Thousands of students across Havering are preparing for their next steps after discovering their GCSE results this morning (Thurs).
Teenagers nervously headed to schools across the borough to rip open envelopes.
There was joy at Brittons Academy, Ford Lane, Rainham, who had its most successful year ever with an A*-C pass rate of 57 per cent – a 17pc increase on two years ago.
Headteacher, Stuart McLaughlin, said: “It’s not where we want to be but we are on track and it’s clear we are making progress.”
Headteacher Paul Ward was “very happy” with the A*-C pass rate of 70pc at Redden Court School, Cotswold Road, Harold Wood.
The Albany School in Broadstone Road, Hornchurch, achieved an A*-C pass rate of 64pc while Bower Park Academy in Havering Road, Romford, achieved an A*-C pass rate of 52pc.
Gary Wimbush, assistant head, Broadstone Road, Hornchurch, said: “We are really pleased, most of the kids have worked super hard and it’s a lovely day.
“We’ve had a few who have done extremely well, getting 12 or 13 GCSEs all A*s and As.”
With an A*-C pass rate of 58pc Frances Bardsley Academy in Brentwood Road, Gidea Park, is looking forward to welcoming 200 girls to its brand new sixth form centre in September.
Headteacher Julian Dutnall said: “My hunch is overall results are going down as English and maths are getting much harder to get good grades in year-on-year.
“We are doing what we can with evening and Saturday revision classes and supporting our students in every way we can.”
Meanwhile Coopers’ Company and Coborn School, in St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, achieved an A*-C pass rate of 77pc.
There was an inspirational story at Sanders School, Suttons Lane, Hornchurch, where chairwoman of governors Julie Secular, gained an A* in GCSE Spanish aged 45.
She said: “I hope it inspires other people my age to give it a go.”
Head boy and girl at Sanders, Morgan Cooper and Bianca Agu-Brown, set an example for their classmates with their impressive results.
Biana achieved four A*s, five As and two Bs and is hoping to go to Oxbridge to study law while Morgan gained five A*s and six As and hopes to read engineering at either Oxbridge, Imperial or travel to America to study at MIT.
Campion School, in Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch, achieved an A*-C pass rate of 81.2pc.
“It really shows what can be achieved when students, teachers and parents work together,” said headteacher Keith Williams.
“I am very proud of what our students have achieved and I look forward to them making excellent progress with their sixth form studies over the next two years.”
One impressive student, Ryan Montgomery, managed to secure himself 11 A*s with his classmate Sam Leonard close behind on eight A*s and 3As.
Pam Mason, headteacher of Marshalls Park School in Pettits Lane, Romford, said: “The year group has done particularly well with 57pc gaining five good GCSEs.
“Since they came to the school attainment levels were below the national average and we expect this to be in line with it.”
Four students were given special mention by Drapers’ Academy for their achievements.
Rafiah Ayandipo, David Oni, Dean Carter and Deborah Olasupo, all 16, were praised by their school for the amount of As and A*s they picked up.
Overall GCSE results have fallen across the borough.
Cllr Meg Davis, cabinet member for children and learning, said: “Well done to all our GCSE pupils for their hard work in their exams.
“While we don’t have a final pass rate, we know it will have gone down and that should not reflect poorly upon the young people who have given their all in their exams.”
More to follow.
For more photos visit our gallery here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here