Dubai:

Schools that follow the British curriculum across the UAE reported good performances by their students in the IGCSE/GCSE examination, which were announced on Thursday.

Students from GEMS International British Curriculum Schools across the UAE reportedly outperformed their counterparts in England once again in the results.

Fiona Cottam, Senior Vice President — Schools, GEMS Education, was delighted with this year’s results.

“Once again, our commitment to delivering the highest quality of education is clearly evidenced in these results with 42.1 per cent of all grades at A* or A across the GEMS network, an increase of 2 per cent from last year. Our students are now prepared for the next stage of their journey through life,” she said.

GEMS reported outstanding performances from individual students at Wellington International School where Isbah Bandeali and Ivan Serdyuk achieved nine A*s and two A’s, and from Jumeirah College, Imran Majid with 10 A*s and one A grade and Rebecca Ludden with 9 A*s and 2 A’s. GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis witnessed exceptional performances from students with Munira Rajkotwalla gaining 10 A*’s and one A and Jameela Nagri achieving nine A*’s and one A grade.

Another GEMS student that excelled in the GCSE examination was Shuja Amir Yaqub who got A* on all of the 12 subjects he was examined on.

Al Yasmina and Al Bateen schools, both part of Aldar Academies and located in Abu Dhabi also reported exceptional performance by their students.

The pass rate across Aldar Academies for all I/GCSE examinations was 97 per cent.

Aldar Academies I/GCSE students achieved an outstanding A*/A grade in around half of the examinations taken, with 42 per cent.

Two of Aldar Academies’ highest performing year 11 students this year were Emirati — Sarah Alzaabi from Al Bateen Secondary School and Haya Al Ameri from Al Yasmina School. Sarah achieved 11 A*/A marks, in Biology Chemistry, English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Arabic, Design Technology, and Geography. Haya received 11 A* grades.

Sixteen-year-old Sara advised students to practice using previous papers and referencing the mark scheme of exams.

“You might know the answer, but lose points because you did not answer it in the required style, so I advise students to look at the past exams and mark schemes.

Sara who wants to study medicine once she graduates, took biology, physics, chemistry, geography, design technology resist material, English English Literature and Math were she got four A* and A’s.

Sara said the biggest challenge she faced was studying all the content.

Peter Carpenter, Director of Education for Aldar Academies said: “Across academies we have seen around a 10 per cent increase in the number of students achieving five A* to C, including in English and Mathematics. Also, to have A and A* results in around half of all examination entries is a testament to the hard work of all our students and staff, and the excellent partnership we enjoy with parents.”