WEST Somerset Community College teenagers notched up some of their highest grades in GCSE results announced yesterday (Thursday). A total of 61 per cent of all passes were at A* to C, with 414 at A* or A. And 107 students - almost a third of the year group - attained nine or more A*to C passes, an increase of 42 per cent on the results two years ago. Top achievers Louise Crabb, Michael Hutchinson and Christine Stephens scooped ten A* or A grades, while Kate Bolton, Elizabeth Crossman, Katherine Foster, Peter Hoyland, Rosa Lewis, Andrew Miles and Courtney Toth secured nine A* or A grades. The results have also seen a new college record set, with 99 per cent of students achieving one or more A* to G grades. Delighted college principal Nick Swann also said the statistics were the minimum preliminary achievements as for the first time many students had completed BTEC vocational qualifications as well as GCSEs, reflecting the broadening of the curriculum for the skills increasingly needed in the workplace. Studies have centred on seven different vocational areas and the students' results have to be translated into GCSE grade equivalent for comparative purposes. Some 45 youngsters attained qualifications in hairdressing, motor vehicle studies, countryside management and construction and 78 per cent of them gained the equivalent of A*to C passes. The college's planned new skills and enterprise centre, due to open in September next year, is expected to allow staff to build on the foundations already established in those areas. Meanwhile, year ten students have also been demonstrating their talents. A total of 89 teenagers took their maths GCSE a year early and 99 per cent of them achieved A*-C passes. In all, 39 attained an A* or A - described by Mr Swann as a "phenomenal achievement". "Once again it is a real pleasure to see so many of our students achieving such impressive results," he said. "Many of them will be joining our sixth form in September and we look forward to their continued growth and success on A level courses over the next two years. "We will be analysing the results in more detail over the coming weeks to identify areas where achievement has exceeded expectations and also where additional work is required to further raise standards. "In the meantime, I hope that all the students who have done so very well will feel proud of their achievements. "Their success reflects the hard work they have put into their studies." Pictured marking their success, from left, are Jasmine Heard, Louise Crabb, Charlotte Folkes, Michael Hutchinson, Peter Hoyland and Daniel Norman. Photo: Steve Guscott