Students receive groundbreaking, record A-Level results at LAE Tottenham

We are delighted to announce another set of outstanding A-Level results for students at the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (LAET) – the Club-sponsored Sixth Form college based on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium campus.

In a milestone year for the sixth form, LAET celebrated its best-ever A-Level results. 57% of all grades were achieved at A or A*, while 21% of all grades were A*—continuing a track record of strong performance at LAET and remaining notably above national averages. As is typically the case for LAET graduates, the majority of students have secured places at Russell Group universities, alongside a record number winning places on highly competitive degree apprenticeships with a diverse range of prestigious employers across law, finance, investment management and tech.

For the first time in the school’s history, students have gained places on trailblazing pathways, including Zulua becoming the first student in LAET’s history to secure a prestigious law degree apprenticeship with A&O Shearman, and two LAET students—including Taliyah—securing places on Cambridge’s competitive Foundation Year in Arts & Humanities.

Achieving a stellar AAA*A in Computer Science, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, and Physics, Marli has secured a four-year IT Consultancy Degree Apprenticeship with leading global investment firm Rokos Capital Management, specialising in Software Engineering. She will be joined at the firm by another LAET peer, who has also secured a degree apprenticeship there. Marli said: “It feels pretty amazing to step straight into a global firm like Rokos right out of sixth form, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity. I went to a women in tech event hosted at Rokos through LAET, as well as an alumni event in the stadium, which really helped me understand what the apprenticeship involved and how to apply.

“I did a month-long internship with them last summer and really enjoyed the fast-paced work environment—everyone was knowledgeable and friendly, and I knew it would be a great place to learn and grow. I love coding because it’s practical, so being able to get hands-on work experience while earning a degree in Digital and Technological Solutions is a fantastic opportunity.

“LAET supported me through talks, assemblies and degree apprenticeship application support sessions. My main goal now is to build my personal skills and learn as much as I can from everyone there. To other young women considering STEM or finance, I’d say just go for what interests and challenges you—if you're enthusiastic about it, you'll go very far.”

Achieving A*AA in English, Politics, and Philosophy & Religion, Taliyah is one of two LAET students to secure a place on the Cambridge Foundation Year in Arts & Humanities—a fully funded, one-year course designed for talented students who have faced significant educational disruption or personal disadvantage. Taliyah overcame major health challenges and chronic nerve pain, which reduced her school attendance to around 60%, to achieve her dream of studying at Oxbridge. The foundation route offers a progression pathway onto full degree courses at Cambridge upon successful completion.

Taliyah said: “I still really wanted to go to Oxbridge and achieve what I knew I was capable of, but my health issues meant I was missing a lot of school and falling behind. The wraparound care and support I got from LAET staff were integral in giving me the confidence to apply.

“The foundation year unlocks a door that you might not have considered. It gives you so much breadth across subjects like law, English and theology, and I'm really excited about exploring the local history modules and college museums. To anyone considering non-traditional routes, I'd say don't see a foundation year as a hindrance—one pathway isn't always the right pathway, and alternative routes can open up your horizons in ways you never expected.”

Meanwhile, a record number of LAET students have secured competitive degree apprenticeships across law, finance and technology.

Making school history, Zulua achieved A*AA in History, Mathematics, and Spanish to secure a spot on the elite six-person intake for Allen & Overy’s law degree apprenticeship—a pathway with an acceptance rate of less than 0.5%—while also holding five traditional law degree offers from top universities, including Durham.

Zulua said: “I’ve wanted to do a law degree apprenticeship since Year 7 when I searched online for how to become a lawyer without taking on debt that could burden my family. Coming from a family that wasn't wealthy, the cost of going to university was a genuine worry for me and them, so finding a path where I could gain my qualifications without financial stress was essential. Earning while learning and stepping straight into a premier corporate firm environment felt completely right for me.

“I don’t think I would have had the confidence or opportunity to land this offer if I hadn't gone to LAET. Being house captain, founding the Law Society, hosting panel events with Magic Circle lawyers, and going on a work experience placement at Linklaters completely transformed my outlook. Surrounding myself with top-tier legal minds at Allen & Overy is going to push me to become the best lawyer I can be, and I’m really excited to explore areas like corporate mergers and acquisitions.”

Jan Balon, Headteacher, said: “The outcomes achieved today reflect so positively on the combined efforts of students, staff, families and our whole school community. All play their part in the successes which we are celebrating. Once again, our students have shown the talent that exists at LAET”.

Adam Pettitt, Head of Highgate School, LAET’s education sponsor, said: “LAET has once again shown how brilliantly it unleashes and trains Tottenham’s raw talent! I am so proud of what these ambitious and hard-working young people have achieved, and I predict and wish for them the most successful and exciting studies and careers ahead.”

The London Academy of Excellence Tottenham is a state-funded Sixth Form, sponsored by the Club and Highgate School - the principal academic sponsor- whose financial and governance support enables LAET to deliver its targeted programme of curricular and employment enrichment. LAET prioritises local students most likely to benefit from an academically rigorous curriculum and those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, giving Tottenham’s brightest students the best possible chance of accessing top universities.