GCSE results improve slightly in Devon

GCSE passes in Devon rose slightly compared to last year, bucking the national trend

Students across Devon have received their GCSE results, with the pass rate improving slightly compared to last year.

Since 2020 all GCSEs in England are graded from 1-9, with grade 4 or above being counted as a pass, the equivalent of an old grade C.

Government figures showed 68.8% of exams taken in the county achieved a pass grade, compared to 68.5% in 2023, bucking the national trend.

The pass rate across England, Wales and Northern Ireland has fallen for a third year running as national figures show 67.6% passed, 0.2% fewer than in 2023.

Alan Salt, head teacher of King Edward IV Community College in Totnes, said he was "super proud" of his students, who had "worked really hard".

He said Covid had a "big impact" on this year group's schooling, as they had "only just started year seven" when the first lockdown happened.

"They had to overcome all the usual challenges that GCSEs and being a teenager bring," he said.

Mr Salt said he was as proud of students who had "worked really hard to get 3s and 4s" as he was of students who got 8s and 9s.

Photographer Lana is looking forward to being "more independent" at college

Alisha, 16, said she was "pretty proud" of her results, adding: "I definitely got more than I thought I'd get."

The teenager wants to work in childcare as it is "a good industry to get into", but has yet to decide which course to take.

After getting her results she planned to go to work and then to dinner with her family - followed by a holiday in Mallorca.

Rommy, 16, said she was pleasantly surprised by her results, especially a grade 9 in English Literature, as well as 6s, 7s and 8s.

She is going to study Fashion Textiles in Exeter, and said she is "excited to only be doing things that I like".

Lana, 16, was calm on the morning of her exam results but her mother, Helen, said she was "nervous and shaking".

Lana, whose favourite subject was photography as it was "creative", enjoyed the exam process despite it being 10 hours long.

She is going to study photography at Exeter College and hopes to run her own photography business one day.

Lana said was "looking forward to being more independent".