DEVON pupils set a new record in GCSE passes this year, it was revealed at a media conference at Okehampton College this week.

The college was chosen as the venue for the county's GCSE performance tables to be launched this Monday.

The media facility gave principal Chris Powell the chance to show members of the press the college's new technology block which opened this term and discuss the college's award of technology specialist status which also took effect this month.

Results at Okehampton College reflected the countywide trend, with a best-ever crop of results. 58.3% of students achieved five or more A*-C grade, an increase of 7% on last year and 12% on two years ago.

Across the county, the percentage of students gaining five or more A*-C passes at GCSE has risen from 51% last year to 53.4% this year – the highest ever.

And there was more good news with Devon students who will be taking their GCSEs in two years' time also recording a set of improved results in all three core subjects in the key stage 3 exams they sat this summer and both authorised and unauthorised absences from school continuing to reduce.

Devon County Council's executive councillor for schools, John Hart, said: 'Naturally, I am delighted that we are back on track this year with a significant improvement in our results.

'I want to congratulate Devon's students, their families and teachers and our own hard-working education staff for this positive set of results.

'I believe this continuing improvement in results justifies the faith that we as a county council placed in our teachers and school staff and, of course, the pupils themselves, who are our very future.'

Devon County Council's director of education, arts and libraries, Phil Norrey, warned parents the figures should not be seen as league tables. 'Percentages and tables can be deceptive and need to be treated with care,' he said.

'A simplistic assessment of exam results does not tell the whole story. What really matters is whether our young people are achieving their full potential and we should applaud those schools where good teaching is helping students to rise above expectations,' he said.

Tavistock Community College also recorded exam success with A*-C grades up 9.3% to 53.9%.