Pupils at a secondary school showed mixed emotions this morning as they picked up their GCSE results.

Overall, the pass rate for five A* to Cs has improved at Rushcroft Foundation School, in Rushcroft Road, Chingford, and now stands at 61 per cent compared to 58 per cent in 2014.

There was a dip in the number of pupils who passed five GCSE's at grade A* to C including English and maths from 53 per cent in 2014 to 45 per cent.

Expected progress in maths remained level with 2014 results at 71 per cent but there was a percentage increase for pupils who did better than expected in maths - bucking the national trend as the grade boundary has become tougher.

There were some exceptional results from pupils who have overcome hardship and personal challenges in the last two years.

Emily Cook, 16, was on the verge of exclusion at Highams Park School in Handsworth Avenue, when she transferred to Rushcroft during the final month of year 10.

Today, she did better than expected with two A grades in maths and art, B grades in religious education, history, statistics, Spanish, English literature and additional science and a C grade in English language.

She said: "I was quite rude to teachers and a bit naughty.

"I was hanging around with the wrong group of friends from around year 8.

"I knew that to get into criminal psychology I had to do well so I changed schools.

"This school has been 100 times better for me - teachers have helped me to understand the need for education."

Danish Anwar, 16, arrived in London from Hong Kong at the beginning of year 11.

With only one year to learn the UK curriculum, he still took on 10 subjects and sat 21 exams to finally be awarded 6 A* grades in maths, Cantonese, additional science, Urdu, statistics, and religious eduction. He also got A grades in core science and English literature and a B in English language and design and technology.

"When I came here, a lot of things were new to me," he said.

"Many of the subjects I had never done before.

"In Hong Kong, everything is academic-based and there is too much competition.

"My entire motif was focused on studying and striving to be the best.

"I was very alone as my parents are in Hong Kong and I'm staying with my auntie."

Headteacher Mark Morrall, said: "We are very proud of the achievements made by our pupils and they can be proud of the progress they have made in their time here."