CHULMLEIGH Community College is congratulating all of its pupils and staff who rose to the challenge with this year’s new GCSEs.

The college says that it is yet another year of fantastic results putting the college firmly in the top 10 per cent of schools nationally, an incredible achievement for the pupils and staff.

A college spokesperson said: “We congratulate everyone who has worked so hard to adapt to the new style of exams.”

This year, a total of 37 per cent of all grades are 7, 8 or 9 (the old A or A*).

Half the year group achieved the “gold standard” of a good EBacc pass – grade 5 or above (national average in 2017 was 21.1 per cent). In order to achieve this, Grade 5s are required in two sciences, English, Maths, History or Geography. A total of 69 per cent of all pupils achieved a standard EBacc pass – grade 4 and above. (National average in 2017 was 23.5 per cent).

An outstanding 87 per cent of all pupils achieved the new pass grade of 4 or above in English and Maths.

Pupils with special educational needs made excellent progress.

Two pupils achieved 11 grade 9s, 8s or 7s – the new banding for A*-A, and seven pupils achieved 10 grade 9s, 8s or 7s.

Ex-Head Boy Nathaniel Scarbrough achieved a grade 9 in Chemistry, 8 in Physics and 7 in Biology and Maths, and said: “Chulmleigh helped me to achieve everything I wanted and more.

“Staff helped me to push myself every day, and the encouragement and support they provided for the new exams enabled me to cope well with the challenge”.

Ex-Head Girl Tori Higglesden said: “I am delighted to achieve a grade 9 in French and a grade 8 in Spanish, RPE and English Literature. Thank you so much to all the staff who gave up their time for all the extra sessions and support they gave me”.

Principal, Michael Johnson said: “Today is for our pupils, who have been simply superb.

“This would have been impossible without such great parenting and the support of a wonderful Board of Directors.

“I would like to make particular mention of our staff team this year; it has been a pleasure to work alongside them. They have shown such intelligence, great resilience and have unflinchingly put all their focus on making sure our pupils do the very best they can.

“We are completely delighted. Well done Chulmleigh! These are great results”.

Steve Baber, Chair of the Board of Directors, said: “It is tremendous to learn of the GCSE achievements of all pupils at Chulmleigh Community College.

“It is a credit to their hard work, the skill and dedication of College staff, and the support they receive from their families.

“The Board of Directors congratulates all pupils and wishes them the very best in the next stages of their lives”.