GCSE success at Highgate Hill as students aim high and aspire to join ICS
Published: Thu 21 August 2025Students at City of London Academy Highgate Hill celebrate receiving their GCSE results today as they aspire to secure a place in their new, high-achieving sixth form. Following just its second cohort of A level successes last week, many students are seeing their hard work and dedication pay off, gaining the GCSE grades they need to continue their journey at the ‘Outstanding’ sixth form.
One such student is Jumana Aktar, who will be progressing to Islington Sixth Form (ICS) to study Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and English Literature. Inspired by her teachers’ passion for their subjects, Jumana is determined to follow her ambition of studying Psychology at university and has her sights set on Cambridge University. She is particularly excited to make the most of ICS’s super curriculum opportunities, expert lectures and workshops, which she hopes will strengthen her personal statement and prepare her for the future.
As Highgate Hill students take their next steps into the new sixth form, Principal, Prince Gennuh, of the ‘Outstanding’ sixth form at City of London Academy Highgate Hill, said:
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see students who joined us in Year 7 now going on to Cambridge and other top universities. Many of our students come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and our vision has always been to support their aspirations and social mobility. At Highgate Hill, we provide the strong academic foundation and wellbeing support that enable our students to thrive, and it’s wonderful to see them now taking the next step at ICS to achieve their ambitions.”
Reflecting on a year of exceptional outcomes and academy improvement, Chief Executive of City of London Academies Trust, Mark Emmerson, said:
“Congratulations to our students on their hard-earned results. Their individual achievements are a true cause for celebration and cap a brilliant year for City of London Academies Trust. A year in which all four Ofsted inspections ranked ‘Outstanding’ with excellent academic progress across all our academies. Thank you to our dedicated staff whose hard work makes days like these so rewarding for everyone involved.”
Catherine McGuinness, Chair of City of London Academies Trust, said:
“I want to congratulate our pupils on their results. These achievements reflect your hard work, resilience, and ambition – and we are very proud of you. I also want to recognise the vital role of our sponsor, the City of London Corporation. Its unwavering commitment to education helps our academies deliver excellence across London.
But the Trust’s mission goes beyond qualifications. We’re raising aspirations, opening doors, and creating real opportunities for the future. Social mobility is at the heart of everything we do – and with the City Corporation’s support, we’re building a future where every young Londoner can thrive.”
City of London Academies Trust is committed to growing its offer across the capital, supporting more primary, secondary and sixth form age young Londoners with exceptional, often life-changing, educational experiences.