SIXTH form students in West Somerset College (WSC), Minehead, were celebrating record-breaking A Level results on Thursday (August 14).

Headteacher Zoe Stucki said the results were ‘the best results WSC has ever seen’.

Ms Stucki said: “We have achieved a bumper crop of A*to C grades, and as a result we have raised our value-added score significantly, ensuring on average every student in year 13 has achieved results higher than students nationally.

“We are a small sixth form college, but despite our diminutive size, we have achieved a huge haul of 16 A* and A and equivalent results, 44 B and equivalent results.

West Somerset College students (left to right) Erin Swallow, Gracie Jackson, Charlie Moncur, Robbie Whitehead, and Lewis Collings celebrate their A Level results.
West Somerset College students (left to right) Erin Swallow, Gracie Jackson, Charlie Moncur, Robbie Whitehead, and Lewis Collings celebrate their A Level results. (WSC)

“In addition, our A*to B, A*to C, and A* to E results have also increased again.

“There have been many great subject performances.

“Further maths, photography, and the extended project qualification all achieved 100 per cent A*to C, art, photography, and textiles all achieved 50 per cent plus A* to A results, which is amazing.”

Outstanding individual student performances included:

• Sundari Scarborough achieved grades A*, A, A, A

• Bethany Clarke achieved grades A*, A*, B

• Megan Chuter achieved grades A, A, B

• Natalia Dub achieved grades A, A, B

• Joshi Roshan achieved grades Distinction*, B, B

• Jessie Poole achieved grades A*, B, B, C

• Lyam Scheepers Distinction, Distinction, Merit

Ms Stucki said: “We are delighted to have students moving on to study at the University of Exeter, University of Kent, University of York, University of Brighton, University of West England, University of Bath Spa, University of Plymouth, University of Reading, University of Cardiff Metropolitan, University Centre Weston, University Centre Somerset, and the Royal Agricultural University.

Erin Blazey (left) and Esme Pegrum collect their A Level results from West Somerset College.
Erin Blazey (left) and Esme Pegrum collect their A Level results from West Somerset College. (WSC)

“From all the staff at WSC, we would like to congratulate all our year 13 students, you have worked incredibly hard, and you should be very proud of your achievements.”

West Somerset College offers A Level courses and vocational courses for 16 to 19-year-olds starting in September.

Anybody interested can drop in to the college on Thursday, August 21, from 9.30 am to enrol or email [email protected].

A sixth form open evening is being held on Thursday, September 25, from 5 pm to 6.30 pm when assistant headteacher James Morris will explain the courses and academic mentoring available.

Research has shown students who achieve five GCSEs at grades four to nine, including English and maths, can add £80,000 to earnings over their lifetime.

Another £60,000 is added to their wages if they go on to achieve at least two A Levels or Level 3 qualifications.

And the boost continues if they stay in education longer, as a university degree boosts lifetime earnings by an average of £115,000, according to research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

The college operates a 16 to 19 years bursary fund to provide support to help students overcome financial barriers in education, such as the costs of transport, off-site educational activities, equipment, or other course-related expenses.

More information about the post-16 provision on offer in Minehead is available on the college website.