Hassenbrook Academy students celebrated this morning as the GCSE results came in.

Forty-eight per cent of students achieved overall A* to C passes, with thirty-two per cent achieving five A* - C including English and Mathematics.

The school also said the Ebacc pass rate stood at a ‘respectable’ 27 per cent with the indicative progress 8 figure keeping the school above floor standards.

A spokesman for the school said there was a “determined optimism” at the school after a year of “significant change.”

Interim Headteacher Sue Rollason said: “I’m very proud of our students today and we have got some notable successes.

“There’s a nice atmosphere in the school this morning, and we know what we need to do to tackle the challenges which lie ahead."

The Academy was taken out of special measures in June this year, and branded "fit for purpose" by Ofsted inspectors.

Mrs Rollason added: “We are taking the required actions to ensure that all Hassenbrook students get a fair deal going forward and improvement plans are firmly in place to raise achievements and aspirations, notably in English.

“Hassenbrook students deserve no less, and we are proud of the strong performances of our students in Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, Geography and Art.”

Some of the outstanding success stories from the school included Amy Graham, 16, from Chadwell St. Mary, who said: “I’m surprised but very pleased.” when she found out she had achieved four As, four Bs and three grade Cs at GCSE.  Amy plans to study Performing Arts and A-Level Dance.

Highest achiever Gracie Wheddon got 3 A*s, 4 As, 4 Bs, 1 C. She said: "It hasn't really sunk in to be honest! I'm really, really happy. You spend ages thinking you didn't get it - then to find you did get it is really overwhelming."

Jonathan Kamau, 16, from Tilbury, said: “I’m feeling really good and I’m happy with my results” when he found out he had achieved one A*, four As, five Bs and two Cs at GCSE. 

Jonathan plans to study Maths, Physics and Economics at college and would like to go on to be an actuarial scientist or aerospace engineer.

Rita Figueiredo, 16, of Jesmond Road, Grays got 13 GCSEs including one A* in Maths, four As, one B and six Cs.

She said: “I’m feeling proud of myself. All that hard work has paid off, after all those nights stressing!”

Rita is going to Palmers next to study Double Maths, Economics and Geography.

George Coxshall, 16, from Grays, said: “I am happy overall and pleased that five years of hard work has paid-off,” when he found out that he had achieved two A*s, five As, four Bs and one C at GCSE. 

George plans to study Law, Economics and History.

Hassenbrook Academy is set to join the Stanford and Corringham Schools Trust in a few days on September 1, a change which is hoped will bring some support to the school.