There were more success stories from Jewish schools as the GCSE results were announced.

In Borehamwood, 87 per cent of Yavneh College's first group of GCSE candidates achieved five or more A*-C grades. Half of all exam grades were A* and A.

Elkie Ben Hur topped the pile with 10 A* grades and one A. Jessica Tray, Rachel Kass, Jordan Rinsler, Harry Moss, Jamie Nagioff, Natasha Banks, Shira Amir and Nicole Grossman all achieved 10 A* or A grades.

"These results place us among the top-performing schools in the country," noted Yavneh head Dena Coleman. "When these pupils entered year seven, standardised cognitive ability tests predicted that 68 per cent of them would achieve five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C.

"To have gone on to achieve 87 per cent is a remarkable outcome."

Immanuel College in Bushey reported that 54 per cent of exams were passed at grades A*-A, 77 per cent at grades A*-B and 90 per cent at grades A*-C. Top individual performers included Raz Benson (11 A*s), Joshua Cainer (nine A*s and two As) and Hilary Warrens (nine A*s and one A).

Head Philip Skelker said the results reflected the school's continuing contribution towards "preparing pupils for their chosen universities".

At King Solomon High in Redbridge, head teacher Spencer Lewis said pupils' performance was the best ever, with 88 per cent achieving five A*-C grades. Star students were Natasha Daniels (11 A*s) and Hannah Winston (10 A*s and one A).

Mr Lewis also observed that "grades have gone up every year for the last five years, which is a real testament to the hard work and commitment of staff. I am delighted for the students who have done so well - and in particular for the 15 who have a clean sweep of A* and A grades".

More than 85 per cent of JFS students scored at least five A*-C grades, including English and maths. Head Jonathan Miller said the performance, "together with the superb A-level results last week, reflect the outstanding teaching that JFS provides".

At the Lubavitch Senior Girls' School in Stamford Hill, pupils in years 10, 11 and 12 sat 124 GCSEs. More than 90 per cent were scored at A*-C, 76 per cent at A*-B and nearly half at A* or A. Lilija Amirvaliyev, who spent her childhood in Kazakhstan, gained seven GCSEs, less than two years after her arrival in the UK. These included three A*s.

In Manchester, King David High's Naomi Barnett led the way with 10 A*s and three A grades. Eight-eight per cent of the 118 students achieved five passes at A*-C, including English and maths. Ninety-five per cent of exams were passed at A*-C.