Students across Teignbridge discovered how they had fared in their GCSE exams today.

The exams took place in May and June this year and many will be hoping they have achieved the necessary grades to go on to the next stage in their education or vocational training.

This year’s cohort had only just settled into life at secondary school when Covid hit, disrupting their learning for two years until they had to make their subject choices for these exams.

‘This particular year group had virtually no in-person education for the majority of year 7 and 8 due to the pandemic,’ noted Paul Cornish, executive director of the Ivy Education Trust, which includes Dawlish College, Newton Abbot College and Teignmouth Community School. ‘They and their teachers have been playing catch-up for three years so the results they have achieved are truly remarkable,’ he added.

At Dawlish College, top grades (9-7) were up, not just on last year but on the last set of pre-Covid results in 2018/19. Honey Dyer’s hard work paid off with four Grade 9s, three Grade 8s and a Grade 7.

Dawlish head Sam Banks also praised Davyd Krysiuk, who arrived from Ukraine two years ago with no English whatsoever. Today he picked nine GCSEs with an average grade 5 (strong pass), including Grade 4 passes in both English Language and Literature as well as a Grade 6:6 in double science and a Grade 7 in maths.

Teignmouth Community School head Rachel Wickham was delighted with her students’ achievements. ‘These results are a testament to the relentless hard work, dedication and perseverance our students have shown through the past academic year,’ she commented.

Students at Newton Abbot College were also praised for their ‘excellent’ Level 2 BTEC and GCSE results. ‘Throughout their studies they have worked incredibly hard and always with determination,’ remarked head Amy Grashoff. ‘It is so rewarding to see them achieve such well-deserved grades.’

At South Devon UTC, staff and students were over the moon as their GCSE results were even better than last year. UTC student Jacob O’Neil received a Level 2 Distinction Star in engineering design, a Level 2 Distinction in engineering manufacture, a Level 2 merit in engineering systems along with a grade 8 in science and maths and a grade 7 in English.

At Coombeshead Academy in Newton Abbot, notable results were achieved by Esme Levey, who got three grade 9s, four grade 8s and two grade 7s, and Darcie Levey, who came away with two grade 9s, four 8s and two grade 6s.

Coombeshead Academy and South Devon UTC are both part of Education South West.

‘I am so proud of all the staff and students at Coombeshead Academy for a fantastic set of results,’ said Education South West chief executive Matthew Shanks. ‘This is always a momentous day, which brings to a close one journey and sets young people on the path to their future,’ he added.

Teign School congratulated its Year 11 sudents for showing resolve, perseverance and hard work to achieve fantastic results. 

Maya Fairs devoted an immense amount of personal time to her studies as well as fully engaging in Teign School’s extra-curricular offer. Her determination and motivation led to a superb set of results, achieving eight grade 9s and a grade 8.

Alongside Maya, George Farrell also received outstanding results reflecting his immense effort and dedication, with 3 grade 9s, 5 8s and a 6. 

‘We are delighted with these results, which reflect the incredible hard work of the pupils, the support of their parents and carers, and, of course, some excellent teaching from our staff, said Teign School head Lucie Wagner. ‘Teachers have used their professionalism and wealth of experience to support our students to achieve outcomes that we have no doubt will one day lead them to the best Universities and career destinations,’ she added.

Stover students celebrated ‘an outstanding’ set of GCSE results with over a quarter of all papers receiving top grades (7-9). The school was particularly impressed with Elen Stone and Patrick Thompson who achieved eleven Grade 9s, three Grade 8s and four Grade 7s between them. Both will continue their studies at Stover’s Sixth Form.

New head, Caroline Ward, was delighted with the level of academic success achieved by all pupils, noting that it obviously reflects the committed and skilful teaching of all those involved with these pupils, and of course the spirit and determination of the pupils themselves.