Star results

Pupils flocked back to schools across the borough last Thursday, to pick up the small piece of paper that will shape the next stage in their education.

At Trinity Catholic High School in Woodford Green, pupils scored top marks in what has been described as one of the best years ever.

Students at the school in Mornington Road, were jubilant at the results.

Sarah Ives, 16, of Stanmore Way, Loughton, achieved eight grade A*s. She said: I'm delighted with my results. I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened my envelope and saw my grades.

Fellow student Leo Tyre, of Scarborough Road, Leytonstone, was ecstatic after gaining six A*s

He said: I'm so pleased. I was hoping to do well, but it's turned out better than I ever expected. I'm very happy.

Celebrations were shared with other students Zoe Kendall, Laura Kirsopp, Danielle Sharpe and Isobel Gaston.

San McVittie, of Montrose Close, Woodford Green, said she shared tears of joy with her friends.

The 16-year-old, who gained A* grades in double science, maths and drama, said: I'm absolutely ecstatic. I was with a few friends and we all screamed when we looked at our results.

Headteacher Dr Paul Doherty said: We're delighted with this year's results. It's got to be one of our best years.

Once again staff and pupils have worked immensely hard and everyone is very proud of what has been achieved.

He said the results saw an eight per cent increase from last year, with over 85 per cent of pupils gaining A* to C grades and over 55 per cent achieving A and B grades.

At Woodbridge High School in Woodford Green, there also much to celebrate.

There was a 10 per cent increase from last year on pupils gaining A* to C grades, from 47 per cent to 57 per cent.

School spokeswoman Veronica Copeman said: This is our best ever year for results. There is a big jump from last year. We're delighted.

Woodbridge student Charlotte Maloney, 16, said she was in shock after receiving her GCSE results.

The teenager from Sky Peals Road, Woodford Green, said: I'm delighted but still in shock. I'm so pleased with what I got, but it hasn't sunk in yet.

Charlotte, who gained A* in double science, graphics and PE, is to stay on at the school to study PE, English and sociology at A level.

And 16-year-old Maryam Mauthoor has an extra reason to celebrate.

As well as gaining grades in her GSCEs, the student has been placed in the top five out of 80,150 pupils studying French nationwide.

While most schools can claim their girls beat the boys in the classroom once again, Forest School in Snaresbrook said it had six boys in its top ten of best achievers, compared with four girls.

School warden Andrew Boggis said: It's almost an equality of the sexes. We're delighted with these results which are very strong across the full range of subjects.

We've a large group for year 11, 143 pupils in all, and they've all achieved results which continue the rise year on year.

Student Ashlee Godwin, of Woodside Park Avenue, Walthamstow, gained 11 A*s and an A, as well as an advanced qualification in maths.

The 16-year-old said: I feel so very happy. It was a shock when I glanced at my results. You work hard but you never know really what to expect.

Ashlee is now preparing to study for A levels at the school's sixth form.

Other high achievers at the Snaresbrook school were Jack Honeysett (9A* and 1A), Charlotte Evans (9A* 1A), Lucy Garcia (9A* 1A), Joseph Carrigan (8A* 2A), Benjamin Deary (8A*2A), David Facey (8*2A), Richard Hogg (8A*2A), Geraldine Arben(8A*2A) and Simrandeep Pone (8A* 2A 1B).

At Bancrofts School in the High Road, Woodford Green, it was another year of academic excellence.

One of the top students was Bobby Friedman who gained A*s in all his exams.

The 16-year-old has also achieved the accolade of being in the top five students in the country for English and in the top five for history.

He was told of his achievements while on holiday in America and his reaction was: I'm absolutely amazed.

Bobby will now study double maths, economics, history, English and politics at A level.

Pupils at West Hatch High School in Chigwell celebrated one of the school's best GCSE results after a long and anxious wait.

More than half of the 16-year-olds at the High Road school received eight or more A* to C grades with one-third attaining ten or more A* to C.