A formal GCSE awards ceremony has been hailed as a fitting way to celebrate an ‘outstanding’ set of results.
Sidmouth College held its annual awards and celebration night for GCSE students on Thursday (December 5).
This year saw the introduction of a new formal occasion.
Angela Lucas, head of English, was the master of ceremonies as the awards were given out with Karime Hassan, chief executive of Exeter City Council, being the guest speaker.
Principal Sarah Parsons said: "The awards evening was an opportunity to celebrate the fantastic achievements of this incredible year group."
In this year's GCSE results, students achieved higher-than-expected grades on average, and 17 students were awarded 64 grade 9s between them.
A total of 69.3 per cent of the students achieved a standard pass (grades 9 to 4) in English and Maths, compared with 56 per cent the previous year.
The number achieving grades 9 to 5 for English and maths this year was 45.3 per cent, a big improvement on last year's 28 per cent.
Mrs Parsons added: "All of the staff at the college are really proud of them and what they have achieved.
"I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in organising such a fabulous event, it was a well-deserved celebration."
Awards on the night included subject prizes for achievement and progress, as well as prizes from the following organisations:
- The Waitrose prize for food technology, presented by Mrs Susan Newman Greenacre - Jess Barriball
- The Michelmore Cup for outstanding achievement in music - Dylan Roberts
- The Ogden Trust award for achievement in science - Elly-Jayne Waddell and Will Bond
- The Thelma Hulbert award for outstanding achievement in the arts ¬- Ellie Howlett
- Sid Vale Association prizes for geography, history and citizenship - Ryan Traviss, Ellie Howlett, James Fawell, Scarlett Seaton, Brody Fowler and Emily Pulman
- The Sidmouth Lions' shield for achievement and endeavour, presented by lions Mark Laurenti and Alan Shoesmith - Kloe Watts and Sam Hattrell
- The Bradford cup for best overall contribution to the year group - Ryan Traviss
- The Pinney cup for best overall GCSE results - Harriet Wardrop who achieved grade 9s in all ten subjects.
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