EXETER School, the city’s largest independent school, is celebrating another excellent set of GCSE results.

Almost three-quarters of all grades - 74.5 per cent - were A* or A/9-7, compared to the national average of 20.5 per cent.

Of the 110 pupils in Year 11, 66 achieved eight or more A* or A/9-7 grades in the year the school celebrates its 20th anniversary of co-education.

Leading achievers Luke Donegan, Josh Grier and Sam Mullan, who all come from Exeter, each scored 11 top grades - Luke and Josh both gained one A^, six A* and four 9 grades and Sam attained eight A* and three 9 grades. All three boys excelled in last year’s Ten Tors Challenge.

A total of 50 pupils have just returned from the school’s memorable Sports Tour to Argentina.

Many of them were celebrating great results on Thursday, August 23, including three girls who each scored 10 or more grades at A* or equivalent.

Francesca Vercoe from Christow is a keen sportswoman and musician who recently performed in the school’s production of Julius Caesar, together with bassoonist and hockey player Lily Alford from Exeter.

Keen netballer Caitlin Khan from Brampford Speke performs in the school’s Chamber Choir and orchestras.

Award-winning mathematician and sportsman Joel Seaward from Silverton, ISFA representative footballer Charlie Pullen from Exeter and music scholar Ed O’Connor from Budleigh Salterton all scooped 11 top grades.

Headmaster Mr Griffin congratulated pupils, staff and parents on these delightful outcomes, especially in the school’s first year of the new examinations.