The deputy headteacher of King Solomon High School said that this year’s apparently harsher marking was a “shame” for pupils collecting their GCSEs.
Rabbi Jermy Bruce added: “We’ve had great results, the kids have done really well.
“Following the national trend, the headline figure is slightly down.
“Clearly, there’s been a decision to lower grades, which is a bit of shame because the kids have worked so hard.”
Jagriti Jyoti couldn’t bear to look at her grades but she need not have worried with seven A*s, two As and two Bs.
She moved to Gants Hill from New Delhi and joined the school, in Forest Road, Barkingisde, in year 10.
After initially being put in a lower ability set, Jagriti rocketed up the sets and now wants to be a doctor.
She said: “Some people in India can’t afford healthcare so I really want to help if I go back.
“I think I’m going to stay here for university and maybe I’ll settle here.”
Luke Vatkovsky, of Colliers Row, said he was “a bit disappointed” with three A*s, five As and three Bs.
But mum Penny Wolff said she was “relieved”.
She added: “At parents’ evening the teachers would always say he was intelligent but could work harder but it’s amazing how well he’s done.”
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