University and Apprenticeship Successes!

We are delighted to report the outstanding achievements of our pupils in their A Level and vocational qualifications this summer. Despite the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, pupils have achieved excellent grades and secured first class university, apprenticeship and employment destinations.


Over 125 students have accepted university places at a range of first class institutions across the United Kingdom. A record number of students will be going to study at Russell Group universities with particularly high numbers progressing to prestigious London universities such as Imperial College, King’s College, UCL and Queen Mary University. Students are going on to study a wide range of degree courses, from Mathematics and Chemistry to Drama and English Literature and Politics and International Relations.



We are delighted that students continue to secure places on the most competitive courses, with two students going on to study Medicine and a number of students securing scholarships as a result of their excellent achievements. An increasing number of students have been successful in pursuing highly-prized degree apprenticeship opportunities, including at top city firms like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan.


Imran is going to study Electronic Engineering at Kings College London. He said: “I am ecstatic about going to Kings. Its been a hard two years and I’m so proud of everyone else”. Matthew  is off to Exeter to study Mathematics and he said:  “I’m really happy with the results. I had not realised I would have done so well considering the troubles we have all had over the past two years. The school has dealt with everything so well”


Headteacher Russell Taylor said “despite the significant challenges they have faced, through their hard work, commitment and perseverance our students have secured excellent destinations. We are incredibly proud of them! I’d also like to pay tribute to our fantastic teachers who have been magnificent in supporting our students in pursuit of their ambitions and dreams.”


This year, following the cancellation of exams, grades were awarded through a process of teacher assessed grades, against a national standard and approved and awarded by the exam boards. The government is not publishing performance data for any schools or colleges this year due to the varying impact of the pandemic.


Rumaysa and Aeesha are both off to study medicine and despite an exciting day they still wanted to give advice to students who are continuing to study.


Rumaysa achieved straight A* grades and will be studying  at Imperial College London. She wanted to share this advice: “I was so glad I achieved the outcome I have worked so hard for. My ambition is to become a surgeon and I can’t wait to start my journey at Imperial College! My advice to those of you still studying: keep working hard as your success will only come to you after perseverance.”


Aeesha is considering taking a gap year volunteering before taking up her medicine place next year: “I was in disbelief, all my sleepless nights and revision had paid off. I’m aspiring to become a gynaecologist and volunteer in Singapore in an orphanage this year. To those of you who are still working on your GCSES or A-Levels just remember that not everyone’s path is the same and you should always keep focussed on your goal and you will achieve it”

