THERE were mixed emotions from Tavistock College students last Thursday (August 22) when they received their long-awaited GCSE results.

From the early morning, students raced to the main hall at the college to find out what their hard work had achieved.

Students were tentatively opening their notorious brown envelopes to reveal some excellent results, which will set them up for the next stage of their education or training.

Some cried tears of joy — and relief — but overall results in GCSEs were ‘better than expected’ said Tavistock College principal Sarah Jones, with this year being the first time the new-styled GCSEs were implemented in most subjects.

The academy achieved well and above national average in traditional subjects, such as biology, chemistry and physics, as well as in technical subjects like construction and child development. It demonstrated that standards at the academy were being sustained and that the curriculum was ‘meeting the aspirations and different aptitudes that young people possess’.

The number of grade 9s achieved this year were a record 36 — grade 9 equates to an A** and a grade 8 equates to the old grade A*.

Mrs Jones added: ‘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 my 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.’

Top performing students included Shannon Argue, who was the top achieving girl with five grade 9s, four grade 8s and one grade 7; Damien Richards was the highest achieving boy, with two grade 9s, four grade 8s and two grade 7s.

Head of Year 11 Nick Read, who teaches maths and PE, said: ‘I am really pleased for those that have put the hard work and effort in, they are a credit to themselves and to the college.

‘For those that haven’t got the results that they wanted they should use this as a springboard to unlock their potential in the future.’