A pupil who arrived in the UK six years ago speaking no English has picked up top grades in his GCSEs.

George Jardan, who now lives in Beckton, arrived in the UK from Moldova when he was ten years old.

Despite speaking no English when he first got to the country and joined Royal Docks Academy in Newham, he collected two grade 9 GCSEs, seven grade 8s and one grade 7 today (August 22).

The 16-year-old said it's a "fantastic feeling" to collect such high grades.

He said: "These results are better than expected.

"It is a great day! What can I say?

"I am feeling very pleased with myself; very happy. It is a fantastic feeling."

George said Royal Docks Academy supported him throughout his studies and gave him the chance to do extra classes to achieve the results he wanted.

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He said: "I am very grateful. My teachers have been kind and supportive, even today on results day.

"They did lots of preparation for us throughout the whole year.

"Even before the exams, they did a good job of keeping the stresses down; we had enough time to revise and all of the content was covered."

George improved his English by "socialising and speaking as much as possible" and by "being open to correction".

He is now headed to Felsted School, in Essex, in September with a scholarship to study further maths, economics and history - and hopes to work in finance in the future.

George said: "This is a huge thing.

"All of the effort and time invested in me has gone to a good cause. I am going to Felsted with solid grades."

He added: "A few years ago, my future looked like a lot of smoke and clouds. 

"Royal Docks Academy has shaped me and the steps I needed to take, and cleared away the smoke and clouds to achieve success."