For A*-B grades, the borough’s results were up by 13.0% compared to 2019. For A*-C grades, LBBD is above the national average at 78.6%, an improvement of 11.4% compared to 2019.

This year’s results are the best ever for the borough excluding the pandemic years (2020-22) where special arrangements were made. The Government decided that, nationally, results would return to 2019 levels this year.

Despite the disruption to their learning due to the pandemic, Barking and Dagenham pupils have demonstrated their resilience with another year of exceptional exam results. In many cases, these have defied national trends.

Robert Clack School achieved their highest ever A-Level, Vocational and Tech Level qualification results since examinations returned post pandemic. Robert Clack pupils bucked the national trend with nearly nine in ten students being offered places at their first-choice university. Nearly a third of pupils achieved the ‘Gold Standard’ grades of AAB or above. Five Robert Clack School students got the grades they needed to go on and study at Oxford and Cambridge.

It was a fantastic year for Eastbury Community School, with students from the school off to several Russell Group universities to study subjects such as: Maths, Biochemistry and Law. Most impressive of all is that this year’s students achieved a higher percentage of A*-B’s and A*-C’s than the last year of students before the pandemic.

Jo Richardson Community School enjoyed a fantastic results day with several heartwarming individual success stories. Impressively, three students achieved three straight A* grades, with two BTEC students also receiving the highest possible mark of three starred Distinctions.

The Sydney Russell School had lots to be proud of too with two of their students securing places at Cambridge to study Medicine. Students from the school will be going on to many wide ranging and well respected institutions to study courses on Aerospace Engineering, PPE, Computer Science and much more.

Pupils and staff at Riverside School were able to reflect on another successful year for A-Level students. More than half of those getting their results today bagged their places at Russell Group and national top 30 universities. Equally successful were Riverside School’s BTEC Level 3 students who achieved an average grade of Distinction*. Riverside School pupils can also celebrate gaining degree level apprenticeships with top employers like the Royal Navy, BT and Ofcom.

Barking Abbey School achieved a phenomenal set of results that defied the national trend with students achieving higher grades than those in 2019. Seven Barking Abbey School pupils are going on fully paid sports scholarships in America and nearly three in five students are going to Russell Group universities.

Also defying the national average were Dagenham Park School pupils, where results in Psychology and Sociology went above the average A*-A grades. Students from Dagenham Park School also booked their places in prestigious institutions such as Queen Mary University, Kings College London and LSE.

All Saints Catholic School students helped continue the school’s positive trajectory with another high performing year. Students from All Saints Catholic School will be going on to study subjects like Economics, Computer Science and Veterinary Sciences at places like Imperial College London, Cambridge, Bristol and more. Pupils from the school also secured apprenticeships in fields including Electrical Engineering and Architecture.

Cllr Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said: “This has been a fantastic day for students right across the borough, students who have faced unprecedented disruption in their education but have shown true Barking and Dagenham spirit by persevering and achieving some wonderful grades.

“We’re committed to making sure that every pupil in this borough gets the chance to achieve their dreams, so seeing so many of our young people going on to institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge, as well as prestigious work placements and apprenticeships, shows that we’re giving our youngsters what they need to succeed.

“My message to the borough’s young people is that you can do anything you put your mind to, and we will be there to give you the tools you need to do well.”

Lisa Keane, Jo Richardson Community School Headteacher and Vice Chair of Secondary Heads, speaking on behalf of the borough’s headteachers, said: “We are extremely proud of the achievements of our students across the borough.

“Despite disruptions and lost learning time due the pandemic and industrial action, they have achieved some excellent results and showed real resilience.”

Roger Leighton, speaking on behalf of ASCL – the Headteachers’ Association, said: “A-Level and Vocational results day is always a special moment, but this year’s cohort has had a very difficult few years - suffering from all the disruption that the COVID pandemic brought to their education.”

“Everybody involved should be proud of what they have achieved, and we wish all the young people receiving their results today every success for the future.”

Tony Roe, Headteacher of Barking Abbey School, said: “This group of young people have been through so much and yet they have triumphed.

“Our staff have been magnificent at every step of the way and this continued success is a team effort we can all be proud of.”

Robert Clack School pupil, Mahadia, said: “I am thankful to my amazing teachers and to my dear friends.

“I am so happy that after achieving A*A*A*, I will study Biomedical Science at the University of Warwick.”

Eastbury Community School student, Sufyan, who is going on to study Architecture at London South Bank University, said: “I am going to celebrate this moment with friends and family, following all the had work I’ve done this year.”

Russell Taylor, Executive Headteacher at Robert Clack School, said: “More Robert Clack students than ever have secured places at the country’s top universities or degree apprenticeships at leading multinational companies.

“I am exceptionally grateful to our committed and hardworking colleagues who have provided magnificent support to our students.”

Andrew Roberts, Headteacher at Riverside School, said: “The standard has now been reset in England to pre-covid levels, yet these amazing Riverside students demonstrated the drive, determination and resilience to still excel in the most challenging of circumstances.

“We wish them much deserved success in their next exciting phase of life.”

Clare Cantle, Headteacher at All Saints School, said: “I would like to applaud our hard working and brilliant young people.

“We are delighted that so many of our students have decided to continue their studies at fantastic places of learning like Cambridge and other Russell Group universities following years of rigorous study.”