TEENAGERS at the West Somerset Community College were celebrating GCSE results described as "impressive" in a year in which top grades fell for the first time in the exams' 24-year history.

The pass rate has risen steadily since GCSEs replaced O-levels in 1988, when 42.5 per cent of entries were awarded an A-C grade.

This year's results show 69.4 per cent of entries nationally gained A*-C, compared with 69.8 per cent last year.

But at least 75 per cent of community college students achieved A*-C passes, with a similar number gaining five or more at those grades.

The figures are roughly the same as last year, although in 2011, a total of 529 A* and A grades were attained by community college youngsters, compared to 480 this year.

College principal Nick Swann, who officially retires from the post at the end of August, said: "In a year when there appears to have been moves nationally to introduce tougher grading criteria for GCSE examinations, it is pleasing that our students have secured some impressive results.

"Whilst there are a number of grades still outstanding, the overall picture looks promising."

Mr Swann said students across all abilities had performed well, reflecting considerable amounts of hard work from them and their teachers.

Among the college's high-fliers, students with eight or more A* or A grades, were Megan Cammidge, Laura Chaffey, Jamie Christmas, Abigail Farmer, Laura Green, Tayla-Jayne Healy, Anna Kelly, Ffion Meagher, Javeson Sabale, Jake Thompsett, Melissa Wells and Rebecca Willmetts.

A further 23 teenagers achieved 12 or more GCSEs at A*-C.

Mr Swann said results in the three core subjects showed sustained improvement with more than 60 per cent of students in English and maths respectively and 85 per cent in science subjects achieving a grade C or better.

Nationally, in English literature, 76.3 per cent of exams were awarded A*-C, compared with 78.4 per cent last year, while in English language or combined language and literature, results went down from 65.5 per cent to 64.2 per cent.

C grades in maths dropped by 0.4 per cent to 58.4 per cent, with grades in chemistry, biology and physics all falling and the proportion of students awarded Cs in combined science papers plummeting by almost two per cent to 60.7 per cent.

Mr Swann said the usual detailed analysis would be undertaken to identify the most impressive successes and areas where there was still further potential for improvement.

"In the meantime, I congratulate all our students for their achievements and their sustained commitment to their learning."

Meanwhile at Kingsmead Community School in Wiveliscombe, headteacher Geoff Tinker, who is also retiring, said the school had outperformed its challenging targets with 85 per cent of students achieving at least five A* -C grades - compared to 69 per cent last year.

A total of 67 per cent of all students gained five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths - slightly down on last year - with 98 per cent gaining five or more exams at A*-G - up from 94 per cent in 2011.

Top performers included Dan Humphries with an impressive sweep of 11A* and one A, Genevieve Burns, with ten A*s and one B and James Byrne with eight A*s and three As.

Mr Tinker said the results were a true reflection of the hard work and commitment of students and the tremendous professionalism of staff.

"I am particularly pleased for those many students of all abilities who outperformed what were very challenging personal targets," he said.

"This clearly shows they have great pride in their learning."

Photo: Steve Guscott