TODAY (Thursday, 24 August), the largest ever year group of St Clere's students received their GCSE results and the size of the smiles matched the enormity of the year group which had been expanded to cope with the borough-wide shortage of school places.

There were many success stories as pupils returned to the Stanford-le-Hope school and opened their anxiously-awaited results together. Teachers and parents celebrated with the young people as they gained their 'ticket' to their next exciting stage in life.

A few of the many notable successes seen in the pictures were: Keira Anderson, George Storey, Lucas Willett, who all achieved three grade 9s. Also, Cameron Machar, Teddy Marlow, Rafi Rahman and Ellie Spurling who achieved two grade 9s among their excellent set of GCSE results.

Mrs Ashlie Hughes, St Clere's Headteacher who is about to retire, said: "We are very proud of this year group. It has been an exciting, but not always easy, journey for them.

"They have shown that resilience and hard work pay off in the end.

"We look forward to many of the year group joining the sixth form along with other young people across the borough.

"September 2023 will see the first year group joining the St Clere's Sixth Form.

"Careers advisors were on hand to support the young people to plan their next steps; whether it be with St Clere's or elsewhere, we wish them every success."