Roding Valley High School leavers are celebrating a nine percent increase in the number of A* and B grades.

The Loughton school saw 42 per cent of exams returned with the top three grades, 85 per cent of maths students also picking up an A*, A or B and a 97 per cent pass rate overall.

Sharon Jenner, head of school, said: "We have significantly improved our value added score by over 30 per cent which clearly demonstrates the high levels of progress now being made by students in the Sixth Form.

"These achievements are testament to the sheer hard work, determination and commitment of all involved, students can expect high levels of academic support and careers guidance at Roding Valley High School.

"The majority of students have secured their first choice place at University and we have a number of high achieving students who have secured excellent higher level apprenticeships in varied fields of industry. "It is both very exciting and rewarding that the sixth form continues to grow and moves from strength to strength."

Raising a toast with particular vigour were Matthew Tinker, whose A*,A, B and an A* in the EPQ see him head off to Exeter University to read Geography, Giedre Sulcaite, who scored three As, Jessica Galloway and her A,A,B and an A in the EPQ which has got her a place reading English at Warwick University and Chloe Humphries, whose A,A,A have led her to a higher level professional apprenticeship in accountancy at UHY Hacker Young London.

Ms Jenner added: "I take this opportunity to wish all our Year 13s the best of luck as they move into further study or the workplace.

"I feel assured that they are confident, happy, mature and successful individuals who can meet the challenges ahead.

"It is an exciting time here at Roding Valley High School with improved facilities and a new Sixth Form Study Centre housed in our new state of the art Brook Building opening in September."

Enrolment Day for the Sixth Form at Roding Valley High School is on Thursday, August 23.