Despite the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, students from Ark Putney Academy in Wandsworth are celebrating some outstanding university destinations this year, alongside a record number of scholarship funding for their Year 13 students.  

Amera has been living independently and supporting herself with part-time work throughout her studies. She is off to study Environmental Anthropology at University of Sussex in September and achieved A*AB result. Investment Management firm, Aurum, have awarded her their Environmental and Social Scholarship of £50,000. In addition to her tuition and maintenance fees, the scholarship will provide Amera with mentoring across her three-year degree and paid work experience placements to help boost her graduate prospects. Amera won one of the only two prestigious £50,000 bursaries available across the Ark network.  

Amera says “As soon as I found out I burst into tears. My teachers really advocate for me and were constantly helping me to find and apply for opportunities to help me on my pathway. Things have been really difficult for me over the last few years, and so this bursary is completely life changing - not just financially, but the paid work placements and mentoring support will be great. Long term I want to work with the UN, focusing on how climate change affects ethnic minorities and helping less able countries to combat global warming. I can't wait to start my journey.” 

Amera Badawy collecting her results. 

Leyla Ibrahim, is a £9k Marshall Wace scholarship winner, achieving ABB grades. “I am extremely grateful for this, and I honestly couldn't have done it without my teachers. My degree in Sociology at UCL will take me into humanitarian aid and development work and this financial support means that an entire year of my tuition fees is covered. Thank you so much!” 

Leyla Ibrahim is off to UCL in September to study Sociology. 

In addition to this Nour Sannoufa is a recipient of the £9k Marshall Wace scholarship and Carla Chavez Salazar wins the £3k scholarship.  

Nour Sannoufa is off to study Neuroscience at University of Sussex. 

Another story we are celebrating is that of Cooper Bolinius. This student came to the UK very late into Key Stage 4 and has demonstrated great resilience and academic excellence throughout his time at Ark Putney Academy. At GCSE results day he was one of the highest achieving students with 5 subjects at grade 9 (equiv. A*). Today we celebrate his results of A*A*A*AA in Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Spanish and Further Mathematics. He says “I arrived at school halfway through Year 10 and the APA community was very welcoming. My teachers were supportive and dedicated throughout my entire time at APA, right to the end of Sixth Form, including University prep. I am due to start my engineering degree at the University of Toronto next year and am currently completing some summer courses in preparation. I am really looking forward to the next chapter.” 

It is not just amazing university destinations celebrated today. Business student Melody Estriji has secured a degree apprenticeship with development group Berkeley Homes. Melody says, “I knew I wanted to continue my learning, but I also knew I wanted to do it in the workplace. The Building Futures programme allows me to cycle through different departments before I specialise and obtain my degree level qualification. I am really interested in surveying and project management, and I can’t wait to start!” 

Melody Estriji Collecting her results  

Ark Putney Academy Principal Alison Downey said:  

“I am so proud of our Year 13 students who have worked very hard and should be congratulated on their achievements. It’s fantastic seeing so many securing high grades and progressing to their university of choice. Our students have faced so much uncertainty since the pandemic started and throughout their sixth form experience, but their commitment to their education has never wavered.  

“I’d also like to give special thanks to the teaching and support staff who have been so dedicated to ensuring the school run smoothly, whether they were delivering lessons on site or online, providing pastoral care and everything else in between.” 

This year’s grades were based on what students have been taught, not what they missed. Teachers used a mix of evidence including mock exams, coursework and other work completed as part of their course, such as essays or in-class tests. In addition, exam boards provided optional sets of questions for teachers to use to help them gather evidence. 

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