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.”