A 58.7 per cent pass rate in the top A*, A and B grades was an 'outstanding achievement' for UK pupils at Shebbear College, the headmaster said this week.
The percentage of students achieving five passes with A* to C grades was 80.8 per cent and a number of pupils obtained seven to nine grade A passes.
Slightly contrary to the national trend, the boys had marginally outperformed the girls in the success rate for five A to C grades but the girls outshone the boys when looking at the points per candidate. Overall points per pupil was a strong 51.25.
One area in which the college was particularly delighted was the success achieved by those pupils who received Learning Support.
A statemented pupil who obtained no real assessment after the Key Stage Three test obtained a credible three A* to C passes, another pupil gained four A* to C passes, two of which were Bs.
Five other pupils undertaking Learning Support obtained a number of A and B grades in their results.
Headmaster Leslie Clark said the Shebbear philosophy of incorporating all pupils into mainstream education in small class sizes was proving to be a success.
Speaking on the results overall, he said: 'These are some of the best results we have achieved in recent years and the fact that they are spread across the entire ability range is noteworthy.
'Both pupils and staff can draw considerable satisfaction from this fine achievement.'