Two fifths of pupils at Forest Gate Community School were rewarded with an A or A* grade in their GCSEs this year.

The specialist business school, in Forest Lane, celebrated a record breaking 73.1 per cent pass rate when mathematics and English is included.

Its overall pass rate was also up by seven points year on year to 61 per cent.

Among the success stories was aspiring heart surgeon Urvi Patel from Forest Gate (pictured), who bagged five A* grades in Spanish, biology, physics, English literature and mathematics.

Headteacher Simon Elliott was delighted by the improvement.

He said: “These results are what we have worked and hoped for, but you’re never quite sure until results day.

“I think we can safely say that we have made a difference. We’re moving forwards and upwards.”

Its most successful subjects were mathematics, French, ICT, Spanish, and business, with pass rates ranging between 77 and 99 per cent.

West Ham MP, Lyn Brown sent her best wishes: “I’d like to congratulate pupils, staff and parents on the excellent GCSE results.

“The hard work of pupils at Forest Gate Community School, and across West Ham, has been rewarded.”