THERE were smiles, tears and sighs of relief last week as the much anticipated, newly-formatted GCSE results were released at Tavistock College — some of the best results yet.

This year saw the first phase of students receive the new grading scheme system. The system sees a grading of 9 to 1 instead of the former A to E system and was introduced alongside a new curriculum.

Nine is the highest grade and one is the lowest. Nine, eight and seven correspond to the old style top grades of A* and A, designed to give more differentiation at the top end.

The exams watchdog Ofqual said that fewer grade 9s would be awarded than A*s and to get a nine, students would have had to have performed ‘exceptionally’. As the new grades are being phased in, some subjects are still marked by the old system.

Tavistock College said overall its results were ‘much better than expected’. The college achieved way above the national average in English, demonstrating that ‘standards at the college are being sustained’.

Many faculties exceeded expectations, including biology, physics, dance, DT textiles, health and social care, Japanese and construction.

The top performing students this year included Beau Waycott, who achieved seven grade 9s and an A*; Ashleigh Coventry, who achieved three grade 9s and four grade 8s; Rebecca Doherty, who achieved two grade 9s and four grade 8s and George Pankhurst, who achieved six grade 8s and an A*.

The college said James Bruce, Natasha Dettlaff, Benjamin Edmunds and Benjamin Moran also made ‘excellent’ progress during their time at Tavistock College and should be ‘highly commended’.

After receiving their results on the day, student Callum Plokker, who achieved several high grades, said: ‘I’m quite happy with my results. I wasn’t too nervous about the new grading system as they told us they would be adjusting the grading boundaries to compensate. I’ll now be going on to sixth form to do maths, chemistry, biology and physics or further maths.’

Emily Handel, who also performed well, said: ‘I’m a little disappointed with one of my results but really happy with a 9 in history — I’m also shocked that I got an 8 in physics! I’m going on to sixth form to do history, French, English and hoping to go on to study English at university. I can now breathe a sigh of relief.’

Principal at the college Sarah Jones said: ‘All the staff and governors at the college are extremely proud of our students’ achievements this year. Results day represents the culmination of a huge amount of work by our students in partnership with teaching staff and the unsung heroes — the parents at home.

‘I am delighted to see so many smiling faces as students look forward to taking the next step in their educational journey.’

GCSE students from Mount Kelly have risen to the challenge of the reformed examinations and secured outstanding results across the board.

Following the success of the college’s A-level success, 10% of all GCSE grades awarded were a 9, equivalent to the very highest A* under the previous system, and double the national figure. While 25% of all grades awarded were 9 to 8, 43% were 9 to 7; again, twice that achieved nationally.

Particular congratulations go to the 20% of pupils who scored 9s and 8s in six or more subjects.

Head Master Mark Semmence said: ‘It is evident that our pupils have thrived in a more academically demanding climate and these results are a clear testament to their hard work and commitment.

‘Having been prepared exceptionally well for their GCSEs, they will certainly go on to further success in the Sixth Form, not only in the classroom but across the range of opportunities that a Mount Kelly education has to offer.’