EMOTIONS were running high this morning as students across Chingford and Waltham Forest picked up their A-Level results.

Making your last ever journey to school to tear open those brown envelopes has become a rite of passage for every Year 13 student.

The success stories began at Highams Park School, which celebrated a new record for the percentage of students getting A*-B grades, with 71 per cent bagging a C or above.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Sir George Monoux College student Suniya.

Seven students achieved at least three A* and A grades, with head boy Leo Cordery-Smith achieving A* grades in Maths, Further Maths and Physics.

The bright spark will be going on to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol.

Sam Sheppard is taking his Mathematical talents to the States with a place at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania after gaining A*A*A.

Students continued the school’s impressive track record in vocational qualifications, with eleven students out of 21, achieving D*D* in their BTEC Business Diploma.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Sir George Monoux College student Haroon.

Daniaal Latif achieved D*D* in both his Business and his IT Networking BTEC courses and is taking a gap year before applying to university.

The school’s principal Phil Grundy was suitably delighted with the results.

He said: “This set of results continues the upward trajectory of outcomes at Highams Park Sixth Form.

"I would like to congratulate all of the students and teachers who have worked so hard together to achieve this, truly fulfilling our motto of ‘Success through our endeavours’.”

Leyton Sixth Form College is celebrating a 99 per cent pass rate once again.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Sir George Monoux College student Tyra.

Over half of students achieved top A*, A and B grades or the vocational equivalent, with an increase of 22 per cent for those gaining the very highest grades.

Principal Gill Burbridge said: "We are proud that the College continues to help students of all educational backgrounds reach their potential and we celebrate each and every individual performance."

Students at Walthamstow Academy were in high spirits with some students taking up places at the country’s top universities.

Overall 39 per cent of results were awarded A*-B and 70% were A*-C.

Leah Thomas achieved an A and two Bs and is going to study Law at Kings College London.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Sir George Monoux College student Suniya.

She said: “For as long as I can imagine I’ve wanted this and finally after years of hard work, I can now say I’ve reached it. It feels amazing to make people proud. To study law was my dream and now I’m on my way.”

Tommy Quinga Pujota came away an impressive triple Distinction* and a C in Spanish.

He said: "I’m heading for a new chapter in my life, hoping for more challenges and adventures.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Sir George Monoux College student Aahad.

“I was always encouraged by my teachers not to give up. I have worked hard and now I am going to study Spanish and Business at Queen Mary University which is wonderful.”

Heathcote School and Science College, in Chingford, are celebrating their best ever set of results ever.

An impressive 48 per cent of students came away with A*-B grade and a 98 per cent pass rate.

The Head Boy Yousef Maait waited up all night for an early phone call from retiring Headteacher, Zoe Cozens, to confirm his four A*s and his place to read Medicine at Cambridge.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Sir George Monoux College student Ashar.

Incoming Headteacher, Emma Hillman, shared in the excitement and said: “Huge congratulations to all the students on this best ever set of results.

“I know that everyone has worked phenomenally hard and these results reflect the ethos and commitment of the staff and students at this fully inclusive sixth form.”