By Nick Power June 17, 2026
As another successful year of Art Club comes to an end, I would like to thank all the pupils who have attended sessions and contributed so enthusiastically throughout the year. Your creativity, commitment, and willingness to try new ideas have made Art Club a wonderful place to learn and create together. This term, pupils have been working on artwork inspired by the theme "Under the Sea" in honour of Sir David Attenborough' 100th birthday. The imaginative and colourful pieces they have produced are a testament to their hard work and artistic talent. It has been a pleasure to see their confidence grow as they explored different techniques and developed their own creative styles. I am incredibly proud of everything the pupils have achieved and look forward to showcasing their work in our exhibition on 8th July, Drama Studio, Gosfield Site . Thank you to everyone who has taken part and helped make Art Club such an enjoyable and successful part of the school year.
By Nick Power June 16, 2026
We were delighted to welcome back former student Mariah, who left Robert Clack in 2018, to deliver an engaging career talk on architecture. The session, attended by students in Years 9 and 10, provided a valuable insight into both the academic and professional pathways within the field. Mariah explained her journey into architecture, including the stages of qualification, and shared that she is now Part 2 qualified, currently working as an Architectural Assistant while studying towards her Part 3 qualification. A key highlight of the talk was Mariah’s focus on the importance of building a strong portfolio during Sixth Form. She shared examples of her own work, giving students a clear understanding of how creative ideas are developed and presented. This practical insight helped students to appreciate the level of commitment, creativity and organisation required to succeed in the profession. Students were highly engaged throughout and Mariah encouraged them to make the most of their current studies, explore their interests early, and begin thinking about future pathways. We are extremely grateful to Mariah for returning to support and inspire our students. Opportunities like this play a vital role in broadening horizons and helping young people make informed decisions about their futures.
By Nick Power June 14, 2026
These Year 9 students have been part of the Vision and Voices Oracy Project, delivered in partnership with the National Gallery and the University of Cambridge, for the past three years. This week marked their final visit to the National Gallery, where each student stood in front of a chosen artwork and delivered a speech explaining why it should be included in the Robert Clack curriculum. Every student spoke with remarkable confidence, articulated their ideas thoughtfully, and engaged their audience throughout their presentations. Their speeches were so compelling that members of the public and National Gallery staff stopped to listen, with many rewarding them with well-deserved rounds of applause. The students were absolutely outstanding and should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved. Their dedication, growth, and commitment over the past three years have been truly inspiring. To celebrate the successful completion of the project, students have been invited to a graduation evening at the National Gallery on 3rd July, where they will be able to share this special achievement with their family and friends.
By mhooper June 8, 2026
Dr Niki Kalaydzhieva, a lecturer in Pure Mathematics at UCL, delivered a series of engaging workshops for Year 10 pupils, with 104 students attending across the sessions. Pupils were introduced to the mathematical card game SET, through which they explored key concepts including finite geometry, modular arithmetic, and projective geometry, while developing their problem-solving skills. The workshops, tailored for top-set pupils, were highly engaging and encouraged curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
By mhooper June 4, 2026
We were delighted to welcome back former student Elona Morina, who returned to Robert Clack to share her journey into law via Teams. After leaving in 2017, Elona studied A Levels at Havering Sixth Form College before going on to Brunel University to study Law, including a placement year in a law firm. She is now completing a training contract in criminal law near London Bridge and is close to fully qualifying. Elona spoke honestly about overcoming challenges at school, encouraging students to work hard, take opportunities, and build confidence. She also highlighted the importance of key skills such as communication, organisation and initiative, as well as exploring different routes into legal careers. Students found her talk inspiring and relatable, with one commenting, “Elona was so relatable – it was really interesting.” Thank you, Elona, for giving back and inspiring the next generation.
By npower May 22, 2026
Our pupils recently enjoyed an exciting and enriching trip to LEGOLAND Windsor Resort as part of their involvement in Lego Club. Throughout the visit, the pupils represented the school exceptionally well, demonstrating exemplary behaviour, enthusiasm, and maturity at all times. A special thank you goes to Mr Van Gelder and Miss Day for accompanying the trip and supporting the pupils throughout the day. Their dedication and encouragement played a significant role in making the experience both memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved. During the visit, pupils also participated in the engaging ‘LEGO, Camera, Action!’ workshop, where they collaborated creatively in teams to produce their own LEGO film. This hands-on experience allowed pupils to develop their imagination, communication, teamwork, and storytelling skills in a fun and inspiring environment. Congratulations to all the pupils involved for being outstanding ambassadors for the school and for embracing every opportunity with such positivity and enthusiasm.  Miss A Yasin (Head of Year 8)
By npower May 22, 2026
Our Year 7 and Year 8 pupils had an exciting and adventurous trip to PGL Grosvenor Hall last term. 105 pupils from all three sites, stayed at Grosvenor Hall for 2 nights in March, where they participated in a range of challenging activities, including abseiling, rock climbing, fencing and raft building. Throughout the trip, their behaviour was outstanding, and they truly embodied the values of our school, acting as excellent ambassadors. All pupils had a fantastic time, showing incredible bravery and determination when it came to overcoming their fears. With every obstacle faced, pupils showed resilience and perseverance, a great example of our school values. Pupils continued to support one another, cheering each other on and offering encouragement at every step. This trip is always a fantastic trip where pupils truly use this opportunity to build positive relationships, resilience to difficult situations, and excellent teamwork skills. We couldn’t be prouder of the outstanding behaviour of our Year 7’s and Year 8’s. A massive thank you to the 10 members of staff that gave up their time for the trip and offered their support throughout.
By npower May 22, 2026
Dr Niki Kalaydzhieva , a lecturer at UCL specialising in pure maths, conducted a Game, SET, Maths workshop, where pupils learned how to play a game called SET. This game enhances pupils' understanding of finite geometry, modular arithmetic and projective geometry through an interactive problem-solving card game. Here is a video of the game: ( How to Play Set (Math Card Game)  It was fantastic to see students engaged by the workshop and interacting with each other to master the card game.
By npower May 21, 2026
The Year 7 and 8 students have been developing their practical cooking skills, teamwork and confidence through our after-school Cooking Club at Green Lane. This term, students successfully made delicious cinnamon rolls and cheese and onion plaits, demonstrating excellent creativity, food preparation skills and attention to hygiene and safety. It has been fantastic to see students becoming more independent in the kitchen while learning new techniques and enjoying a positive hands-on cooking experience. 
By npower May 21, 2026
PGL Netball Tour 2026 During the 24th–26th April, 17 students from Years 8 and 9 represented Robert Clack School at the PGL Netball Tournament, competing against schools from across the country. Alongside the tournament, students also had the opportunity to take part in a range of exciting activities including axe throwing, rock climbing, giant swing, archery and the leap of faith. The Year 8 team performed brilliantly, winning 3 out of their 6 matches and narrowly missing out on a place in the semi-finals. The Year 9 team worked incredibly hard throughout the competition, showing determination and resilience right to the very end. Their efforts paid off as they won the final 3–2 against Sandon Wood, becoming PGL Netball Tournament Champions 2026. All of the girls were a pleasure to take away, remaining professional, well behaved and consistently upholding the values of Robert Clack School throughout the trip. Massive congratulations to the Year 9 girls on being crowned PGL Netball Tournament Winners 2026 — a fantastic achievement and one the school is extremely proud of. Miss Robbins & Miss Shelley