Almost three quarters of 16-year-olds in Redbridge were able to celebrate passing their English and maths GCSEs, one of the highest pass rates in England.

Figures for the 2017-18 academic year show that 74per cent of students made the grade in the two core subjects.

But the 898 students who failed the exams are now facing compulsory resits in June.

A total of 3,508 pupils in the borough took their GCSEs this year. Most of the exams are now graded on a 1-9 scale under the new system.

A pass grade, previously a C, is now a 4, with the top score of 9 reflecting the need for a grade higher than the previous A*.

The government has defined a grade 5 as a “strong pass”, which would fall between a B and a C in the old system.

Girls in Redbridge were slightly more successful than boys, with 76pc of girls achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths compared with 73pc of boys.

The gap was the same at grade 5 and above, with 59pc of girls getting a strong pass compared with 55pc of boys.

The Association of School and College Leaders, an education union, said that publishing how many pupils achieved a strong pass is “an extremely confusing message for young people, their parents and employers”.

General secretary Geoff Barton said: “The result is that many young people will have felt deflated and uncertain after taking this summer’s exams, despite having worked their hardest.”

GCSE students in Redbridge had overall attainment scores that were better than scores of other students in London, and above the national average.

Progress scores show that a typical GCSE student from the area did better than other pupils in England who started secondary school with similar results at Key Stage 2.

A Progress 8 score of 0 means that pupils are on par with their peers, while a score of +1 means pupils at a school achieve one grade higher than similar pupils nationally, and a score of -1 means they score one grade lower.

Woodford County High saw students make the best progress of all secondary schools in Redbridge, with a score of 1.11 being considered well above average.

Eight other schools were in the top category for progress – Ark Isaac Newton Academy, Seven Kings School, Oaks Park High, Ilford County High, Valentines High, Chadwell Heath Academy, The Ursuline Academy Ilford and Loxford School.

All had a score of above 0.5, while six more schools were also ranked as making above average progress.

At the other end, Caterham High School received a below average rating while two special schools – Little Heath School and The New Rush Hall School – were deemed to be making well below average progress.

Cllr Elaine Norman, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Once again Redbridge has shown itself to be an excellent place for education and one of the best nationally and across London.

“We are very proud of our schools and the amount of work that goes into ensuring that they remain excellent places where our young people can reach their full potential.

“We know we have some of the best schools in the country but without the dedication and hard work of the students, as well as the support and guidance from our teachers, these results would not be possible.”

The DfE said that its reforms were ensuring rising standards, including more pupils taking the EBacc subjects that “best keep their options open”.

School standards minister Nick Gibb said: “This is a testament to the hard work of pupils and our teachers, who rose to the challenge of our reformed GCSEs and A-levels this summer.

“These new qualifications will ensure pupils have the knowledge and skills they need for future success, and that every child is able to realise their full potential.”