Diligent students and dedicated teachers at schools across Castle Point have welcomed some of their best ever GCSE results.

Teenagers across the borough have been celebrating some amazing grades including two hardworking pupils who received exceptional results despite suffering from severe health problems.

At Castle View School on Canvey, head teacher Russell Sullivan praised this year's results as particularly good, with 32 per cent of pupils receiving at least five A*-C grades.

Mr Sullivan paid tribute to the three pupils who had excelled themselves.

Grace Pope, 16, of Stanford Road, Canvey, achieved an astonishing 17 GCSEs with grades A*-C.

Grace said, modestly: "I've worked hard so I thought I was going to do well, but I'm very pleased. I'd like to work in advertising so I focused on the subjects that I thought would help me to achieve this goal."

James Greenaway, 16, of Papenburg Road, Canvey, achieved 5As, 5Bs, 5Cs, and one D. James attended extra classes in the run up to his exams and managed to get a B in English, surpassing his predicted grade which was a D.

He said: "I slacked off at the beginning, but I pulled all the stops out in the end and it obviously paid off.

"I have surprised myself to be honest."

Lacey Munt, 16, of Holbeck Road, Canvey, succeeded despite suffering from severe kidney problems.

She got an A* in drama and seven Bs and seven Cs in other subjects.

Lacey said: "I've been in and out of hospital for months, but I was determined to take my GCSEs so I stayed behind after school to catch up."

The Cornelius Vermuyden School and Arts College in Canvey received the best GCSE results to date, with 55 per cent of its students receiving 5A*-C - GCSEs; and 96 per cent received five A*-Gs. Only one student failed to get any GCSEs.

Headteacher Carol Skewes, said: "We are incredibly proud and delighted to be able to announce the best ever results that our pupils have ever achieved in the school's history! This is a credit to the hard work of the pupils, parents and staff. Our teachers work hard to encourage our students to achieve their best and we wish them every success in the future.

"Our school is an environment where pupils can excel and realise their full potential."

Student Bobbie Barrett received 14 A*-C grades. He said: "I am ecstatic. I was shaking! I am so pleased with my result, they will really help me when I get to Seevic College to study A- Levels.

"I want to go on to study journalism at university and my English grade will really help me on my way."

The atmosphere at the King John School was equally jubilant, where 73 per cent of pupils received five A*-C grades including the important subjects of English and maths.

Deputy headteacher Clare Neaves, said: "We are thrilled with these results, which are the best the school has ever achieved.

"They are testament to the hard work and commitment of our students, their parents and staff. Both the English and maths departments have excelled, achieving over 80 per cent A*-C grades.

"Another innovation has been a fast-track French GCSE programme for our Year 8 pupils. We had a 100 per cent success rate with three A*s and 1A."

Rebecca Scott, 16, of Sayers Thundersley, achieved 7A*s, 2Bs and 1A and will return to the sixth form to embark upon science A levels. She hopes to become a vet.

Georgia Davis, 16, of the Avenue, Hadleigh, battled against eczema which at times was so painful she could not get out of bed, to achieve six As, 3Bs and 3Cs. She said: "I have been in and out of hospital with dermatology appointments and it got very painful around my neck so I was worried I wasn't going to be able to take my exams.

"However, I kept going and I'm very happy with my results."

Karen Kerridge of the Appleton School in Benfleet said 55 per cent of pupils at the school had achieved a grade A*-C, including in English and maths.

Mrs Kerridge said: "This is a fantastic year for us, with the best results we have ever had.

"Every single child got a GCSE, which for a mixed comprehensive, is a real achievement. There are so many children who have done well and we value every child at every grade."