SHEBBEAR College students enjoyed a strong performance in this year's GCSE results. The college's pass rates from A* to C were once again well over 10% above the national average and the students are now well placed to start their A-level courses. Headmaster Simon Weale said: 'It has been a very challenging year for Year 11s across the country, who have been confronted with the new linear GCSE exams and a government determined to make the exam system more challenging. 'Our pupils have had to bear the brunt of this and it is too their credit that they have come through so strongly. 'They are a splendid year group of confident and principled young adults who are going to make a positive impact as they move on to the more specialised part of their education. 'The benefit of their experiences this year will be that they will begin the next phase of their education as battle hardened exam veterans and I expect them all to do very well at A-level as a result.' Among the highest achievers were Tom Routly, Ross Bennett, Angus Crookes, and Madeline Fong who scored 32 A* and A grades between them, and twins Joseph and Eva Ho who scored 12 A* and A grades between them, despite taking all of their exams in their second language. Shebbear's art department had a year to remember, with 13 of the 22 entries being awarded an A*.