IT was another successful year at Roding Valley High School with a steady rise in the pass rate.

The Loughton school, in Alderton Hill, secured a five per cent rise in students gaining 5 A* to C grades and a similar rise in its overall pass rate.

Star pupil was Gabi Marona who received 9A*s and one A, and also achieved a 100 per cent pass mark in her English Literature exam.

Gabi, 16, from Loughton, said: “I was shocked. I nearly cried and I could hardly stand up I was shaking so much. I was predicted quite high grades so the pressure was on, but I'm really pleased. I'm going off to tell my mum.”

Gabi will now move on to take A levels at Woodford County High School with hopes to be a radiologist.

Chris Routledge, 16, from Loughton, also did well scoring 5 A*s ,3As and a B. He is moving on to West Hatch High School and hopes to be a biologist.

He said: “It's really good. I though I'd blown everything so it's a nice surprise.”

Molly Simcox, 16, from Loughton, hopes to pursue a career in fashion after gaining 3 A*s, 2 As, 2 Bs and a D.

She said: “I didn't think I was going to do this good , but I worked really hard.”

Headteacher Geoff Mangan said: “Coming on top of record achievements by our year 9 students in July, these are indeed promising times for Roding Valley High School thanks to the amazing commitment and dedication of staff, students, governors and parents.”