GCSE results fell across the country, but Kingsbridge Community College bucked the trend with 86 per cent of students achieving A*-C grades.

Across the UK, 66.3 per cent of students achieved between A* and C grades, with a new system being introduced for the first time, meaning that English, Maths and Science exams were graded from 1-9 rather than from G-A*.

Of the KCC results, 86.7 per cent of students gained five GCSEs at A* to C, 82 per cent achieved that with English and Maths. 91.1 per cent of students achieved a 9-4 (A* to C equivalent) in English and 85.2 per cent achieved the same in Maths, while 82 per cent achieved it in the sciences.

For students achieving the English Baccalaureate, they have to achieve C or the new grade 4 or above in English, Maths, History or Geography, the sciences and a language. 49 per cent of KCC students achieved the EBacc this year.

This year’s results included many outstanding individual performances but particularly by Isabelle Speciale, Haseebah Asharaf, Joseph Lowson and Lottie Sutherland.

Isabelle achieved 15 A*-A equivalent grades including the most prestigious “Grand Slam” of Grade 9’s in English Literature, English Language and Mathematics. She also gained 11 A* grades as part of her total this year.

Haseebah gained a Grade 9 in all three of the reformed English and Maths subjects and a grand total of 14 A*-A grades which included 11 A*’s, Joseph gained 10 A*-A grades, two at Grade 9 and 1 at Grade 8 giving him a set of 13 GCSE’s at the highest level. Lottie achieved one Grade 9, two Grade 8’s and seven at Grade A*.

Principal Kenny Duncan said: “I am immensely proud of all the results achieved by our students. They represent the culmination of five years of hard work and reflect our students outstanding commitment towards their studies and their commendable levels of resilience and determination.

“They have built upon their successes year on year, learnt from their mistakes and developed highly positive relationships with their teachers. It is enormously pleasing to see that the superb teaching, support, guidance and encouragement given to each one of our students has paid off.

“I am enormously grateful to parents, families and everyone who has supported these fabulous young people throughout their journey and wish them every success as they now enter the next exciting phase of their lives.”**If you received your A-Level results last week or your GCSE results yesterday, it can be difficult to know what to do next, especially if you didn’t get what you expected. On hand to help is the team at 16-24 Work Club, Kingsbridge, who offer free face-to-face help and support.Sha Hard, 16-24 Work Club, said: “We are a Registered ASDAN Employability Certification Provider, covering 12 topics including self-management, communication and team working, to applying for employment. “The Employability Certificate can be instrumental in getting participants ready to be part of a workforce.“We can assist with identifying skills and strengths and help you plot your action plan. Our Advisors are always on hand to give personalised guidance and help identify your options, whether that is help with getting into training, apprenticeships, full/part time employment, education, volunteering, to accessing grants and so much more.“Help with writing CVs and job applications, learning interview techniques we provide so much more including training in ‘soft skills’ such as communication and team work through to nationally recognised qualifications, giving young people the confidence they need to achieve success.”If you are aged between 16–24, or know someone who is, and would like to look into training/further education/apprenticeships contact them via Facebook, email: [email protected] or call or text: 07864 060 652.Drop-in sessions take place on every Tuesday, 1.30-3.30pm, at the Age Concern building, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1DZ, next to Quay House. Outside of Drop in sessions for more information and assistance you can call the Co-Ordinator Sha on 07864 060 652 email: [email protected] or visit their website: www.kingsbridgeworkclub.com