Pupils at Ilford County High were celebrating an incredible set of GCSE results.

Headteacher Michael Capon said all students got five or more A* to C grades and one hundred per cent of maths and English results were A* to Cs.

He added: “The staff worked hard, the boys worked hard and they got the results they deserved.

“It’s hard to tell if the marking is different but it looks as though English is tougher.”

Marking did not seem to have too much of an impact on the 24 boys who got all A*s and As.

Star pupil Sam Barnett swept the board with 12 A*s, including one with distinction.

The 16-year-old from Buckhurst Hill said: “I’m going to celebrate at Reading Festival.

“It was hard work but it was worth it. I’d like to do maths at university but I’m not really sure.”

Sam is going on to do A-levels in maths, further maths, physics and Spanish at the school in Fremantle Road.

Classmate James Delchar, of Goodmayes, is hoping to use his nine A*s and 2 As to work towards a career in criminal law.

He said: “It seems like a challenging job and from what I’ve seen on television it looks interesting. And I like arguing with people as well.”

Mum Lois Delchar said: “I’m so proud of him, we’re going out for a meal at a steak house to celebrate tonight.”