SIXTEEN Holsworthy pupils who turned in 'notable performances' in this year's GCSE exams are just the tip of successful exam iceberg.

Between them the 16 notched up 120 A* or A passes in subjects as diverse as science and languages.

TOP ACHIEVERS: Holsworthy Community College students Hannah Musson, Hannah Barriball, Ruth Musson, Matthew Taylor, Ben Hendy, Charlotte Davies-Clark, Cathryn Tyrrell, Liam Todd, Victoria Lowe, Will Garnett, Rebecca Priest and Sarah Wooley.

Cathryn Tyrell, aged 16 from Chilsworthy, gained 11 such passes and was nearly in tears of joy when she read her results.

She said: "I am ecstatic, so happy, I didn't expect to do so well, I am shaking. As for celebrating I am just going with the flow, but firstly I have to phone my family."

Her 'laid back' friend Victoria Lowe, of Highhampton and also 16, got 10 A* or A passes, and said: "I am pleased, it was kind of unexpected but yes I am very happy."

Another happy scholar was Sarah Wooley, also 16, who gained nine similar results.

She said: "I was really nervous this morning, but now I am very pleased and happy, and yes, we will be celebrating later."

And the results of the high flyers is reflected in the success of all 151 exam takers.

Seventy per cent of them gained a pass in English language, and a pleasing 97 per cent passed the English literature exam.

In the triple sciences exam there was a 95 per cent success rate, and in maths 63 per cent gained a pass mark. And these statistics were repeated across all subjects.

Head teacher David Fitzsimmons said: "It's the best ever result for our English department. If the pupils hadn't worked so hard, they wouldn't have got these fantastic results, I am really delighted.

"Congratulations to them all, and equally to those with learning difficulties, who worked just as hard for their results with a positive outcome taking them onto post-16 education.

"We are just below our target pass rate but by the time all the appeals are heard and re marks completed I expect we shall be close to it."

And at nearby Shebbear College results were just as pleasing. At GCSE 85 per cent of pupils achieved at least 5 A*- C grade passes with 30 per cent of all passes being at either A* or A grade.

Headmaster Bob Barnes said particular mention should be made of Sam Cappleman-Lynes, Year 11, whose outstanding performance netted him 6 A* and 5 A grades at GCSE and 2 A* grades at GCE A-level.

At A-level pupils achieved a 97 per cent pass rate with 43 per cent of passes at A or B grade.

Headmaster Bob Barnes said: "I am delighted that the hard work of so many pupils has reaped its reward."