OKEHAMPTON College students were celebrating last week, after recording the college?s best ever GCSE results.

The percentage of students at the College achieving five or more A-C grades rose above the national average.

Among the college?s top performers was Zoe Elliott-Shircore, from Chagford, who gained 6 A*s and said she was delighted with her results. ?I?m still in a state of shock, but I?m really happy with it all,? she said.

Zoe said she was amazed how well everyone in her graphics class had done, with students achieving a remarkable 21 A*s in the subject.

Amy Wilson, from Okehampton, was also very pleased with her GCSE results, having recorded all ?A?s and ?B?s in her exams.

College principal Chris Powell, said: ?These are excellent results, the best we have ever had. 58.2 per cent of students got five or more A-C grades, compared to 52 per cent last year.

?Obviously, it gives these youngsters a firm foundation to go onto the next stage of their education or into employment.

?I have seen a lot of pleased young people around this morning and following on from the good results last week in A-levels, it?s nice to have more good news.?

Last week?s A-level results were the best in the history of the school, and sealed places on their chosen university courses for many of the students.

An exciting time lies ahead for staff and students at the college. A new £2.4-million technology and ICT centre at the school is due to open next month.

And in July, the College heard it had gained access to grant funding following its recognition as a Specialist Technology College.

And Shebbear College pupils have achieved an overall pass rate of 99.52% A* - G, with 75% of the pupils achieving 5 A* - C level.

Headmaster Bob Barnes said he was very pleased with the performance of this year?s Form 5 students, in particular with their Mathematics results, where the pass rate was 100% with 76% A*-C, and Modern Languages with an overall pass rate of 76%.

Mr Barnes said: ?These results are very encouraging in subjects where the national pass rate at Mathematics has fallen to 50.2% and Modern Languages to 51.2%.?