Pupils the length and breadth of Islington are celebrating their GCSE results today.

Overall figures for the borough show around 60 per cent managed the benchmark five A* to C grades including maths and English.

This represents a drop of three per cent from last summer, but GCSEs have undergone reform in the last 12 months and year on year comparisons are difficult.

Nationwide, 68.8 per cent of pupils reached A* to C not including English and maths, an increase of 0.7 per cent on the previous year.

The pass rate for core subject English language was down across the country as a whole.

Cllr Joe Caluori, Islington Council’s executive member for children and families, said: “It is difficult to compare this year to last due to the overhaul of the exam system. Many schools and local authorities have seen variations in results from previous years.”

He added: “We are really pleased with the results and will continue to support the schools in helping the students achieve great marks.”

Cllr Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council, said: “It’s excellent to see Islington students gain some top-class marks.

“It’s our aim that all the schools in Islington provide the young people with the support they need to achieve the best they can.

“It’s important that we help them go on to do things they really want whether it be further education or apprenticeships.”