Exmouth Community College has improved its GCSE performance for the eighth consecutive year.

HUNDREDS of teenagers celebrated record GCSE exam results at Exmouth Community College this week.

The number of pupils achieving five or more A* grades, including English and maths, has jumped for the eighth consecutive year – rising from 56 per cent in 2009 to 59 per cent.

Principal Tony Alexander was extremely pleased with the college’s performance, writes Graham Britton.

“I am very proud of all that has been achieved and delighted that the hard work of the students and my staff has been recognised in such a way,” he said.

At a national level, results have soared to a record high. Figures published by examination boards showed that 22.6 per cent of papers were graded A* or A – a rise of one percentage point in the last 12 months.

The GCSE results were announced five days after youngsters at Exmouth Community College received their A and AS level marks for which, in contrasting fortune, the college’s overall pass dropped compared with last year.

David Turner, deputy principal, commended pupils for their hard work in the lead-up to taking GCSE exams.

He said: “There have been many extra opportunities for people to study throughout the year, including Saturday morning sessions in the spring term and revision boost sessions during the Easter and May half-term holiday.

“There is a great deal of pride in student achievement at all levels and I would like to thank the staff for their continued professionalism and hard work.”

Ian Urmston, head of year 11, added: “I am really pleased with the results and very proud of the year group. There are lots of inspiring individual stories which gave me great satisfaction.”

Some of the top achievers at the Exmouth school included Julian Ashwin, who notched 12 A* grades and one A.

Jacqueline Hughes scooped 12 A* marks and one A with Bethany Foxon achieving 10 A* grades and two As. Abbey Swain and Jamie Tapper achieved eight and five A* marks, respectively.

Abbey Swain, 16, of Victoria Road, said: “I cannot believe my marks – it’s crazy. I’m so pleased that I just want to shout out from the roof tops.

“I’m going to stay on at the college to study chemistry, biology, maths and French. I definitely want to do a science degree at some point.”

Bethany Foxon, of Elm Road, reflecting on her grades, said: “Rating my performance on a scale of one to ten – they are definitely a 10. I’m so pleased.”

Exmouth Community College’s results come amid increased competition for college places and in the jobs market.