullahi Nur, 18, of Heston, opened his white envelope to reveal an A* in maths and three As in chemistry, physics and history.
He got into his second-choice university, at Imperial College London, where he will study electrical engineering over four years with a six-month placement.
He said: "It has been quite a jump from AS, which I found I could easily get into.
"The final year was different and I didn't achieve my target grade until late April.
"The teachers have been really great and very supportive."
Written by Amy De Keyzer, Get West London.
