STUDENTS at South Dartmoor Community College are celebrating impressive GCSE results.

Despite the national trend of a tightening in grades, they have been successful in their academic performance. The vast majority met, or outperformed, their targets, placing them in a strong position nationally.

A quarter of students achieved a grade 7 or above in English and a fifth of students achieved this in maths. Half of all students shared more than 300 top grades (7+).

Students did particularly well in subjects such as science, where 95% achieved a grade 4 or above in biology, physics and chemistry and in languages, where nearly 90% achieved this.

In addition, several students were successful in a further maths qualification (A level standard), with 60% achieving a grade B or higher.

Jen Veal, executive headteacher, said: 'This shines a light on the academic opportunities for students at SDCC.

'We were particularly fond of this cohort, they were a great group of young people who engaged really well with us to get the most out of their education.

'They aspired to do their best and these excellent results reflect that.

'They worked really hard to achieve a set of results of which they can be truly proud. We are thrilled for them.

'Students have shown exceptional resilience and dedication, overcoming significant disruption to their education over the last few years.

'These superb results are a testament to how well our teachers know both the curriculum and our students. The excellent relationships combined with outstanding subject knowledge has resulted in a set of outcomes with which the college is delighted.

'We know that results are important, but our students are so much more than a set of grades.

'They are wonderful young people, mature, responsible, kind, intellectually curious and I am proud of them as a year group and as individuals. I wish them the very best.'

Abi Slater, director of sixth form, said: 'We are delighted to be welcoming back the vast majority of the year group to study with us in the Sixth Form, which makes today an even happier event.

'We are also looking forward to welcoming a number of students from outside of South Dartmoor in September and to supporting them all with their post 16 education.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish our students every success for the future and we look forward to watching them flourish through the next stage of their educational journey, whatever that may be.

'On behalf of the staff, we congratulate all our students and wish them much happiness and

success for the future.'