Exmouth Community College is celebrating after students achieved its best ever set of A-level results.

Students collecting their results at the college today (Thursday) achieved a 99 per cent pass rate at A2 level, with 18 per cent of entries achieving A* to A grades, and 68 per cent achieving A* to C.

Top achiever at A2 was Holly Quilter, who achieved three A*s, in maths, further maths and chemistry, and an A in physics.

After picking up her results, Holly, who will now go on to study maths at the University of Bath, told the Journal: “It’s amazing. I’m so excited. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. A-levels are really challenging – I don’t think everyone realises that.

“I was predicted more or less these grades, but you don’t know how the results are going to come out, and the grades move around every year, so you don’t know.”

Other top achievers were Jack Carmody and Megan Pollard, who achieved two A*s and the rest A grades, and James Colville-Hyde, Ana-Kristine Holmes, and Jack Oke, who achieved three As, including A*s.

Katherine Whitfield, who achieved an A*, A and B, said: “I’m happy – pleased with that. It’s good to get it over and done with.”

Katherine is now planning to spend a year travelling, and teaching English in Morocco and Japan.

She said: “I’ve always loved travelling, and wanted to teach, and it’s quite good to go to developing countries and do that. It’s probably what I would like to do in the future.”

At AS level, 52 per cent of students achieved A to C grades, and 86 per cent achieved A to E.

Top students were Angela Roxas, who achieved four As, and Ben Kay and Sam Winnall, who achieved at least three A grades each.

Sam, who received As in physics, maths and religious studies, said: “I’m a little bit surprised to be honest. I almost didn’t dare hope to do this well.

“I’m overwhelmingly glad really.”

Reacting to the college’s results, principal Tony Alexander said: “The best ever set of A-level results recorded at the college speaks for itself.

“I am delighted for all the students and particularly pleased with the figures of 18 per cent gaining A* and A grades which is outstanding.

“The hard work, dedication and commitment of students and staff have reaped great dividends. I am thrilled that despite more severe marking this year, we have achieved this landmark figure.”

Assistant principal and head of post-16 Simon Tanner said: “I am delighted! This has been richly deserved by students and staff who worked incredibly hard all year.

“The most up-to-date Government figures show we achieve significant improvement with all our students, but we never get complacent, and the end result is improved life chances for all our students, whatever their ability.”

Chair of governors Jill Elson said: “We have an excellent team of staff under the leadership of Tony Alecander. The students have achieved excellent results by hard work and taking opportunities open to them to help them achieve these results.

“Thanks are due to the support of parents to their children and to the college. Well done everyone.”

Come back to the Journal website later to see all the best results day photos.