STUDENTS and teachers at Beal High School were celebrating what were thought to be unprecedented results last week.

Colin Brown, exams officer at the school in Woodford Bridge Road, Clayhall, said: "We are really happy as this represents an improvement on last year's results.

"We need some time for the dust to settle but, in fact, these results look like the best ever."

In total, 76 per cent of GCSEs were passed with grades A* to C. Among the higher achieving students were Sam Shepherd, who scooped an impressive eleven A grades - three of them with star status.

He said: "I am really pleased. Some of the As I was expecting to be A stars and some of the A stars I thought would be As, but I am very happy."

Also celebrating was Samantha Wright who achieved four A*s and five As.