Good year for school

STUDENTS achieving record examination results and education inspectors heaping praise on the performance of a subject department.

These were just two significant achievements at Exmouth Community College in the last ten months, writes Graham Britton.

Headteacher Tony Alexander, reflecting as the curtain prepares to come down on the 2008/09 academic year, said it had been a successful period.

He added: "We still strive to be better and to be a truly outstanding school, which I believe, in many respects, we are already.

"Every year we get superb support from the local community, which enables us to improve and broaden what we offer our young people."

The college, identified as one of the most improved in the country by The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, reached a 56 per cent pass rate for GCSE maths and English - exceeding the national average.

More than three in five pupils attained five A* - C grades and the performance of the PE department was judged by Ofsted to be 'outstanding', when inspectors visited in December.

Mr Alexander said he was very proud and grateful to all those who supported and assisted the school in its work in the last ten months.

He thanked local businesses who visited the college to give guest talks and said people, from places which included the town council and the Rotary Club, had been helpful.

"The staff at the college work immensely hard to ensure all of our students do their best and have the best and broadest opportunities possible.

"I am convinced that, as educators, we must develop our students to be well-mannered, responsible and thoughtful.

"Young people should understand their heritage and the world around them. This will, when they leave school, have a positive impact on our community."

Mr Alexander said there was a strong element of citizenship in the curriculum, which was continually developed.

"The college is an exciting and dynamic part of the community and we are grateful to all those who support and assist us in our work.