Pupils at Exmouth Community College are once again celebrating after receiving their GCSE results.

The college saw 68 per cent of pupils gaining five A* to C grades, and 55 per cent achieving five A* to Cs including English and Maths.

Both figures are a slight fall from last year, but are still a large improvement over five years ago.

The college’s results are also in line with national figures, which saw grades fall for the first time in 24 years.

The college’s top performer was Charlotte Colville-Hyde, who achieved eight A*s and three As.

Charlotte, who also won the school’s Premier Cup earlier this year, said she was “over the moon” at her results

Also celebrating was Faye Dunn, who got 7 A*s. She said: “I’m really happy - it makes me want to jump in the air and fall down at the same time!

“It’s really weird to have two years of your life handed to you on a piece of paper. I never thought so much work could be hanging on about 10 letters!”

Stuart Smith, who also got seven A*s, said: “I knew it would be quite good but I wasn’t expecting it to be this good! [When I was studying] I had to keep really focused on what I was doing.”

Other high achievers were Joel Down with seven A*s, Poppy Joyce, Emily Daw and Megan Wilson with six A*s, and Joanna Parsons, Alice Price and Rugile Zoryte with five A*s.

Head of year 11 Ben Findel-Hawkins said: “I am really pleased with the results that have been achieved and glad that the work put in over the last two years has paid off. I am looking forward to many of our students returning next year.”

College principal Tony Alexander said: “I am delighted that the College has continued to build on the outstanding achievements of the last ten years of continuous improvement.

“This year group have laid down a very strong platform to maintain the recent success enjoyed by our Post 16.”