Pupils at Highams Park School are said to have done "exceptionally well" in their GCSEs despite government changes to core subjects.

As sixteen-year-olds gathered at the school gates this morning, headteacher STeve Riches spoke of his pride after students managed to top last year’s results with 70 per cent of children achieving A* to C grades.

This year saw a return to traditional end-of-year exams, with continual assessment scrapped. 

Mr Riches said: “To go on and top last year’s results is brilliant, especially in the light of the government changes.

“The students and teachers have worked very hard.”

Matthew Bird, 16, who achieved seven A*s and three As has set his sights on going to Cambridge University after his A-levels.

He said: “I am genuinely amazed. I was hoping to get these results but I didn’t know if I would.

“I want to go to Cambridge to take English literature.”

Richard Sadan, 16, hopes to become a police officer after taking his A Levels.

He said: “I thought I was only going to get five Cs but I got seven. I did a lot better than I thought.”

Pupil Leanne Smith said: “I really don’t know what I am going to do yet, I think I want to go to university.

“I’m very happy.”

Zoe Rogers, 16, hopes to go on to study pathology at university.

He said: “I have been predicting Bs but I worked so hard, I am really, really pleased.

“I want to so biology, chemistry, maths and sociology at A level but I’m not sure where I will take them yet.”