From David Hutchings, Exeter 382594, September 2, 2008

GCSE results in Exeter have soared by nearly 25 per cent since education was reorganised in the city in 2005.

This summer's GSCE exams have seen students at the city's five secondary schools achieving record results.

In 2005, less than half the city's youngsters were achieving five or more good A*-C grades in their GCSEs.

But the provisional results of this summer's exams have seen a significant improvement from 47.6 per cent in 2005 to 59.3 per cent in 2008 - an overall increase of nearly 25 per cent.

The marked improvement has come about following Devon County Council's multi-million pound investment in reorganising the city's education system into primary and secondary schools and the construction of 13 new schools - including all five secondaries.

St Peter's is set to be one of the highest performing schools in the county with 76.7 per cent gaining five good GCSEs with 68.6 per cent including English and maths.

West Exe students achieved 60 per cent for the first time with 42 per cent including English and maths while passes at St James almost doubled from 30 per cent last year to 56 per cent this year and 32 per cent including English and maths.

St Luke's had their best ever year with results increasing to 55 per cent and 38 per cent including English and maths and Isca's results rose from 34 per cent last year to 49 per cent this year with a 38 per cent pass rate including English and maths.

Devon County Council's deputy leader and executive councillor for children's services, John Smith, said: "We are delighted with the improvement shown by all Exeter's schools and congratulate the students, staff and governors on achieving these excellent set of results.

"When education was reorganised in Exeter we said it would take some time for the county council's major investment in schools, buildings and staffing to be demonstrated in exam results.

"Thanks to the considerable efforts of students and staff, Exeter has achieved record exam results this year and we will be working with them to ensure that this success is maintained and developed over the coming years."

The head of Devon Education Services, Roger Fetherston, said: "There has been a close partnership between the schools and our specialist curriculum advisers which has borne fruit in these excellent results with the promise of even better to come in future years.

"The staff and students at St James in particular have recorded a hugely impressive improvement this year.

"I am confident that St James will feature prominently on the list of most improved schools in the country when the national results are published later this year."

NOTE TO NEWS EDS: John Smith is available for interview on 01626 772223 and will be at County Hall for the Executive meeting on Tuesday, September 2 from 1.30pm.