’We are enormously proud of you’ — that was the message from teachers at Okehampton College to their GCSE students today.

After an unprecedented two years, the most important of their school years, students were celebrating their successes and feeling relieved that the day had finally come.

In a message to all year 11 students the teachers said: ’Whilst there have been some exceptional individual successes, we are incredibly proud of and excited for all our students.

’Fifteen students achieved the highest grades, 9-7 or equivalent in all their subjects, with eight students achieving grade 9 in over half their subjects. Over 20% of all grades were grade 7 or above and over 50% of all grades awarded were grade 5 and above. More than three in every five students achieved grades 9-5 in at least five subjects and half our students achieved grades 9-5 in at least five subjects including English and maths.

Over four in every five students achieved grades 4 and above in at least five subjects.

Many results also illustrate the truly remarkable progress several of our students have made over their time with us.’

’Our respect and admiration for the way you have overcome the genuinely extraordinary and at times gruelling challenges of your Year 10 and 11 cannot be overstated.’