The rain failed to dampen spirits at Leyton Sixth Form College this morning as excited and nervous students gathered to pick up their A-level results and be congratulated by their teachers and peers.

The college in Essex Road celebrated an overall pass rate of 98 per cent at A-level and 100 per cent on vocational and technical courses.

Principal Gill Burbridge mingled with the crowds of students, parents and teachers to celebrate a seven per cent increase in the number of learners gaining A* grades.

Amongst the top achievers was Bepul Shahab who gained 4 A* grades in economics, mathematics, further mathematics and Spanish and has secured a place at Cambridge University.

Fellow student Mohamed Bilal Saci also had cause for celebration after he ripped open his envelope to see he had received As in biology, physics and maths.

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Erika Kvasyte arrived in the UK three years ago speaking only a little English - now look at her!

The 18-year-old plans on taking a gap year to launch a business, details of which he is keeping under wraps, before heading to university to study engineering.

“I always wanted to be an entrepreneur and I’m going to build up my business and register it,” he said.

“I’ll be working full-time and working on my business from 7pm to 2am every morning and investing my salary.

“If my business is successful, I might skip university. I don’t think my parents would be happy with that though.”

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Mohamed Bilal Saci with his results

Noor Chowdhury, 18, was congratulated by his father Fourkan after receiving an A* in Spanish and As in maths and computer science.

The teenager moved to London from Spain six years ago and although he undoubtedly worked very hard to achieve such high grades, he was quick to remember the help his family offered him.

“Coming up to the exam I made sure I was having deep conversations in Spanish with my sister,” he said.

“Towards the end of my second year I decided I want to become a computer scientist and that’s what I’m going to study at university now.

“It was a good experience coming to live in London with my family because it’s very welcoming and there’s lots of cultures here.”

Noor’s dad Fourkan added: “I was surprised at his results but he worked very hard. He wasn’t sleeping some nights he was doing so much.

“Ever since he was a little boy he has loved computer games. We will celebrate at home with the family.”

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Erika Kvasyte, 18, arrived in the UK three years ago speaking very little English.

Now living in Buckhurst Hill, the Lithuanian-native was over the moon after discovering she got a triple distinction in B-Tec Level 3 Music.

The singer and pianist has secured an internship at her church in Walthamstow where she will be mentoring youngsters while also using her music skills.

“It was scary coming here not knowing English and I felt like an outsider,” she remembers.

“But I just picked it up and now people say to me that I’ve really good English.

“I wasn’t expecting distinctions – I thought I’d get merits.”

Emmanuel Vita, 18, said he was “pleased” with his results and is excited to start an apprenticeship with Newton Investments Management.

The teenager will work full-time while studying part-time for three years towards a degree in business.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Noor Chowdhury received an A* in Spanish after practicing speaking to his sister

He said: “I won’t have to worry about finance – I will be earning my own money and I’m looking forward to it.”

Seventy per cent of the college’s students achieved A*, A and B grades or the vocational equivalent, a particularly impressive figure given the significant changes to the A-level system this year.

Principal, Gill Burbridge, said: “It is fantastic. Some students did even better than they expected and are now going to try and negotiate a place at another university.

“Our careers department focuses on apprenticeships as well and we have a lot of vocational courses.”

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Principal Gill Burbridge with Bepul Shahab

She added: “We are absolutely delighted with our results and, on behalf of the staff and governors I would like to congratulate all of our students on what they have achieved.

“We have a high number of students progressing to study at top universities, art and drama schools and conservatoires as well as securing competitive apprenticeships and employment.”

Nineteen-year-old Tyrell Browne secured a place at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts – after years of dreaming about working in the film industry.

The aspiring actor who lives in Hainault received an A* in performing arts.

“I’ve always wanted to be in movies and I decided I wanted to do theatre when I was 11,” he said.

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Principal Gill Burbridge, centre, with students

“I also want to direct movies. I like the creative side of it and bringing new ideas to the table.

“My family have always known I love to act but I don’t think they knew how serious I am about it.”

Cllr Khevyn Limbajee was on hand to offer his congratulations on behalf of Waltham Forest Council, which recently launched the Life Chances Commission to help young people in the borough achieve their goals.

“It’s absolutely terrific,” he said.

“It’s great to see them move on to university and careers of their choice.

“We as a council want to help young people reach their potential with the Life Chances Commission.

“They’ve worked so hard and are a credit to themselves, their families and their communities.

“A huge congratulations to all of them and to the teachers who got them through it.”