It was an early start for eager students who wanted to find out their results as soon as possible at The Palmer Catholic Academy, Aldborough Road South, Seven Kings.

Headteacher, Frank Maguire, said: “We absolutely delighted with the results and everyone worked so hard and deserved what they got. The majority of students haven’t been put off by the high university fees and applications are very much on a par with other years.

“Although we have found students choosing to stay closer to home.”

The school was proud to announce a 98 per cent pass rate with 63 per cent of those students achieving A*-C grades and 14.5 per cent getting an A or A*.

Sabrina Bhandari, 18, of Mayesbrook Road, Goodmayes, said: “I didn’t expect to get the high results I did and I will be going to Queen Mary University to study maths. I was not put off at all by the fees but so many of my friends are taking a gap year.

“I’m so glad all my hard work paid off and I want to thank the great teachers in my maths department for all their help.”

Joshua Wilson, 18, Cranbourne Avenue, Wanstead, added: “I can’t wait to study maths at Kings College London. I haven’t really thought about the fees but hopefully after four years I will be able to pay it off when I start working.”