THEIR results might not be the most spectacular in the borough, but staff at the Essa Academy, formerly Hayward School, were still celebrating today.

For the school has seen a steady rise, year on year, for the past four years.

In 2005, 24 per cent of pupils gained five A* to C GCSE grades. This year 28 per cent of pupils reached the benchmark.

Jenny Coleman, deputy head of the new academy, said: “The news is a great start for Essa Academy. The year-on-year improvement is down to targeted support for children.

“With the new academy will come investment in modern ICT equipment, which will improve children’s learning and continue to raise standards at this school.”