A secondary school is celebrating after its students were awarded for their outstanding GCSE results after overcoming personal challenges.

Four students from Leytonstone School in Colworth Road, Leytonstone, were presented with prizes at the Pixl Awards in Westminster on Thursday, September 22.

This year saw the school achieve its highest ever GCSE grades, with 76 per cent of students obtaining between a C grade and an A*grade in English and maths.

Madalina Gheorghita, who moved to the UK from Romania speaking very little English at the end of Year 10, achieved A* and A grades in Maths, French and Sciences.

Oliver McCormick-Rust overcame major personal challenges throughout Year 11 and with the support of his mother and teachers passed his GCSEs and is now undertaking a sports science course.

Adam Mahmood, who missed a lot of school, worked extra hard to catch up and achieved a C grade or higher in nine GCSEs and is now preparing to sit his A-levels.

Eunice Neto, who is one of the first members of her family to attend university, achieved three A* grades in her GCSEs, with her Drama grade being one of the highest in the country.

She has now set her sights on a career in politics.

Head teacher Grainne Smyth said despite challenges, with hard work and determination the students beat the odds and achieved success.

She said: “This was an opportunity for schools to share the success in their GCSE results but more importantly to acknowledge students who achieved outstanding results despite the difficult personal challenges they had to endure.

“We are exceptionally proud of our students. They have shown that they can overcome the toughest of obstacles.

“Whether students have achieved success or not in the past, they can still achieve if we believe in them, have high expectations of them and support them all the way.

“Eunice, Oliver, Madalina and Adam show what is possible with hard work and commitment.

“They undoubtedly will go on from strength to strength after this success.”