Pupils nervously awaited their results outside Seven Kings High School, Ley Street, Seven Kings this morning and emotions ran high as each individual collected their envelope.

Headteacher, Tracy Smith, said: “I am very happy with the results and most pupils seem pleased with what they got. I haven’t really seen the impact of the rise in university fees.

“Most of our students have high aspirations which they are determined to meet with the majority going on to university.”

The school achieved an 86 per cent pass rate for students getting A*-C grades and 36 per cent were awarded an A or A*.

Pupil, Radya Khatun, 17, of Whalebone Lane North, Chadwell Heath, said: “I was so nervous this morning but I managed to get three A’s and an A* and will be going to Kings next year. I was put off by the expensive fees at first but I think you have to take some risks.”

Daniel Barulua, 18, of Gidea Park, added: “I am ecstatic today because I got what I needed to study economics at UCL. I originally considered an internship at stock brokers because you can still be successful without going to university, but in the end I thought I should keep my options open.”