Despite a drop throughout much of of the country, south Essex schools celebrated a successful GCSE results day yesterday.

The Deanes School in Thundersley celebrated an improved year for GCSE examination results.

The percentage of students attaining the equivalent ofthe old 5A* to C grades, including English and maths has improved by 7 per cent.

There were a number of individual successes at all ability levels and behind every set of examination results there was a personal story of hard work, commitment and perseverance which the school celebrated.

The Deanes can also celebrate success in English with the percentage of students attaining a good pass or above improving by 4 per cent, and similarly in maths by 11 per cent.

Echo:

Headteacher, Desi McKeown, was absolutely delighted with the hard work the students and staff put in and felt the school had set the students up well for the next stage

He said: “We have worked very hard with students this year to ensure that the progress that they make is good, based on their individual starting point.

“We are able to celebrate this progress with our students.

“These results now allow the students to take the next step in education or training.”

The Appleton School in Benfleet also had another successful set of results

Headteacher, Karen Kerridge, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to see such wonderful individual and school results.

Echo:

“A number of students have gained a grade 9, which is the highest, in the three main subjects – English, English literature and maths.

“That is an outstanding achievement by our students - and we are very proud of them.

“I would like to say congratulations to all the students and staff for their hard work over the last two years.”

The 2017 results were some of the best ever results at Cornelius Vermuyden School on Canvey.

Headteacher Carol Skewes congratulated the students and staff for their hard work and dedication at a time of major change for the GSCE qualifications.