Visit of Demis Hassabis, Co-Founder and CEO of DeepMind

A very lucky group of Academy students were inspired today (Tuesday 27^th November) by a visit from Demis Hassabis, one of the world’s most prominent business leaders and one of the world’s top 100 most influential people according to Time Magazine. Demis, Co-Founder and CEO of DeepMind, took the students on a journey through his impressive career from chess prodigy to computer scientist to neuroscientist to video game designer to artificial intelligence scientist and entrepreneur.

The event was possible thanks to a partnership between DeepMind and Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC), an educational charity that champions the playing of chess to promote key academic and social skills that children will use throughout their lives. Hassabis, a child chess prodigy and England junior chess captain, believes that games like chess provide a vital foundation for learning disciplines that can prepare children for work in the digital economy.

In a Q&A between Mr Street and Demis, students were able to ask questions on subjects ranging from his educational background to his insights on the progression of AI, what it means for the future of society, and challenges in the sector. He described how he was inspired, by an A-level maths teacher, to examine how to think and approach problems methodically, later putting this mantra to work in setting up DeepMind. Demis also explained how advances in research often came in the ‘gaps’ between subjects and applauded our Connected Curriculum and collaborate approach to learning for encouraging students to approach problems more creatively.

Demis said that “as a young chess player I learnt how to solve problems, how to make plans and devise strategies, and how to imagine and visualise possible futures. Playing the game at such a young age was an extremely formative experience and the transferable skills I honed through chess have continued to influence and inform all aspects of my life. That’s why I’m always very encouraging of children being taught chess as part of the school curriculum, and particularly proud to support the work of Chess in Schools and Communities. Demis added that “UCL Academy is only a stone’s throw from the comprehensive school I went to in Finchley and it was really rewarding to talk to local students, especially when they have such a brilliant understanding of the potential and pitfalls of AI.”

Robin Street, Co-Principal, said, “It is testament to the enthusiasm of Demis for chess that he is willing to take time out of his busy schedule to visit us at UCL Academy in support of Chess in Schools and Communities. The students will have learned a great deal from his insights into the complex world of AI and machine learning, including the applications of these innovations to different fields.” Malcolm Pein, Chief Executive of Chess in Schools and Communities, added, “Demis’ overview of his impressive career proved inspirational for UCL Academy’s cohort of A-level students and it was fascinating to listen to their ideas and concerns expressed through the questions they posed to Demis.

The UCL Academy Celebrates Its First Critchley Scholars

The Academy is honoured and delighted to announce today (26th September) the school’s first ever Critchley Scholars, Ema Hoxha and Iman Noah.

These two Level 3 (Year 12) students were chosen from a group of high achieving female students to receive support and mentoring from Elizabeth Critchley, a successful businesswoman and a Partner of Ripplewood Advisors Limited. The Academy has worked with Elizabeth, a UCL alumnus, over the past year to design a program of talks and visits for our highest achieving female students in Level 2+ (Year 11).

Ema Hoxha said: “I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to be a Critchley Scholar. It has rewarded my hard work and has further encouraged me to maintain that work ethic while studying for my A levels. I am looking forward towards the guidance and mentoring I will receive which will help me develop skills required in the future.”

Iman Noah said: “I am honoured to be granted this opportunity as it’s helped to put me in a position where I can develop a prosperous future as well as, hopefully, inspiring more young girls to endeavour in STEM.”

Robin Street, Co-Principal at the Academy said: “The scholarship aims to inspire these students to be ambitious, confident and successful in their studies and chosen line of work. We are honoured that the Critchley Scholarship has now been confirmed as a formal award to two students each year.”

Elizabeth Critchley said: “I am delighted to be able to help The UCL Academy, as an Alumni of UCL, with the scholarship programme. Under the inspirational leadership of Co-Principals Simon McBride and Robin Street, The UCL Academy has great long-term ambition. I believe the programme will help to demonstrate, not only to those who are selected for it, but also more broadly, that the only ceiling to achievement is your own ambition.”

