Exeter College learners celebrate record breaking results
Thousands of Exeter College learners are celebrating an exceptional results day after the College achieved a record 99.67% A Level pass rate, above the national average of 97.89%.
The College's incredible results were highlighted by 89% of learners achieving A*-C, more than 10% ahead of the national average of 78% and even surpassing the national average for Grammar Schools for the first time in the College’s history. Sixty-three per cent of learners achieved the high grades of A*-B, well ahead of the national average of 56%.
It was also a brilliant year for T Levels at the College, with learners achieving a phenomenal record pass rate of 98.3%, and alongside this 98.5% of vocational learners passed their full qualification.
Standout subjects where A Level learners performed superbly include Graphic Design, where an incredible 87% of learners achieved a high A*-B grade, with more than half achieving A* or A. Other excellent results include 76% of Geology learners achieving A*-B, three-quarters of Classics learners receiving an A*-B grade and 71% of Economics learners also achieving high grades, with nearly a third achieving A* or A.
It also saw a brilliant year for Science, with 69% of Chemistry learners achieving A*-B and an incredible 44% achieving A* or A. Biology learners also saw impressive outcomes, with more than two-thirds receiving A*-B grades. The highly popular Sociology also saw excellent results, with 65% of learners achieving A*-B, while nearly a fifth of all Law learners achieved A*.
The college’s unique approach, with students taking nationally recognised AS Level qualifications, again paid dividends, with standout successes in several subjects, including Spanish and German, both of which saw 100% of learners pass, while nearly three-quarters of Drama students achieved the high A-B grades. Another standout subject was Art and Design (Film and Video), with 64% of learners achieving A-B grades.
Around 2,500 learners received their Level 3 results today, and among this year’s cohort are those progressing to University, apprenticeships, or directly into employment. These outcomes demonstrate the wide range of opportunities studying at Exeter College provides for young people in Devon and the successes they can achieve.
Exeter College’s results also reflect the determination of all its students and highlight the exceptional teaching and support they receive while studying, preparing for exams or future careers.
John Laramy CBE DL, Exeter and North Devon Colleges Group Principal and CEO, said:
“Today’s results are simply stunning; the class of 2026 have set a high bar for those that follow. I would like congratulate all of the students getting results today, their work, effort and talents means that we confidently say we remain an outstanding college – thank you all for helping to make Exeter College the place that it is.”
Jade Otty, Exeter and North Devon Colleges Group Deputy CEO, said:
"Huge congratulations to all our Exeter College learners getting results today; we are all so proud of you. All of our staff are incredibly dedicated to supporting learners, whether it's teachers, tutors or support staff, and they can also look at this year's results knowing the effort they've put in has made a huge difference to all the young people who chose to come to Exeter College."
Billie Stokes, Exeter College Assistant Principal, said:
"The best part about Exeter College is the learners. Every single one of them work so hard, and I'm so proud to see that hard work and dedication paying off in this year's results. They should all be proud of their achievements and can look forward to a bright future in whatever they choose to do next.”
Exeter College’s 2025/26 Level 3 results:
- 99.67% A Level pass rate
- 98.3% T Level pass rate
- 88.8% A Level A*-C grade
- 62.76% high A Level A*-B grade
- 89.82% AS Level pass rate
Exeter College continues to be an exceptional destination for academic learning in the South West, with students securing places at top universities and higher education providers across the UK. Zak Flanagan studied A Levels in Maths, Physics and Geography at Exeter College. Zak received three A*s and will be going on to study Earth Science at Oxford University. Zak said:
"I'm really, really happy. My results were exactly what I wanted, so I'm really pleased. It takes a lot of hard work throughout the year, so now opening the results feels like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. To be able to get three A stars is absolutely amazing!
"The teachers here really make use of the time, and they really help you outside of lessons with guided work and what you actually should be doing at home. There's a really clear sort of standard of what you need to be doing outside a lesson. In lessons, the teaching is great, and there are some really amazing teachers.
"You could say there's never a dull moment at College. I say the breaks in between lessons and just going out into town, whatever you're doing, it's good to spend time with your friends. And there are so many people here; there are endless things to do."
Exeter College is playing a key role in addressing skills through vocational courses. Many of these learners will be entering employment or going on to higher education after completing their studies. This includesJack Marsden, who studied a T Level in Business Management and Administration. Jack received a distinction and will be going on to complete a Level 4 Apprenticeship with the Met Office. Jack said:
"I got my I got the distinction, so I couldn't be happier. It's brilliant to open up the results and see that. The course was interesting and fun, you do work experience alongside the T level, so I did that at the NHS, and it was really good fun, really valuable to get that experience in the working world.
"I've got a Level 4 Apprenticeship with the Met Office in the commercial team, so will be starting that in September. I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be buying stuff for the team, for the Met Office, all to help the Met Office function.
"Best bits about being at Exeter College are meeting people, meeting new friends, being in Exeter every day, and definitely getting the work experience as well. Meeting loads of people there and also the teachers as well."
There are so many options available for young people who study at Exeter. Mia Price studied BTEC Applied Science at Exeter College and received a triple distinction. Mia is taking a gap year to go travelling before studying Veterinary Physiotherapy at University. Mia said:
"I'm feeling really happy. I got distinction, distinction, distinction. My teachers were so amazing. I had lots of different ones, of course, and they were all just so supportive and made sure that you understood everything and got the grades you wanted and beyond. The support was really good, especially from my tutor, Sophie, she made sure that everything went smoothly and gave me the support I needed.
"I've just always liked animals and like my horse. One of the assignments, it was about the musculoskeletal system, and although it wasn't humans, I found it really interesting, and it sort of made me more interested in that sort of thing, especially doing it for animals as well.”
