“Fantastic” individual success stories stole the show at Highbury Grove School.

But headteacher Tom Sherrington admitted that while the school is on the up, it is still adapting to tougher exams.

Mr Sherrington, who has been head for one year, said: “We have lots of fantastic individual success stories and a strong retention to the sixth form.

“But phased changes to the exams, to make them more challenging, is having an impact on the overall scores. I think that’s needed, but at the same time it also makes it harder to get a C in maths or English.

“The trajectory is definitely on the up though, and we are looking forward to more improvement. I’m confident of success in the next few years as we get used to the new exam system.”

Head girl Ryanne Binns, 16, got 10 As, and will stay at the school to study computer science, biology, maths and geography at A-level.

She said: “I am really pleased. I wasn’t quite sure I would manage to get so many As because of the grade boundaries. I was extremely nervous when I opened the letter, but when I saw the As it was such a feeling of relief.”

Bleary eyed Griffin Knipe, 16, received four A*s and six As. He said: “I am really, really happy. I tried my hardest, but I still feel in shock. I woke up at 5am, and wasn’t able to sleep all night. But I feel much better now.”

Griffin will also stay at Highbury Grove for his A-levels: physics, maths, computer science and history.

Nuha Choudhury, 16, got seven As, two Bs and a C. Like Ryanne and Griffin, she will stay on to study biology, chemistry, maths and French at A-level.

She said: “I’m obviously very happy. I now feel I can do whatever I want. I couldn’t sleep last night but feel so relieved now.”