HARDWORKING students and dedicated staff have proved to be a recipe for success at Exmouth Community College. Principal Tony Alexander heaped praise on pupils and teachers upon hearing news the academic institution had made the top 15 of Devon-based state

HARDWORKING students and dedicated staff have proved to be a recipe for success at Exmouth Community College.

Principal Tony Alexander heaped praise on pupils and teachers upon hearing news the academic institution had made the top 15 of Devon-based state schools in GCSE league tables.

The college was ranked 13th in the list after 56 per cent of pupils achieved the government benchmark figure in gaining at least five grade A* to Cs including English and maths.

The school also saw 68 per cent of pupils leaving school with at least five GCSE A* to C-passes in any subject. The numbers represent a one and four per cent rise respectively on figures from last year.

Mr Alexander said: "With 5 A-Cs in any subject, which is the old measurement barometer, in 2003 it was 42 per cent and it is now 68, so naturally we are very pleased with the improvement in our league tables.

"We are also very pleased because for every year for the last five years our average point score per pupil has increased considerably.

"And, this year we are delighted that the number of higher grades, people achieving A*s, As and Bs, has risen. It is a great testament to the commitment of the pupils and the staff.

"It is a refreshing position to be in but, of course, we are not satisfied to stand still. We are planning this year not to hit our minimum target grades but our higher grades.

"If we do that, I will not only be very proud but delighted."

He said one of the biggest improvements made at the school in recent years was to instil a feeling of confidence.

This was an issue the college was commended for by Ofsted, identified in a full education report into the school's performance in November.

Mr Alexander added: "The only area we now need help in from the authority is with our heating - our basic infrastructure has just failed totally and we soon need new buildings.

"We have made continued improvement at the school and we need this to finish the job."

Mr Alexander said the college's A-level results were also improving and were above the national average.