THREE quarters of students at Ivybridge Community College achieved the benchmark five A* - C GCSEs this year, as results across the country saw a record drop.

The school said its youngsters had met the increasing demands of the exams ’with flying colours’, with 74 per cent getting at least a C in five subjects including English and maths, and other subjects ’maintaining previous record standards’.

Chief executive of Ivybridge Academy Trust Rob Haring said: ’I am thrilled with the achievements of these wonderful young people. They have worked in a determined fashion and have now successfully harvested the fruits of their labour.

’While their academic success is showcased today, we also recognise the considerable contribution they have made to college life through the arts, sports and outdoor education.’

Rachel Hutchinson, the newly appointed principal who takes up the role from September 2016 also expressed delight with the standards achieved, and said she is very much looking forward to leading the college to further academic success.

The school offered its thanks to all the trustees, governors, staff, parents and students for their support and contributions. It said last week’s successes will secure students’ futures, and wished them well in the next phase of their lives.

ICC pupils’ success comes as results nationally showed a significant decline on last year. The number of GCSE entries achieving A* to C grades dropped from 69 per cent last year to 66.9 per cent, the biggest decline since the exams were introduced in the 1980s.