HUGS, cheers and tears of joy filled the common room at Tavistock College last week as students were given the results of their hard-earned GCSEs.

With the pass rate down nationally for higher grades, the college is pleased to be going against the national trend with 27% of students gaining three or more A*A grades.

The overall pass rate for 5+ A*- C was good at 80%, which is a 30% increase on three years ago.

There has also been an increase in PE results bringing them to 90% C grades or better, and a rise in the higher grades in languages, leading to an increase in EBACCs — a certificate for students who attain a grade C or higher in English, maths, double or triple science, a foreign language and either geography or history — which has put the college among the highest performers in Devon on this measure.

Principal Helen Salmon said: 'I'm really pleased with our results, it is encouraging that we have held steady in this very difficult climate.

'For many students we have narrowed the gap and have enabled all students to achieve with a 98% pass rate for gaining five or more qualifications and almost 100% gaining at least one qualification. This is particularly impressive as three years ago many students left with no qualifications at all.'

The college also gained great results for its vocational BTEC qualifications. Although many do not contribute to league table success, they have enabled many students to succeed and to progress to higher level courses in areas such as child care and construction.

Mrs Salmon said: 'The complexities of the exam system and the sheer number of changes year on year make it hard to make valid comparisons with previous years.

'Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Education)?has complained about schools achieving good results by entering students for multiple exam boards and sitting the exam three, and in some cases, four times. I am pleased to say that our achievements are not based on such practices.

'We have not repeatedly entered students into subjects and we also stuck with the same exam board and didn't do the IGCSE qualifications, which some schools regard as an easy option.

'We have a number of students who have done well and we know that they can progress into our thriving sixth form. I am very proud of their achievements, which are down to hard work, good teaching and parental support.'

Guy Williams, who gained nine A*s and three As, said: 'I am very pleased with my results. I'll be staying on to sixth form to do biology, chemistry, maths, geography and product design. I am hoping to go on to do a degree in the biology/chemistry area but I might change my mind by then.'

Lizzie Jones, who also received great results with six A*s and six As, said: 'I'm really happy. I have put a lot of hard work in. I wasn't really thinking about the results, I just wanted to know that I had done the best I can — the results were a bonus.'

Other notable results included Holly Gibbs with 10A*s and 3As, Emily Spry, 7A*s 4As and a B, Joe Way, 7A*s 4As and a B, Josh Towl, 5A*s 5As and 2Bs, Jed Coiley, 6A*s and 5As, Jamie Brown, 4A*s 8As and a B, Ellie Johnston, 6A*s 4As and a B, Tara Twine, 4A*s 7As and 2Bs and Tanya Wylie, 3A*s 7As and 3Bs.