The number of pupils achieving five GCSEs at grades A* to C has increased at Helston Community College, with Mullion School's maths results among the best in the country. Compare schools here.

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According to league tables published last week, at Helston Community College, the number of pupils gaining the benchmark grade rose five per cent, from 55 per cent in 2013 to 60 per cent in 2014, while at Mullion School the percentage fell from 62 to 56 per cent over the same period.

Donna Bryant, new headteacher of Helston Community College, said the school’s five per cent increase put it joint seventh out of the 40 schools in the Cornish league table (excluding special schools).

“The college’s improvement in this result has been achieved at a time when both the national and local authority figures have declined,” added Mrs Bryant, who said that despite national “exam turbulence” this year, the college was above average across the range of criteria.

She said: “Schools and colleges are facing a time of unprecedented and relentless change. We are delighted to see that our hard work is paying off because at the end of the day it makes a real difference to the life chances of our students.

“That having been said, we are not complacent, and we have a clear action plan to address those areas which require more attention.”

Mullion School’s new headteacher Wayne Randle said 12 subjects achieved an 80 per cent or higher pass rate, with its maths results of 83 per cent A* to C the best in the county.

He added: “It is important to remember that this year's tables are not comparable to previous years due to the retrospective changes made to the English GCSE qualification.

“The speaking and listening module worth 20 per cent was removed and exam boards were requested to raise the bar when moderating pupils’ work, which in effect changed the rules after the match was over.

“This, added to the fact that many schools this year entered their students for the iGCSE rather than the more robust traditional GCSE, means there is a really inconsistent picture nationally with the English results and this has had an impact on the headline figure.

“If not for the interference with the English language qualifications during the summer we would have had the best set of results Mullion has seen in several years with 70 per cent A* to C including English and maths.”