After several months of waiting, students across Redbridge anxiously ripped open their envelopes to discover their GCSE results.

Woodbridge High School, St Barnabas Road, Woodford Green, achieved their highest ever value-added score, which measures the progress of all students.

In total 62 per cent of pupils received five or more GCSEs A* to C, including Maths and English, and 25pc of grades were A* to A.

Headteacher Andrew Beaumont said: “Students at Woodbridge are to be congratulated on their excellent results.

“They have performed strongly and can look forward to the next stage of their education.”

Half of the pupils at Mayfield School, in Pedley Road, Goodmayes achieved five or more A* to C GCSEs, with Maths and English.

Gunj Patel, 16, from Goodmayes, is aiming to go to the University of Cambridge after getting seven A*s and four As.

He said: “I was so nervous this morning. Then I saw my friend’s grades and I thought I just have to beat him.”

Andreea Gruia, 16, from Ilford, got three A*s and four As, despite only starting to learn English three years ago.

She said: “Of course I am very happy. I want to be a lawyer, I want to change people’s lives.”

Headteacher Andy Rehling commented: “I am very proud, particularly of someone like Gunj and Andreea who came here with very little English and achieved magnificent results.”

Three quarters of grades at Woodford County High School, in High Road, Woodford Green, were A* and A.

Headteacher Jo Pomeroy said: “GCSE results are strong across the board again this year.

“The Key Stage 4 curriculum here is deliberately broad and girls are now well placed to choose their more specialised programmes for the sixth form.”

More than a quarter of GCSEs at Cranbrook School, in Mansfield Road, Ilford, were A* to A, with 93pc of pupils getting five or more A* to C GCSEs, with English and Maths.

Executive principal, David Morrison, said: “I am delighted with this upsurge in GCSE success “I am delighted with this upsurge in GCSE success.

“This performance has shown what hard work and dedication can achieve.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to all pupils and staff for this excellent achievement.”