There were tears and cheers today as teenagers collected their GCSE results.

Just over 3,000 collected their results in person, with many more accessing them online at home.

In addition to the numerous individual students who performed exceptionally well, many schools noticed an overall improvement in grades.

At the Royal Liberty School, Gidea Park, the rate of students who achieved five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths, increased from 44 to 59 per cent.

The Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School, Upminster, saw an increase of three per cent, from 85 pc to 88 pc.

Marshalls Park School, Romford, saw its best results, with 71 pc of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades including English and maths, a 15 pc improvement on last year.

Headteacher Pam Mason said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. We are proud of [the students] as a year group and wish them luck in the next stages of their education.”

Among those delighted with their results was Bradley Donovan, of Hornchurch. He achieved the five Cs he needed to get into Havering Sixth Form College to study a B-Tec in sport.

The disabled teenager is passionate about sport and getting other disabled people active.

Bradley, whose favourite sport is cricket, said: “I’m ecstatic with my results; it’s very exciting. I want to coach disabled people in sport.”

Also celebrating their school’s best results were pupils at Sanders Draper School, Hornchurch, where 78 pc achieved five or more A* to C grades including English and maths.

Jade Cook, from Rainham, was among the high-achieving pupils, achieving three A*s, five As and a B.

She said: “I’m really happy; I worked so hard. I’ve wanted to be a primary school teacher since I was little so I knew I needed to get good grades.”