THANK you for publicising the success of Tavistock College students in this summer's public examinations.

Regrettably, the details regarding individuals related to 2008!

I should be grateful if you would publish the information below and I am sure, between us, we will avoid a similar error in the future.

Following last week's excellent A-level results Year 11 students at Tavistock College joined the celebrations after receiving their GCSE results. 291 candidates were entered for 2739 qualifications in 32 different GCSE courses. Maintaining the significant improvement seen last year, more than one fifth of entries were again the top A and A* grades with two thirds being at least a grade C.

Once again there were a large number of outstanding individual performances with 16% (one in every six) students gaining at least five A grades. The number of students gaining at least eight top grades increased to 24.

Particular mention should be made of Tom Ball, Robin Jones, Josh Stephens, Nick Cunningham, Roo Gould, Mark Henderson, George Rodgers and Mia Thomas all of whom gained at least 11 A or A* grades.

Equally impressive were performances across the full range of students.

The points score for each student, calculated from the grades awarded increased by 20 representing an extra three GCSE grades for each candidate. 98% of students in year 11 gained at least one GCSE with 92% gaining at least 5 (2% higher than the previous best).

Overall 61% of students achieved the benchmark standard of five or more GCSEs at grade C and above with half of all students doing so including Mathematics and English.

I am also pleased to report that overall, students achieved significantly above their nationally set targets.

On average, each student gained a full grade above expectation with, interestingly, the boys doing slightly better than the girls.

I am delighted with these results which represent a further step forward in standards arising from the changes that have been implemented over recent years. It is particularly pleasing to see a more consistent performance across all departments in the college.

These results genuinely reflect five years of hard work for the students.

When results are published attention often focuses on those with top grades, however there are many students with more modest results whose achievements are tremendous given some of the challenges they have faced.

We must also not forget that the students have developed as individuals. Many have taken the opportunity to travel abroad and in Britain, they have participated in outdoor activities, music, dance and drama and a host of other events which helped them enjoy their experience at the college.

Their successes outside their lessons have helped them develop into confident, trustworthy and responsible young adults who are a credit to themselves and the college.

I should like to thank present and former staff and not least the parents. It is clear that the strong partnership between students, staff, parents and the local community is at the heart of the current and future success of the College.

Colin Eves

Principal

Tavistock College