Barking and Dagenham Council said the borough’s pupils got the best GCSE results in its history —excluding the years affected by the Covid pandemic.
The borough’s Attainment 8 score, which measures performance across eight GCSE-level qualifications, rose by more than 1.5 per cent compared to last year.
The proportion of students earning 9-4 grades in English and maths increased by two per cent, while the percentage achieving 9-7 grades in English reached a record high.
Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, cabinet member for educational attainment and school improvement, said: “Despite all of the challenges faced by this cohort of students, we’ve still been able to provide them with an excellent educational foundation.
“I’ve been delighted to see so many wonderful results across the borough, and I wish all of the young people who received their grades the very best for the future.”
At Jo Richardson Community School in Dagenham, almost 70 per cent of students achieved grades 4-9 in English and maths.
One student earned eight grade 9s and one grade 8.
Becky Morris, assistant headteacher, said: “Many of our students will be continuing their journey at our sixth form and we look forward to welcoming lots of them back in September.
“We would like to congratulate all our students on their success this summer and we wish them all the very best in the next stage of their education.”
Greatfields School in Barking recorded its best results since the return to standard grading in 2023, with a four per cent rise in 9-4 grades.
Headteacher Richard Paul, who also chairs the borough’s secondary headteachers group, said: “It is important to remember how disrupted this cohort were by Covid.
“They were in year 6 during the first lockdown, and their transition to secondary school was extremely challenging as a result.
“They faced further disruption in year 7 due to the subsequent lockdowns.
“Despite the challenges they have faced, they have produced a strong set of results which have seen an overall increase from last year.
“This is in contrast to a national context which appears to show a plateauing and in some cases a decrease in some key measures.”
Riverside School in Barking saw more than a third of all grades at 9-7 and more than 80pc of students achieving 9-4 in English and maths.
Headteacher Andrew Roberts said: “We’re celebrating our best GCSE exam attainment ever and are so proud of our students for their hard work, often in the face of adversity.
“They have mustered up huge resilience to achieve this excellent set of results.”
Barking Abbey School also recorded its highest GCSE results to date.
Tony Roe, headteacher at Barking Abbey, said: “They’ve never done formal exams before and started with us in the midst of Covid.
“Since then, we have seen them grow in confidence and ability and then achieve these amazing set of results.”
Among the school’s high achievers were a girl who earned ten grade 9s.
At Eastbury Community School in Barking, more than 60pc of students secured grade 4 or above in both English and maths, with 38pc achieving grade 5 or above in both subjects.
Ten per cent of students earned at least one grade 9.
Sharon Gladman, executive headteacher at Eastbury, said: “These results are a credit to the students themselves, their families, and our dedicated staff who have supported them every step of the way.
“We look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve next.”
Sydney Russell School in Dagenham saw 170 students earning grades 9-7, and more than 60pc achieving the same in drama and music.
Principal Clare Cross said: “We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of all of our students who now have what they need to access the next stage of their education, training or employment, with many progressing into our sixth form to study a range of A-level subjects.”
All Saints Catholic School in Dagenham recorded its highest ever 9-4 grades.
Headteacher Clare Cantle said: “We could not be prouder of our students’ achievements.
“They have worked with resilience, hope, and ambition, supported by outstanding teachers who go above and beyond.”
Robert Clack School in Dagenham also reported its best results to date.
More than 75pc of students achieved grades 9-4, well above the national average.
Russell Taylor, executive headteacher, said: “I am thrilled that we have sustained year-on-year improvement, and with our largest-ever cohort of 480 pupils.
“I want to express my gratitude to our staff, governors and parents for their unwavering dedication to our children.”
