STUDENTS at Tavistock College were celebrating all their hard work after receiving their GCSE results last week.

The overall pass rate for the college was up by 5% this year, which delighted principal Helen Salmon: 'We are very pleased with the results. A and A star grades have improved, and we have seen the best improvement in science. We have also improved in media studies, performing arts, dance, drama, art, business studies, geography, history, Japanese and Spanish.

'The maths results were some of the best at a 72% pass rate, but we took a hit in English.'

Mrs Salmon said in common with headteachers around the country, the college would be appealing for a review in English results.

The principal said if the English results had been as staff had predicted, the college would have been celebrating a record set of results.

'Our overall pass rate was 61% with English and maths but that is happening nationally. Given where we've come from, to sustain a 60% pass rate is amazing.'

Some of the top achievers included Sophie Dandy who gained eight A stars, two As and an AS level in critical thinking, Rosie Fillan who gained five A stars, 5 As and an AS level in critical thinking, Luke Handscomb with five A stars, four As and a B, Flo Rodgers with 10 A stars and one A, Darcy Bourton with two A stars, five As, one B and an AS level in critical thinking and Annabelle Longden with seven A stars and three As.

Flo Rodgers said: 'I'm really pleased with my results — I'm still in shock. I got better than I expected and better than I was predicted.'

Luke Handscomb was also pleased with his results: 'I really wanted five A stars — I'm surprised with my English result.

'I'm really glad I put in the effort. I will be going onto sixth form to study maths, further maths, physics, chemistry and computing.'