Students from Norlington Sixth Form are jumping for joy after getting top marks and securing their places at their first choice university.

The Leyton school took a big jump this year from the previous year’s results, with 83 per cent of students getting A*-B grades and 57pc getting A*-A grades.

That’s up from last year’s figures which were 69pc and 40pc respectively.

Half of the students are attending a Russell Group University with many students securing their first choice.

Denis Elezi, 18, got A*s across the board in Computer Science, Maths and Economics.

Originally from Italy, when Denis came to the school in Year 9 he could barely speak English.

After he traded the Florence countryside for Leyton he initially couldn’t get into computer science back then but after sheer hard work, dedication and help from his teachers he has secured a spot to study Computer Science at UCL.

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He applauded the work of all the teachers and students for getting through a very challenging year.

He said: “It was a lot of hard work but we all pulled through. Everyone deserves a round of applause for getting through this year.”

He added that he was very thankful to the teachers at Norlington for their creative online lessons and for keeping them caught up despite all the changes throughout the pandemic.

Another student who got top marks was Arsalan Naveed, 18, from Leyton, who got A*s in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.

He said it “feels great” to be able to study Pharmacy at Kings College, which was his first choice school.

He added: “It’s been a big change this year but the teachers handled it really well and they gave quality lessons.”

Vivienne Nanfuka, 18, from Leyton, will be joining Arsalan studying Pharmacy at Kings College after she got AAA in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.

She said: “It’s been a very long and tough year and it was very hard to keep on top of my grades but in the end I pulled it through.

She said she was grateful to have such a great head of sixth form and head of year to get her here.

Umeira Fakun is taking a gap year after getting an A* in English Literature and As in Economics and Religious Studies.

She was surprised at how well she did in English Literature and after heading to Mauritius for a holiday she is considering studying Law.

She said: “I’m really glad I came to Norlington because the support I got here was better than I could have gotten at any other sixth form.”

Hasheer Peeroo, 18, Leyton, said his teachers were amazing for helping him get an A* in Business and As in Maths and Economics.

Carl Wadey, Vice Principal at Norlington School for Boys said: “We are so proud of how successful our Year 13 students have been, and they have earned the right to be proud of their achievements. Despite the challenges that our Year 13 have faced, due to school closure and the cancellation of exams, they have all demonstrated resilience and have been great role models for our younger students.They are going to some fantastic Universities to study a wide range of courses, with half of them going a Russell Group University. We wish them the very best of luck for the future.”