It was a day of celebration for Seven Kings High School as sixth formers arrived to collect their A-level results.

More than half of pupils at the school, in Ley Street, Seven Kings, achieved grades A* to B, and 70 per cent gained grades A* to C in another year of very good results.

Sarfraz Patel, 18, said he was “ecstatic and elated” to receive two A* grades and an A in history, English literature and politics.

“I didn’t expect it at all. I thought I was going to get a C in history. It was a very hard A-Level.”

He is going on to study politics and international relations at Queen Mary University.

Ravinder Dhanday, 18, was both delighted and relieved with her A*, A and B.

“This year was so much harder than last year. All the exam papers were harder, the grade boundaries have gone higher for some reason,” she said.

She has been offered a place to study maths at King’s College London.

“We are absolutely delighted once again that Seven Kings is supporting students in achieving their potential and realising their aspirations,” said Tracy Smith, executive headteacher.

“Behind these grades are inspiring stories of our young people’s resilience, passion and commitment to their studies.

“86pc of students are expected to accept university places today including offers to Oxbridge and America.

“This is a partnership between students, parents and teachers who have enthusiastically responded to the challenges of the new linear examinations.”

Ameera Rahman, 18, was happy with her results and is looking forward to studying English at Queen Mary after a difficult round of exams.

She described them as “really hard and very intense” but in the end all the hard work paid off.

Lade Salam, 18, told the Recorder she was thrilled to have been offered a place to study radiography at Cardiff University.

“I’m pretty proud considering I juggled four A-levels for the two years.”

A reminder to head to our dedicated A-level site by clicking here.Send your pictures and stories to ralph.blackburn@archant.co.uk and tweet us @IlfordRecorder with the hashtag #Redbridgeresults.