Second Year of Excellent GCSE Results at The Academy

The UCL Academy is today celebrating its second set of GCSE results, marked by a number of outstanding performances by its students. Students achieved above national average results in a range of subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, and Engineering and are now looking forward to continuing their studies into the 6th form.

Four of the standout individual performances from Academy students are:

Jacques Foex, who is celebrating an outstanding set of results with seven 9s, one 8 and an A* in a range of subjects, including Engineering. His family are all really proud and Jacques is looking forward to starting his A Levels at the Academy in September. “Many thanks to my enthusiastic and engaging teachers for their incredible support,” he says.

Ema Hoxha, who thanked teachers for “their support and all of the extra revision sessions that they held for students,” after achieving five 9s, three 8s and one A* in subjects including Music.

Safi Abdirahman was delighted to have achieved top grades in a range of subjects including Science, English and Mandarin. She thanked her teachers for teaching her to revise efficiently and effectively. “I felt less stressed during the exam period and more prepared.”

Alyssa Chan achieved excellent results, with four 9s, two 8s and three 7s in a range of subjects, including all three sciences, and is now looking forward to continuing her study of STEM subjects at A Level. “All of the teachers go out of their way to facilitate the best learning,” said Alyssa.

Robin Street, Co-Principal of The UCL Academy said: “We are delighted with the results our students have achieved in this year’s GCSEs, which reflect the hard work of both students and staff. Ever since the Academy opened in 2012, we shared an ambition with our sponsor to deliver an education that challenged and developed our students, and inspired them to achieve excellence. I believe these results help to demonstrate that our students are thriving in this uniquely challenging and supportive environment to deliver their best.”

Professor Anthony Smith, UCL Vice Provost (Education and Student Affairs), said: “We congratulate all of the Academy GCSE students for their hard work and the results they have achieved today. I believe that the sponsorship of the Academy by UCL, one of the world’s leading universities, provides students with a unique experience that they have benefited from in their school career. This is a fantastic day for them, and we look forward to their further future success.”

Another Strong Set of A Level Results at The UCL Academy

The UCL Academy is today celebrating another strong set of A Level results with students achieving excellent results in some of the most challenging A Level subjects. The Academy is immensely proud of our students who are today confirming their places on a range of degree courses reflecting the Academy’s commitment to academic excellence. These results will see students go on to study at many of the country’s most prestigious universities including our sponsor, UCL. Three of the stand-out individual performances from Academy students include:

With an A*, A and B, Aseya Shwani is excited and proud to take up a place at UCL this September to study Civil Engineering. Aseya is so thankful to the Academy for the support and motivation with her A Levels and for helping her to rethink her approach to studying Physics.

Alex Liow achieved three As and will be going to Southampton University to read Medicine. Alex said “Thank you to all the teachers at the Academy for their support in particular those teachers who were always available to provide me with extra guidance after school.”

Pavlina Yordanova achieved A*, A and B and will now be going to Kings College London to read English. Pavlina said “I am so grateful to my teachers for their belief in me and their constructive feedback which spurred me on to work even harder as I wanted to make them proud.”

Robin Street, Co-Principal of The UCL Academy said: “The students have done brilliantly. The whole Academy community along with our sponsor, UCL, are proud of all of our students who have worked so hard to achieve coveted places on courses in some of the best universities in the UK.

“The Academy opened its doors in 2012 with an ambitious vision for how a diverse school in inner London could, with the support and inspiration of one of the world’s leading universities, inspire all our students to achieve success. From day one our students and staff have benefited from our close relationship with UCL, and today’s results underline how that relationship is bearing fruit, with our students leaving the Academy equipped to become global citizens and take the next step in their journey.”

Professor Anthony Smith, UCL Vice Provost (Education and Student Affairs) said: “This cohort of Academy students has had encounters with excellence built into their educational experience from their very first day at the school, which they spent on UCL’s Bloomsbury campus. We are proud of their achievements and delighted that the close relationship between school and university has supported them so effectively on their academic journey. We hope these students will continue to achieve excellence in whatever they choose to undertake, and build on today’s impressive results.”