Standards maintained despite tougher exam marking this year

STUDENTS across the Axe valley are today (Thursday) celebrating another set of outstanding GCSE results.

Year 11 students at The Axe Valley Community College maintained the high standards set last year, with 77 per cent achieving 5 A*-C grades and 61 per cent collecting 5A*-Cs, including English and maths.

The students excelled in a range of subjects with this year’s highest results recorded in maths, English Literature, IT, art and PE.

Among the highest performing students were: Fiona Gage (6A*s, 5As, double distinction in IT), Kieran Parker (5A*s, 3As, 3Bs, double Distinction in IT), Adele Gage (4A*s, 6As, B, double distinction in IT), Henry Wilde (4A*s, 6As, B), Jessica Barrett (4A*s, 6As, double distinction in IT), Abbi Dowse (2A*s, 7As, 2Bs, double distinction in IT), Marcus Wood (2A*s, 6As, B, C, double distinction in IT), Jean Delos Santos (2A*s, 6As, 2Bs, C, double distinction in IT).

Commenting on the results, headteacher Martin Smith told The Herald: “I am delighted that we have maintained the very high standards we set last year.

“Changes to the way English GCSE grades have been awarded have made it harder for students nationally to achieve C grades or higher, so we are particularly delighted that we equalled last year’s figure of 61 per cent 5A*-C with English and maths. This is a great achievement. We are all very proud of the fact that 77 per cent of our students achieved 5A*-C. The number of A*s has continued to rise and reflects the high academic standards being achieved by students at Axe Valley.

“Congratulations to all the Year 11s on these wonderful results. I would also like to thank staff for the setting such high standards and working so hard to support our students.”

Students at Colyton Grammar School were also in high spirits after opening their results.

In a year where the exam boards has made achieving top grades more difficult, the Year 10 group has bucked the national trend by matching last year’s achievements with 88 per cent achieving at least one A* and 55 per cent achieving five or more of the coveted top grades.

Headteacher Paul Evans said: “At a time when examination boards have responded to political pressure to reduce the number of top grades, we have seen an increase in A* grades awarded, compared to last year in art, biology, business studies, chemistry, French, German and music.

“This is also the first year that our students have sat the new ‘double award’ mathematics GCSE with over 80 per cent achieving two A* or A grades in the subject.”

Mr Evans said the fact that all students at Colyton take all their GCSE’s a year earlier than the national norm made the 80 per cent A*-A grades even more impressive, when compared to other selective schools in the country.

He added: “This is an impressive year group who have shown high levels of self-motivation and independence. They have worked hard and played hard and are now well set to make the most of the opportunities available in the sixth form.”

The following students were amongst those awarded ten or more A* each.

Alice Bell, of Ottery St Mary, Erin English, Feniton, Toby Squire, Axminster, Meg Amos, Lyme Regis,

Olivia Hughes , Lyme Regis, Manal Patel, Chardstock.