GCSE students at Sidmouth College have had another successful year.

Sidmouth Herald: Toby Garrett with his GCSE results at Sidmouth College. Ref shs 34 17TI 9726. Picture: Terry IfeToby Garrett with his GCSE results at Sidmouth College. Ref shs 34 17TI 9726. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Despite examination changes across the country, the town’s youngsters have continued to shine.

This year saw the grading system change, so instead of some of the GCSEs being graded by A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G and U, they were marked with 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and U.

Overall, 45 per cent of Sidmouth College students across the year group achieved an 8. On average, students achieved above a C across their best eight subjects and a total of 77 per cent of pupils achieved a 4 or more in English. Some 63 per cent of pupils achieved a 4 or more in maths.

This year’s top achievers included Josh Allen (3 A*s, 5 As and 2 Bs); Toby Garrick (3 A*s, 8 As); Charlotte Hadfield (3 A*s, 7 As and 1 B); Sophie James (2 A*s, 5 As and 4 Bs); Aimee Keast (1 A*, 7 As and 2 Bs); David Luxon (2 A*s, 3 As and 5 Bs); Bethany McLoughlin (4 A*s, 2 As and 1 B); Emma Meredith (4 A*s, 1 A and 4 Bs); Abigail Pearse (4 A*s, 3 As and 4 Bs) and Katie Smith (2 A*s, 7 As and 1 B).

Sidmouth Herald: Emma Meredith and Charlotte Hadfield celebrate their results.Emma Meredith and Charlotte Hadfield celebrate their results. (Image: Archant)

Emma Meredith and Katie Smith were among the only students who achieved a 9 within their English qualifications.

Toby Garrick, 16, from Sidford, said: “I was very surprised when I opened my results,

“For the first two weeks I worked really hard, so it seems to have paid off. My plans now are to sleep and to do my A levels here.”

Charlotte Hadfield, 16, from Sidmouth, said: “I didn’t know what I was expecting, but to look down and see all that work on one piece of paper I didn’t know what to feel, but I’m relieved it is over.”

Sidmouth Herald: Toby Garrett with his GCSE results at Sidmouth College. Ref shs 34 17TI 9726. Picture: Terry IfeToby Garrett with his GCSE results at Sidmouth College. Ref shs 34 17TI 9726. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Emma Meredith, 16, from Sidmouth, said: “I really didn’t want to open it, but when I saw a 9 in the envelope I was completely overwhelmed. I was expecting 5s or 6s – I didn’t think I would do well at all.”

Principal Jim Ingham-Hill said: “These are a strong set of results for the college, which underline the hard work and commendable effort that every single student has put into their studies over the past two years.”

Sidmouth Herald: Toby Garrett with his GCSE results at Sidmouth College. Ref shs 34 17TI 9726. Picture: Terry IfeToby Garrett with his GCSE results at Sidmouth College. Ref shs 34 17TI 9726. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)