Scenes of celebration played out across the borough as students collected their GCSE results. 

*Excluding years affected by the pandemic, these are the best GCSE results received in Barking and Dagenham history. 

On a day in which national average grades fell for GCSEs, Barking and Dagenham students posted some of their best ever results, bucking national trends. 

The Attainment 8 score (a measure of pupils' performance in 8 GCSE-level qualifications) across the borough was up by over 1.5 per cent on last year’s results. 

9-4 grades in English and Maths were up by two per cent. The average of those achieving the highest grades of 9-7 in English was up to its highest ever level.  

Jo Richardson Community School’s pupils’ hard work paid off as almost 70 per cent received grades 4-9 in English and Maths. High achievers at the school included Oskar who received eight grade 9s and one grade 8 and Aizeyosabo who achieved seven grade 9s, a grade 8 and a Distinction*. 

There was delight at Greatfields School which saw their best results since marking returned to normal levels in 2023. Achievement of grades 9-4 was up by 4%, beating the national average. 

At Riverside School, students celebrated another brilliant year with over a third of all grades being 9-7. Over four in five pupils achieved 9-4 grades in English and Maths meaning they’re able to take the next step on to a Level 3 course. 

Following on from record breaking A-Level results, Barking Abbey School enjoyed another day of success with every headline GCSE grade figure higher than in 2024. Special congratulations were in order for Zaynab who received a phenomenal ten grade 9s and Salil who received nine grade 9s. 

It was another strong year at Eastbury Community School – over three in five pupils achieved a grade 4 and above in both Maths and English, while 38 per cent of pupils gained a grade 5 and above in both subjects. Ten per cent of students got the highest grade 9 on at least one subject. 

Sydney Russell School students celebrated a great showing across scientific subjects with 170 students achieving grades 9-7, while over 60 per cent achieved the same grades in Drama and Music. 

One school enjoyed the best results in its history – All Saints Catholic School students achieved more 9-4 grades than ever before. Special praise is reserved for Amelia, whose flawless all 9 grades capped off a momentous day for the school. 

Robert Clack School, the largest comprehensive school in the country, also enjoyed their best ever results with increases in every key performance indicator. Grades 9-4 were up to over 75 per cent, well above the national average. 

Cllr 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. 

Richard Paul, Headteacher at Greatfields School and Chair of Secondary Headteachers, 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.” 

Russell Taylor, Executive Headteacher at Robert Clack School, 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.” 

Clare Cantle, Headteacher at All Saints Catholic School, 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.” 

Clare Cross, Principal at Sydney Russell School, 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.  

“These results are a credit to your hard work and determination to achieve your best.” 

Sharon Gladman, Executive Headteacher at Eastbury Community School, 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.” 

Tony Roe, Headteacher at Barking Abbey School, said: “They’ve never done formal exams before and started with us in midst of COVID.  

“Since then, we have seen them grow in confidence and ability and then achieve these amazing set of results.” 

Andrew Roberts, Headteacher at Riverside School, 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.” 

Becky Morris, Assistant Headteacher at Jo Richardson Community School, 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.”