Over-achieving pupils in Tower Hamlets have bucked the national trend by posting improved GCSE results for yet another year.

Young people were, for the most part, delighted when their nervous wait for results ended at East End schools on Thursday.

Preliminary results from across the borough show a rise of almost three per cent in the number of candidates gaining five GCSEs – including English and maths – at grade C or above.

The proportion of pupils making the grade hit an all-time high of 64.8 per cent – up from 61.9 per cent last year.

Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman paid tribute to teachers and pupils who worked so hard to shatter average grades for another year.

“These results are a glowing endorsement of our young people and of our schools,” he said. “First our A-level results were the best ever – and now our GCSEs.

“While nationally the number of top grades is declining, the opposite is true in Tower Hamlets, which is fast building a reputation for educational excellence.”

In the UK as a whole, the proportion of entrants gaining top grades fell for the second year running, with teachers blaming grade “turbulence”.

And cabinet member for children, schools and families Cllr Oliur Rahman reassured those who had missed out on their targets that help was on hand.

“The trend for improved results is a wonderful testament to all the staff, students and parents who work tirelessly to help ensure the borough’s teenagers are given the best possible start in life,” he said.

“Congratulations to everybody involved in this success. For those young people who did not get the grades they hoped for, there is no need to despair because expert help is available.”

For help and advice, contact Tower Hamlets Council’s careers service on 020 7364 1401 or careers.service@towerhamlets.gov.uk.