SCHOOLS across Thurrock are celebrating improved GCSE results.

Gable Hall School in Corringham netted its best ever results with 97 per cent of students gaining five or more higher grades, up on last years 92 per cent, and 60 per cent of students achieving five A*-C grades -including English and Maths.

The overall percentage of A and A* grades shot up to a record 23 per cent and 25 pupils got eight or more A and A*'s.

Headmaster John King said: “I am delighted a fantastic year group obtained the results they richly deserved.

“A huge well done to the young people themselves, their parents for such tremendous support and my staff for their teaching excellence.”

Grays School Media Arts College saw 31 per cent of pupils achieving five or more A*-C grades, including English and Maths, and a record 60 per cent of pupils gaining five or more A*-C grades.

Head teacher Lynn Ibeji said: ““This is a truly gold medal performance- we have surpassed our best ever rating from last year by at least four per cent and with a large number gaining A* and A passes.”

Pupil Ben Collins, 16, of Rectory Road, Little Thurrock, got three A’s, two B’s, four C’s and an E.

He said: “I’m very pleased, I did better in some of the subjects than I thought I would.

“My parents will be very pleased.

“I’m going to study BTEC Technical Theatre at Barking College now.”

Fellow pupil Ayomide Osonowo, 16, from Salisbury Road in Grays, achieved the A’S an A*, four B’s and one C.

He said: “I’m so pleased.

“I did better than I expected to, I prayed everyday!”

Soni Virdi, 16, of Arthur Street in Grays got an A*, two A’s, two B’s and three C’s.

She said: “I’m really pleased with my results, my parents will be too.

“I’m off to Palmer’s College to study Law, Psychology, Business Studies and Communication Studies.

“I’ll be sad to leave here but at least lots of my friends are going to Palmer’s.”

Afsana Ishrat, 16, of Bridge Road in Grays, got an A three B’s, two C’s and a D.

She said: ”I’m planning to go to Palmer’s to study Psychology, English Language, Law and Geograpghy.

“My parents will be pleased with my results, especially the A. I felt so nervous today but now I’m really pleased.”

Results at The Gateway Academy in Tilbury rose for the fourth year in a row, and the school is celebrating an 82 per cent improvement on last year.

It saw 31 per cent of students achieving 5 or more A*-C passes, including English and maths, and 78 per cent of students achieving five or more A*-C passes.

Principal Kevin Sadler said: “I’m delighted to have seen such an increase in our GCSE results. It is great to see students’ increased pride in their school performance, and their hard work is fully reflected in these fantastic results.”

Jade Hall, 16, one of the school’s highest achievers said: “I really can’t believe that these are my results, I’ve done so much better than I thought I would!”

Grays Convent High School saw 74.4 per cent of students achieving five or more A*-C grades, and 64.5 per cent of pupils achieving five or more A*-C passes including English and Maths.

Deputy head teacher Dawn Collis said: “We are delighted with our GCSE results. They are a tribute to the hard work of our pupils and teachers and the support given by our parents.”