SIR James Smith students in Camelford have achieved ‘best results in the school’s history’ thanks to their hard work, commitment and attitudes.

Headteacher Jon Lawrence said: “I would like to pay tribute to staff and students who between them managed to achieve the best set of results in the school’s history. We’re thrilled with the success of all our students.

“The rise in standards across the school and the very many individual pupil success stories are just reward for the hard work, commitment and attitude displayed by students and staff.

“This builds on the very positive Ofsted report back in September 2014. Our students are to be congratulated because they worked hard over five years to achieve those results as well as contributing to the wider life of the school through sport, music and drama productions, prefect teams, the Green Power car and so on. And now they are in a very strong position to continue their studies at college and beyond.

“I am very proud of what they have achieved; these young people are a credit to our whole community.”

High fliers included Peter Alford, Michael Arnott, Georgia Bunt, Mavi Degener, Robert Doman, Simon Hobbs, George Hooper, Harvey Lanaway, Jodie Lavender-Bournes, Bix Lawley, Katie Storr and Megan Thornhill. The top performing boy and girl were George Hooper and Georgie Bunt.

Mr Lawrence added: “But there are other students who have performed remarkably well despite having to deal with personal issues. The sign of a good school is how well it looks after and supports its most vulnerable pupils. At this time of year, when the focus is on exam results, it is too easy to forget that not all pupils find school easy. Our very strong value-added score shows just how well all our students have done given their vastly different starting points.

“I am fortunate to have a fantastic team of staff — teaching and support — who have pulled out all the stops as well pro-active parents who have supported their children all the way. This year we are especially proud of the way the maths department has bounced back after a disappointing set of results last year — the work put in by staff and the results achieved by students in maths has been inspiring.”

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.