The headteacher of Axe Valley Academy in Axminster has congratulated students after they collected their GCSE results yesterday (Thursday).

The school year was cut short when the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK, and neither A-level nor GCSE students were able to sit public exams.

Following the release of last week's A-level results, many of which were marked down by exam regulator Ofqual's algorithm, there were widespread calls for the government to reconsider how they had distributed grades.

Eventually, the government reversed its decision and agreed that both A-level and GCSE grades would be based on teacher assessments, which resulted in the GCSE pass rate in England increasing from 70% to 79%.

Axe Valley Academy headteacher Laura Jenkins said: "I would like to take the opportunity to say a huge congratulation to all of our students who are receiving their examination results.

"I could not be prouder of every single one of them. Their hard work and dedication to their studies means that they have today been awarded the grades that they deserve.

"They are here today collecting their hard-earned examination results and I wish to pass on my congratulations to them all.

"Once again Axe Valley Academy students have shown that they are simply wonderful students. These results are not only evidence of the hard work of students but also the exceptional guidance of our staff and the support from their parents.

"Axe Valley is a very special community that these students have shaped in a way that leaves a legacy of hard work, determination and kindness."