Yeovil College followed the national trend when A-level results were announced last week by recording an average pass rate of just over 94 per cent.

This is the highest average for many years at the college.

A spokesperson explained: "These are the first results since the major Post 16 Reforms and students have spent more time in the classroom, studying more subjects than their predecessors.

"Students and their teachers have worked extremely hard - and it is this rather than easier exams that has led to these outstanding results."

Twenty students achieved 40 or more points (the equivalent of four grade As), with James Chapman (64 points), Dave Hill and Tim Painter (both 59) and Chloe Smith (55) leading the way.

They will now go on to study computing (at Cambridge), chemistry (Warwick), maths and computing (Bath) and biological sciences (Oxford) respectively.

Results were also announced for the new AVCEs or vocational A-levels. The college had 100 per cent pass rates in health and social care, media and travel and tourism as well as in art and design.

Louise Clay, Samantha Firth and Laura Rickards were all awarded the new Double A Grade.