Excited students at Bancroft’s School in Woodford Green tore open their envelopes on Thursday morning to reveal their much-awaited A-level results.

The new A-levels were intended to be significantly tougher for candidates but youngsters at the school in Woodford High Road equalled the achievements of recent years, with 35 per cent getting at least one A* grade.

Student Minnie Life said: "I was terrified when I opened my envelope this morning but I am overjoyed at doing better than I had expected."

Seventy per cent of the cohort of 127 students’ exams were graded at A* or A. and 28 came away with three or more A* grades.

Sonali Arora, who checked online for her results, said: "To be honest, I'm still in shock.

“After quite a few sleepiness nights to find out that I got into Cambridge was quite surreal.

“I had to refresh the page at least five items to make sure I wasn't dreaming."

Headteacher Simon Marshall said students “coped particularly well” with the pressure and stress of the new syllabus.

He added: “There are very many outstanding performances at all levels, and we are especially proud of those pupils who have performed so well under adverse circumstances, whether through ill-health, bereavement or other challenging personal circumstances.

“This was an exceptionally committed and busy year-group, as their many cultural and sporting successes throughout their time at the school have demonstrated, and they illustrate again that Bancroftians who most get involved in school life and learn from the variety of opportunities on offer also excel when it comes to final examinations.”