MARGINAL improvements on the 2009 exam results were welcomed today by Maureen Strudwick, head of the Thomas Clarkson Community College, Wisbech.

She revealed that 43 per cent of students sitting GCSE exams had passed five A* to C exams, up three per cent on last year’s figures.

There was also a slight rise, to 27 per cent from 25 per cent, of students getting five A* to C grades including maths and English.

“Little by little we are improving,” she said. “What we are very happy about is that 45 students, an increase of 20, got nine or more A* to C grades”.

She added: “I am a little disappointed not to get to 30 per cent of students getting five A* to C grades including maths and English- we just have to say it takes a while to turn a big ship around”.

Ms Strudwick praised two students, Olivia Elsey and Emine Akgunduz, for their results with Olivia achieving 14 A*, A or B grades and Emine getting 13 A*, A or B grades.

“Eighty two per cent of students passed their English lit exam, having only studied it for four months,” she said.

Ms Strudwick, whose school is due an Ofsted inspection this autumn, said: “The picture is this is an improving college. Onward and upward, Team TC”.

The school, she said, would be fully staffed from the start of term and builders working on the first phase of the Building Schools for the Future programme had pledged there would no disruption to teaching.

“Our prime concern is they must not impact on the quality of learning,” said the head.