Following the much anticipated grading changes to GCSEs, three quarters of students at Westminster Academy were celebrating achieving the benchmark grade of a pass at GCSE.

Overall 78per cent of students achieved grades 9 to 4 grades – the equivalent of A* to C under the new system – in maths and 88pc in English language and literature.

Further successes include science, in which 85pc of students achieved a C or above, and further additional science in which 90pc of students achieved a C or above.

Top performer, Maria-Minodora Grosu achieved eight qualifications at grade A or above, with 9s in English language, English literature and maths.

“I feel quite overwhelmed,” she said. “I worked hard but really didn’t expect these results, especially in Maths.”

Maria achieved her outstanding English grades despite arriving in the UK only two years ago and speaking English as a second language. She now looks forward to taking on IB English and History, along with four other subjects, when she starts the International Diploma Programme (IBDP) in September.

Joining Maria on the IBDP will be fellow student Murkabh Abdulhamid, who will be celebrating his nine A+ qualifications, including A*s in science, further additional science and history, and 9 in English literature, in Malaysia.

He had this advice for next year’s Year 11: “Concentrate in class; keep that in mind and you will do well.”

Namuun Sandog Ochir, after dreaming she was going to fail, was delighted with her 12 GCSE passes, particularly her A* in Latin. She added, “Believe in yourself.”

As the first year group to contend with the new exams, students were even more nervous than usual this morning, keen that their results do justice to five years of hard work at the Academy.

Principal Dr Saima Rana said: “While adopting a new grading system has been a challenge, at Westminster Academy our students and staff thrive on challenges and I am thrilled to see our students achieving results that open doors to exciting future pathways.

“Congratulations to the Class of 2017, and to the parents, carers, staff, sponsors, governors and community and business partners who have given students their invaluable support throughout their education at Westminster Academy.”