This year’s GCSE results at Caterham High School were hailed the best ever by the deputy headteacher.

Hilary Davis said 95 per cent of year 11s at the school in Caterham Avenue, Clayhall, had got five or more A* to C grades.

She added: “We’ve never had that many before so it’s just amazing.

“Unfortunately we always have a few persistent absentees but the children we have been able to reach have done really well.”

But there was disappointment for some, including Aaron Ahi, of Clayhall.

He said: “I didn’t do as well as I expected but it’s enough to get me to A-levels.

“I’m not happy but it’s what I deserved because I didn’t work hard enough.”

Aaron is staying at the school to study physics, maths, economics and psychology.

Zainab Adekunle’s grades also fell short of her expectations, but it has not stopped her aiming for a medical career.

She said: “It was a bit worse than I expected but I’m happy with it.

“I want to be a paediatric doctor. When we thought my sister had malaria I went into the hospital and started thinking I wanted to help all the people.”

Friend Candice Divine is heading towards a career in journalism with six As, three Bs. Her other results had not yet been calculated.