More students than ever before have achieved an A level qualification at sixth forms and colleges across Waltham Forest.

A total of 1,795 students passed their A levels on Thursday (August 13) - an increase of 38 per cent compared to last year.

Some of the borough's top performing students proved beyond doubt their determination to succeed as they overcame illness, language barriers, homelessness and assault to achieve outstanding grades.

There has also been a huge rise in the number of students opting to study vocational courses, an overall increase of 68 per cent compared to previous years, and this has largely been reflected in each school's results.

Heathcote School in Normanton Park, Chingford, Chingford Foundation School in Nevin Drive, Chingford and Highams Park Sixth Form in Handsworth Avenue, all reported a100 per cent pass rate in BTEC subjects.

The percentage of students achieving two vocational qualifications leapt from 88 per cent to 98 per cent at Highams Park and its overall A2 pass rate reached a record 99.3 per cent.

All students at Chingford Foundation Sixth Form passed at least three A levels and 61 per cent of grades were A* to B.

For the first time since Walthamstow Academy opened its doors in 2008, the Billet Road college achieved a 100 pass rate at A2 level, plus every student studying BTEC was awarded a triple distinction and the percentage of grades between A* to C climbed to 76 per cent from 66 per cent in 2014.

Holy Family Catholic Sixth Form in Shernall Street, Walthamstow recorded its best pass rate between A*-C for the last 5 years at 74 per cent, and had an overall pass rate of 98 per cent.

Students at Leyton Sixth Form College in Essex Road, achieved a 99.7 pass rate with eight students gaining three or more A* and A grades.

With over 100 subjects to choose from and 2,000 students at Sir George Monoux College in Chingford Road, Walthamstow, the college achieved an overall pass rate of 96 per cent.

Despite, the success stories of each institution, the overall percentage of students achieving one A level at grade A* to E has dipped to 95 per cent.

Councillor Mark Rusling, responsible for education and young people, said: "There have been many truly inspirational success stories from sixth forms and colleges across Waltham Forest, which is testament to our dedicated students and the standard of education available.

"We’re still awaiting some results but on the whole they’ve been stable at the majority of Waltham Forest’s sixth forms and colleges, so the challenge now for schools is to try and improve next year."

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Heathcote student's Benedict Osei-Owusu and Jake Matthews-Hubbard with cllr Mark Rusling