A headteacher has said she is "extremely proud" of today's successful GCSE results that saw some pupils battle full-time caring needs, language barriers and long-distance travel to achieve top marks.
There were many success stories to be told at Buxton School in Cann Hall Road, Leytonstone, this morning as hundreds of pupils collected their results.
Teenager Alfie Murray, 16, scored three As and seven Bs, despite having to look after his seriously ill mother.
Alfie endured a "stressful summer" as he split his time between studying and being a full-time carer for his mother, Susan, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis.
He said: "It was hard and kind of stressful because a lot of times I would get interrupted from my studies to help out my mum.
"For most other kids all they have to worry about is there exams over the summer but obviously I have to do a lot of other stuff as well.
"I don't mind doing it, I want to help my mum. I still did pretty well, although I could have done better.
"A lot of the exams I don't think I would have done as well without the teachers."
Lithuanian-born Ugne Brigyte, 16, could not speak English when she arrived at Buxton School, but despite the language barrier, she has achieved seven As and three Bs, including top marks in English.
"When I got here all the teachers really helped me with my English," she said.
"The PE teacher helped me by reading with me after class, everyone was really great.
"I'm happy with my results but I'm most happy with English.
"I'm really proud of myself."
Determined to stay at the school he loved most, pupil Amjad Kassem, 16, has spent the last two years travelling three hours from Hayes in west London.
He said: "I was doing really well here and there weren't any schools that were as good as Buxton where I was living so I stayed.
"It was a good decision because I have done really well.
"It is all down to my teachers and studying on the train".
Headteacher Kath Wheeler, said it was a "pleasure" preparing the year 11 group.
Adding: "As a school we are extremely proud of the achievements of all our pupils.
"They have worked extremely hard and with the help of the teachers and support staff at Buxton have set themselves on the road to success.
"I wish them every success with their future endeavours."
Buxton School pupil Ugne Brigyte shows off her GCSE results
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