Plymouth schools are already beginning to report record GCSE results.

Lipson Community college say the number of students achieving five A* to C grades including Maths and English has reached an all time high - according to a Guardian poll, last year around thirty nine per cent at the school managed it.

Likewise All Saints Academy has achieved its highest results ever - they are the first set of exam results since it became an academy in September.

Every year critics suggest exams are gettting easier as pass marks rise.

Headteacher of Lipson Community College, Steve Baker, says students should be applauded as they face a tough climate with record levels of youth unemployment, the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) being cut and a hike in university tuition fees.