From David Hutchings, Exeter 382594, August 21, 2008

DEVON'S schools are recording good improvements in this year's GCSE results.

Provisional figures show many schools across the county are achieving their best ever results.

It will some time before the final figures for the county are calculated.

But Devon County Council's deputy leader and executive councillor for children's services, John Smith, said: "I want to congratulate all the students and staff for what looks set to be an excellent set of results.

"We had a slight blip last year after five years of improving results but I am very hopeful that we are now firmly back on track.

"We're particularly pleased with the performance of St James and Isca in Exeter and Dartmouth Community College, which the Government included on the National Challenge list just a couple of months ago.

"We said at the time we were confident they would meet their three-year targets in this first year and it is a great shame the students and staff had to endure some of the negative publicity they received at the time.

"We should now celebrate this independent evidence of the dramatic improvements the schools have been making in recent years and Devon County Council will continue to support them in raising standards even higher."

The Government said all three schools needed to ensure 30 per cent of pupils achieved five A*-C grades at GCSE, including English and maths, by 2011.

In fact, just months after the National Challenge list was published, Isca College recorded 38 per cent pass rates, Dartmouth 33.3 and St James 32.

Mr Smith continued: "We are particularly delighted with the improvement shown in GCSE results by all Exeter's schools and congratulate the students, staff and governors on their achievement.

"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 will have record exam results this year and we will be working with them to ensure that this success is maintained and developed."

NOTE TO NEWS EDS: John Smith is available for interview on 01626 772223.