Staff at South Dartmoor Community College and Atrium are celebrating the achievements of their GCSE students today. Despite an extremely challenging year, the results show a continued upward trend in outcomes at the college. Many students gained top grades in one or more subjects: 34 shared a total of 71 grade 9s, an increase on last year. Kitty Coulson-Byng scored 11 grade 9s and Ben Glenton was not far behind with seven grade 9s, one A*, two grade 8s, one grade 7 and one grade 6. 

Teachers are particularly proud of Toby Beasley, who suffered the loss of his home due to a house fire during lockdown one. They noted that his determination in the face of adversity was “inspirational”. 

Executive Head Teacher Jen Veal said: “Our students have worked really hard to achieve a set of results of which they can be truly proud. They have had to be resourceful, resilient and determined this year, more so than any other year, to find different ways to study and learn and to be successful. They adapted really well to the blended learning approach of online and face to face teaching and these results are testament to their hard work and persistence.  

“As much as our exam statistics are fantastic, this year should focus on the personal stories of all our exceptional young people who now have great sets of results behind them to enable them to go on to do whatever they wish to do next. They have been taught and supported by the most amazing team of staff, who throughout this year and during lockdowns have maintained their unwavering help, guidance and teaching, in person, on the phone, via email or through video calls. On behalf of all staff, I would like to wish our students much happiness and huge success for the future.” 

Emma Gallagher, Deputy Head Teacher, said: “We are thrilled for all of our students and the excellent set of results that they have achieved. It is a testament to how well our teachers know our students, the excellent relationships, combined with outstanding subject knowledge has resulted in a set of results of which the college is exceptionally proud. 

“We are excited to be welcoming new and existing students in September to our outstanding sixth form and to support them with their post 16 education. We would like to take this opportunity to wish our students every success for the future and we look forward to watching them flourish through the next stage of their educational journey, whatever that may be.” 

Achievements include: 

Daisy Brown - 5 Grade 9s, 5 Grade 8s, 1 Grade 6 

Hannah Manley - 5 Grade 9s, 1A*, 4 Grade 8s, 2 Grade 7s 

Harvey Field - 3 Grade 9s, 4 Grade 8s, 3 Grade 7s, 1 Grade 6 

Harry Wilson - 1 Grade 9, 6 Grade 8s, 1 Distinction, 2 Grade 7s, 1 Grade 6 

Jonathan Rockey - 5 Grade 9s, 1A*, 3 Grade 8s, 1 Grade 7, 1 Merit

Teodora Pajeva - 1 Grade 9, 3 Grade 8s, 6 Grade 7s, 1 Grade 5 

Rory Turner - 3 Grade 9s, 3 Grade 8s, 4 Grade 7s  

Scarlett Ritchie - 1 Grade 9, 5 Grade 8s, 2 Grade 7s, 1 Grade 6, 2 Grade 5s 

Charlie Peirce - 2 Grade 9s, 3 Grade 8s, 1 Distinction, 4 Grade 7s, 1 Grade 6, 1 Grade 4 

Isla Bloomfield - 4 Grade 8s, 5 Grade 7s, 2 Grade 6s

Manu Kay - 1 Grade 9, 1 Distinction*, 5 Grade 8s, 2 Grade 7s, 1 Grade 5