Staff and teachers at Exmouth Community College have been celebrating ‘exceptional’ results.

Exmouth Journal: Exmouth Community College students celebrate their GCSE results. Picture: Exmouth Community CollegeExmouth Community College students celebrate their GCSE results. Picture: Exmouth Community College (Image: Archant)

Students received their results today with nearly a third of students achieving the highest three possible marks, grades 7 to 9.

Some 15 per cent achieved the highest two marks while nearly three quarters of pupils were graded between 5 and 9 and 87 per cent between 4 and 9.

Principal Andrew Davis said: “Within these grades there were some exceptional individual performances at all grades, particularly where certain individual students have worked so hard with their staff to fulfil their potential and overcome their own personal barriers and challenges.

“We are immensely proud of all of you and the work you put in to achieve these grades and look forward to welcoming many of you back in to Post-16 to continue working with staff you know well, in a small setting but with a wide range of courses to suit all needs on your doorstep.

Exmouth Journal: Exmouth Community College students celebrate their GCSE results. Picture: Exmouth Community CollegeExmouth Community College students celebrate their GCSE results. Picture: Exmouth Community College (Image: Archant)

“We believe the decision by the Department for Education to use Centre Assessed Grades was the correct one since teachers are best placed to use their professional judgement and evidence for each individual student to reach a grade that is both meaningful and robust.

“It is important to recognise that the students receiving these grades have had an exceptionally hard time throughout the lockdown period with missing key events such as their prom, leavers’ assembly and have missed out on the opportunity to prove themselves through the examination system where we know that for many they will have done well.”

Henri Miles, assistant principal for Key Stage 4, added: “This year group were always very focused on doing well and making their mark in the world.

“I am very proud of how they have dealt with the year and how they have prepared themselves for their studies next year.”

Roxy Merry, Head of Year 11, said: “I am so proud of the year group.

“They have handled a very stressful situation with great resilience.

“Results day was a very different experience than previous years, but it was lovely to see our students after so long apart.”