GCSE results: St Angela’s Ursuline headteacher praises staff and students for meeting ‘rising challenge’

St Angela's pupils (L-R back row): Catherine Henryanto, Daniela Cabatay, Alin Gonsalves and Tharsa Suriyakanthan. Front row (L-R): Rhiane Cubita and Kaithlene Espiritu. Picture: Jon King (Image: Archant)

The secondary in St George's Road, Forest Gate, celebrated three-quarters of pupils achieving standard grade 4 passes in English and maths with more than half of youngsters getting a "strong pass" (grade 5).

Mark Johnson, headteacher, said: "Whilst the examinations are clearly getting harder, I am really pleased all the hard work of the students and staff has paid off in the first full year of the new grading system to meet the rising challenge.

"Well done superstars!"

The school reported a quarter of all exams graded at 7 or better with "excellent" pass rates across departments including 100 per cent in art, 100pc in BTEC media, 88pc in English, 81pc in maths and 83pc in history.

Kaithlene Espiritu and Catherine Henryanto are among St Angela's top-achievers. Picture: Jon King (Image: Archant)

This is the third year of results for the new-style GCSEs in England which put more emphasis on final exam results.

The old A* to G grades have been replaced with a scale going from the top grade 9 down to 1.

Tharsa Suriyakanthan, 16, scooped four 9s, five 8s, two 7s and a 6. She is now planning to stay on to do her A-levels.

"It means I can come back to a school I want to go to. I didn't want to leave St Angela's," she said.

Alin Gonsalves and Tharsa Suriyakanthan plan to study A-levels next. Picture: Jon King (Image: Archant)

Fellow pupil, Daniela Cabatay got three 9s, six 8s, two 7s and a six.

"I feel overwhelmed. I was up all night worrying. When I got [my results] I didn't really process them at first but I would say now that I'm proud of myself," Daniela, 16, said.

Alin Gonsalves scooped six 9s, five 8s and a 7. The 16-year old and her friends agreed the new GCSE exams caused a lot of stress - with some sitting more than 20 exams within four weeks - but said they felt supported by their school, parents and each other.

"It shows that if you work hard and understand what is expected, you can achieve anything you want to," Alin said.

Between them Rhiane Cubita and Daniela Cabatay scooped seven 9s, nine 8s, four 7s and four 6s. Picture: Jon King (Image: Archant)

Daniela added: "The school has always been really helpful, especially in times of stress. The teachers are really good at pushing you to reach your best."