Overall GCSE passes rose in Redbridge this year as nervous students collected their results last week.

Brown envelopes were opened at schools across the borough on August 20 with the number of students achieving five A* to C grades up from 77 per cent in 2014 to 78 per cent this year.

Though the percentage of children receiving at least C grades including Maths and English fell from 69 per cent to 66 per cent, this is still above the national average of 53 per cent.

There were particular successes for Wanstead High School and Snaresbrook's Forest School who both saw more than a three per cent increase on their performance from last year.

Wanstead High, in Redbridge Lane West, had 67 per cent of students achieving five or more GCSES at A* to C with English and Maths and a quarter of all grades either A* or A.

Trinity Catholic High School, in Mornington Road, Woodford Green, achieved 87.1 per cent of grades A* to C, and 34.5 per cent of all grades A* to A.

At nearby Woodbridge High School, in St Barnabas Road, a total of 73 per cent of grades were from A* to C and 25 per cent were A* to A at the school.

A total of 99 per cent of students at Woodford County High School received at least a C grade and 75 per cent of results were at least an A.

At Forest School in Snaresbrook, 91 per cent of all grades awarded were at least a B grade and 68 per cent A* or A.

Whereas at fellow private school Bancroft’s school, 49 out of 121 Year 11 pupils received eight or more A* grades, with 62 per cent of all exams graded A*.

Woodbridge High head, Andrew Beaumont, said: “Students are to be congratulated on their excellent results.

“I thank the students for their excellent attitude, their parents and the staff of this school.”

Woodford County head, Jo Pomeroy, was proud of her students’ results.

"We are all delighted with the results and everyone has done really well and worked very hard," she said.

“The vast majority are staying on for sixth form and we look forward to their return.”

Labour councillor Elaine Norman, cabinet member for children, was “delighted” with the results.

She said: “Tribute should be paid not just to the students themselves who work so hard both in exams and coursework, but also to our teaching and school staff who create fantastic environments and guidance for children across the borough to learn and achieve.

“Redbridge has a fantastic reputation for education and each year we show why when our students perform so well in their exams.”