GEMS Students, Parents and Teachers Celebrate Record-Breaking A-level Results

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – August 11, 2021:  GEMS Education students, parents and staff are today celebrating outstanding A-level results that surpass even last year’s record outcomes and which have been achieved despite the many challenges and disruptions of the past 12 months.

 

More than 980 pupils from 16 GEMS British curriculum schools in the UAE completed nearly 2,900 A-levels, with 38% of students achieving an A* grade. Across schools, over 50% of entries achieved A* to A grades, with 75% recording A* to B grades.

 

Dino Varkey, Group CEO, GEMS Education, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see GEMS students achieve, for the second year in a row, such outstanding, record-breaking A-level results. The entire GEMS community is incredibly proud of everything our students, teachers and schools have accomplished, especially at a time when in many parts of the world students have unfortunately struggled due to the difficulties of the pandemic. This year’s A-level results, which follow on from equally impressive IB, CBSE and ICSE results, are testament to the hard work, resilience and relentless pursuit of excellence of our teachers and the incredible young people in their care. Congratulations to all involved!”

 

Highlights include: 

• Jumeirah College Dubai, where over 50% of students achieved an A* grade, with 95% of entries at A* to B

• GEMS First Point School – The Villa, where 55% of students achieved an A* grade

• GEMS Westminster School – Sharjah, with 51% of entries at A* and 86% at A* to B

• Wesgreen International School – Sharjah, with 39% of entries at A* and 72% at A* to B

• GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail and GEMS Cambridge International School – Abu Dhabi, both with 78% of entries at A* to B

 

Matthew Tompkins, Principal/CEO, GEMS FirstPoint School – The Villa, said: “We are so proud of all our students and the results they have achieved. For the third year in a row, we have recorded record results and underlined the exceptional reputation of our Sixth Form. On behalf of all our students, I would like to thank all our GEMS FirstPoint parents and staff for their first-class support. Our Year 13 students now progress onto some of the top universities around the world, or direct into their chosen industries. They leave with the skills and confidence to excel on their elected pathways.”

 

Addressing his high-achieving students, Lachlan MacKinnon, Principal/CEO, GEMS Cambridge International School – Dubai, said: “You have made yourselves, your school and your families proud. Our biggest achievement at GEMS Cambridge International School – Dubai are our students; they are unique, they are with purpose, they are with optimism. Our students are masters of their education journey and have made extraordinary progress in these extraordinary times. Congratulations to all our toppers. Now go out into the world, show us what the future looks like, show us your contribution to the world, show us your confident humility, and flourish!”

 

Campbell Douglas, Principal/CEO, GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail, said: “Once again we are delighted with the exceptional A-level results our students have achieved this year. The hard work, commitment and dedication from both students and teachers alike have paid off in what has been an extremely challenging year. We are very proud of what our students have accomplished and look forward to their continuing success in their chosen pathways.”

 

This year, due to the ongoing pandemic, A-level students once again did not sit formal exams at the end of their two-year course, on which their grades are ordinarily based. Instead, teacher-assessed grades were once again used to determine students’ results.

 

Top–performing students across the GEMS network include:

• Atharv Pramod Naik from GEMS Cambridge International School – Dubai, who achieved straight A* grades in all five of his A-level subjects and is now heading to Imperial College London to study Engineering

• Mohamad M. Fakhri Alhakim from GEMS Our Own English High School – Al Ain, who achieved five A* grades and will be studying medicine in Turkey

• Yomna Mohamed from The Winchester School – Jebel Ali, who also achieved five A* grades and is now off to Imperial College London to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering

 

Atharv Pramod Naik said: “I’ve been at GEMS Cambridge International School – Dubai since Year 7, so that’s seven years now. I am really happy with my results; I got 5 A*s. It’s really been a joint effort from the teachers, the school and the extended GEMS family, and I’d really like to thank particularly my teachers over the last couple of years, the senior CIS management as well as the community that we’ve built over here – it’s really a wonderful place to be.

 

“Obviously 5A*s in five subjects is a bit rigorous. I took Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and I was studying Further Maths independently. The teachers were here to help me with any questions or concepts I didn’t really get the hang of, and over time it’s just a matter of compartmentalising your work and putting in a bit of commitment. Then everything falls into place.”

 

Mohamad M. Fakhri Alhakim said: “The euphoria following my A-level results is indescribable. The preparation for my exams, however, was no plain sailing. During the academic year, my classmates and I had a drastic curve in our learning environment, yet thanks to my family, teachers and school, those trying times were easier to endure. I have enormous academic plans moving forward, carrying the legacy and experience I earned from my time in school. I plan to pursue higher education in the medical field in Turkey, with just as much passion for knowledge as I had setting foot for the first time in Our Own English High School – Al Ain.”

 

Yomna Mohamed said: “I will be starting university at Imperial College London, as today I received my A-level results and my unconditional offer from Imperial. My results were five A*s in Physics, Maths, Computer Science, Chemistry and History. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this milestone without the constant support of my teachers and the school. Due to the pandemic and various circumstances, I had to opt for the 100% distance learning option, which meant I did not get to attend school in person this year. However, despite the obstacles that came with online learning, my teachers were there to support me throughout.”

 

This year’s exceptional A-level results add to GEMS Education’s record-breaking results already recorded in the IBDP, ICSE and CBSE board exams, reflecting students’ incredible determination, resilience and appetite for learning across the GEMS network. The results are also testament to the unwavering commitment of GEMS teachers, who have gone above and beyond to ensure the students in their care continue to learn and excel no matter what the obstacles and challenges.