Students across Barking and Dagenham had reason to celebrate today as they picked up their GCSE results. 

Once again, students in the borough had plenty to be proud of, as they achieved some of the top grades in the country. 

For the second year running, exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Teachers awarded grades using marked assignments, coursework, and mock exam results as part of a robust framework to ensure fairness and accuracy in line with government guidance.

Many of the young people are opting to stay on in their school's sixth form. Barking Abbey has enrolled 265 young people so far, and Robert Clack has over 220 pupils staying in their sixth form.

Pupil, Michael Dirokpa, at All Saints School celebrated the best possible outcome, as he discovered he had been awarded an outstanding ten grade nine results. 

Over at Eastbrook School, Samuel Ratford also achieved ten grade nines, and Juma Shikdar was awarded eight grade nine marks. In the CACHE childcare course, more than half of the students achieved an A* or A grade.

"After a great deal of hard work during what has been an uncertain and challenging year, it's excellent that the young people and their families have something to celebrate and look forward to."

Eastbury Community School saw 17 of their pupils achieving grades seven to nine in all subjects, with over 50% of students achieving the higher grades in at least one subject.

Jo Richardson Community School also had a number of pupils gaining top grades, including one pupil achieving an excellent nine grade nines and one grade eight. The team are overjoyed with the achievements of pupils after such a challenging year.

All schools placed importance on supporting young people's mental health and wellbeing during what has been a tough time for the young people and their families as two years of their education have been disrupted. 

David Dickson, Chair of Barking and Dagenham Secondary Heads, commented: "Huge congratulations to all students for making superb progress and for their fantastic results. 

"They have worked harder than ever in the extraordinarily difficult circumstances of the past 18 months and the most challenging times since the second world war. 

"Not only have they achieved brilliant results, but they have shown they great resilience and become highly adaptable, flexible and independent learners. 

"These are the very skills needed for success in the 21st Century."

Councillor Evelyn Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said: "It was a privilege to meet some of the young people as they got their GCSE results.

"After a great deal of hard work during what has been an uncertain and challenging year, it's excellent that the young people and their families have something to celebrate and look forward to.

"My thanks go to all staff in our schools, who have worked tirelessly to support pupils."

Headteachers have also paid tribute to the whole school community, including teachers, teaching assistants, administrative staff, cleaning staff, site staff and volunteers who have come together to ensure the best outcomes for young people.

Roger Leighton, ASCL representative (Headteachers Association) added: "We must all applaud the efforts of GCSE students - supported by staff and parents - who have worked so hard to achieve an impressive set of GCSE results in the Borough this Summer. 

"Schools have worked flat out to ensure that the grades are accurate based on tough assessment evidence, including classwork, homework, coursework and in-school tests; these assessments have then been subject to multiple layers of checking. 

"Students - and the wider community - should therefore have confidence that this year's grades are a fair reflection of students' effort and ability."

The council and schools work closely with Barking & Dagenham College. Yvonne Kelly, Principal, made the following statement: “Young people have been through an incredibly tough time through the pandemic. 

“They have shown resilience and maturity beyond their years; each and every person receiving their results should feel incredibly proud of their achievements.”