THE West Somerset Community College in Minehead is in the top 25 per cent of schools in the country for the 'value added' performance of its students during their sixth form years.

According to the latest figures released by the Department for Education, the college was also third out of the 23 secondary establishments featured in the 'value added' scores in Somerset.

The figures are contained in the latest A level performance league tables published by the Government, which include both average point scores based purely on the A level grades achieved by students and the value added scores.

The latter take into account the progress made by students between GCSE studies at key stage four and A levels at key stage 5 and "other factors" which can impact on results, not just the grades achieved.

The college came in behind independent school King's Bruton and fellow specialist state technology college The Kings of Wessex in Cheddar to finish third in the value added score table.

It was ahead of similar state secondary schools such as Bridgwater College and Richard Huish College in Taunton.

College principal Nick Swann said the figures proved students were constantly exceeding all expectations and said they should feel proud of their achievements.

"We are in the top ten in the South West which is phenomenal and tells me that the learners we have joining our sixth form are hungry for success and determined to do well.

"For young people in West Somerset to be making learning gains like this is a great credit to themselves, their teachers and their parents.

"We deliberately set the bar very high in both A level subjects and vocational courses and expect students to work hard to achieve their very best," Mr Swann said.

He said the value added figures were the best way to judge a school's performance, particularly against selective independent schools.

But, the Department for Education warned that value added scores should not be focussed on in isolation from the other figures "as to do so could give rise to misleading interpretation of an institutions performance".

In the average point scores table, the college was 18th in the county based solely on the grades achieved by A level students, ahead of Strode College in Street, Frome Community College, the Somerset College of Arts and Technology, Yeovil College and King Alfred School in Highbridge.

Richard Huish College in Taunton, Bridgwater College and Holyrood Community School in Chard achieved higher average point scores per student.

Sexey's School in Bruton and The Blue School in Wells were the top two in the county, with Wellington School being the top independent school and the third best in the county.

But the community college is on course for even greater achievements according to the findings of an independent sixth form report written by inspector John Philip on behalf of the Specialist Schools Trust.

He believes the sixth form is likely to achieve a top 'outstanding' grade in its next Ofsted report having attained a 'good' standard in the last inspection in 2009.

He said the college was in the top 25 per cent of A level providers nationally and in the top ten per cent of BTEC providers in the UK.

The college curriculum was highly effective and students' outcomes were outstanding due to the college's high-quality provision.

He concluded: "The leadership of the school and the sixth form are embedding ambition and driving improvement.

"This drive to improve outcomes for students and highly effective planning has resulted in at least good outcomes for students and outstanding outcomes for most in 2010.

"A striking features of the sixth form in 2010 is its effectiveness in supporting students to enable them to meet and exceed challenging targets."

Meanwhile, GCSE students also made great strides in the last academic year, with the college featuring in the top ten of schools in the county for its value added results.

It saw a seven per cent improvement in its performance, with 50 per cent of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades including English and maths.

Countywide, Somerset's schools saw an average five per cent rise in their GCSE results, with an average of 54 per cent of pupils at the end of key stage four achieving five or more A* to C grade GCSEs, including English and maths.

Kingsmead Community School in Wiveliscombe was in the top five improvers, with an 11 per cent increase and 67 per cent of pupils gaining the required five or more passes at A* to C grade.

Cllr John Osman, Somerset County Council cabinet member for children and young people, said: "We are delighted with this news. It is a great credit to our school leaders, teachers and staff who have educated our young people to see this improvement on our results since last year."