DESPITE the difficult and unprecedented circumstances, there was laughter and happy tears at St Clere's School today as GCSE students collected their results.

Staff at the Stanford-le-Hope school were on hand and 'delighted' to greet and welcome back students under social distancing guidelines and congratulate them on their success.

Some of the highlights at St Clere's were 77% of pupils achieving grade 4-9 in English and maths with progress scores which are well above average. 100 per cent of pupils who studied triple sciences, drama and PE and Business Studies achieved passes.

And English Baccalaureate (EBacc) results have remain well above national figures.

St Clere's headteacher Mrs Ashlie Hughes said: "In what has been a unique year, our students have worked extremely hard, with their teachers' continued support throughout this crisis. They have achieved some stunning GCSE results which will set them well on their way to future career success.

"It is difficult to pick out particular names among so much success but some of the highest attainment in the school was achieved by Abdullah Abbassi (2 Grade 9s and 2 Grade 8s), Charlotte Caddle (1 Grade 9, 1 Distinction*, 6 Grade 8s and 3 Grade 7s), Faith Hannan (6 Grade 9s and 4 Grade 8s), Jessica Ingram (8 Grade 9s, 1 Grade 8 and 1 Grade 7), Katie Lee (3 Grade 9s, 4 Grade 8s and 1 Grade 7), Amelia Micklewright (4 Grade 9s, 5 Grade 8s and 1 Grade 7), Harry Ravindran (3 Grade 9s, 4 Grade 8s, and 2 Grade 7s) and Callum Burkey (1 Grade 9, 5 Grade 8s, 2 Grade 7s).

"Our highest progress scores were achieved by Jarik Meah and Vanessa Osagie."

Duo delighted with their results: See video here.