Significantly more pupils in Redbridge got higher grades in their English and maths GCSEs this summer, according to government figures for schools across the area.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has revealed measures for next year’s exams including “more generous grading” so young people whose learning has been disrupted by Covid-19 are not disadvantaged.

Redbridge Council has said the rise in grading is in line with last year's performance.

The National Education Union says the changes that will be put in place next year are welcome but late, and that the most disadvantaged students across England could miss more school as they are more likely to live in areas with higher infection levels.

Department for Education figures show 2,364 students in Redbridge got grades 5 or above in their English and maths GCSEs in the 2019-20 academic year – up from 2,195 the previous summer.

Grade 5 is roughly equivalent to a low B or a high C under the old GCSE grading system.

It means 62pc of pupils in the area achieved a strong pass in the subjects, 2.5 percentage points more than 59.5pc last year.

Across England, 49.9pc of young people got the higher grades – 6.7 percentage points above 43.2pc in 2018-19.

In Redbridge, the average score per pupil across five core subject areas – English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography – also rose slightly, from 4.83 to 5.

Nationally, the average rose from 4.07 to 4.38.

The Government performed a U-turn on grades earlier this year after exams were cancelled amid the pandemic.

Thousands of pupils had their results downgraded by an algorithm but were later given the option to use their teachers’ original predictions after widespread protests.

Cllr Elaine Norman, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We’re fortunate in Redbridge to have some of the highest performing schools in the country, so it stands to reason why our pupils always enjoy great academic success. The rise in the number of pupils achieving a strong pass and the increase of average points across five subjects is broadly in line with last year’s performance.

“We appreciate the unique set of circumstances these grades were awarded in, but that it makes it all the more remarkable. Our young people have shown great resilience and strength of character in what has been an incredibly tough year, and they should all be very proud of their achievements. We certainly are. Our schools are always improving, and that bodes well for further success next year.”

The DfE said the increase reflects the change in how grades were awarded rather than an improvement in standards.

The new measures for next year’s exams announced by Mr Williamson include more generous grading than usual, in line with the most recent results.

Students will get advance notice of some topics covered in their assessments, and those who miss exams due to illness or self-isolation will get a second chance to sit them.

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said the Government has “at last shown that it is beginning to understand the concerns of teachers, parents and students about next summer’s exams”.

"Disruption has continued for thousands of students with around 20pc of secondary students absent in the last week for which we have figures,” she said.

“What is even more concerning is that the students who are already the most disadvantaged are more likely to live in regions where there are high Covid-19 infection levels and are missing more schooling as a result.”

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the changes will make next year’s exams “as fair as they can be in the circumstances”.

He added: “It is not perfect – nothing can be, given the fact that learning has been so disrupted by coronavirus and that pupils have been affected to vastly different extents.”

Mr Williams said: “Exams are the best way of giving young people the opportunity to show what they can do, which is why it’s so important they take place next summer.

“But this isn’t business as usual. I know students are facing unprecedented disruption to their learning. That’s why exams will be different next year, taking exceptional steps to ensure they are as fair as possible.”