A RECORD number of students aspiring to become doctors at a Taunton college have been offered highly sought after places at university.

Sixteen students from Richard Huish College are celebrating the news that they have confirmed offers to study medicine at 12 different universities across the UK.

Shayaan Akhtar, aformer Queens College student has an offer from Imperial College London, and Will Downs, also a former Queens College student, is heading to Exeter University.

Former Heathfield School pupils, Alexandra Moore, Dalton Barham and Ellen Collard all have offers.

Alexander, from North Curry, is heading to Plymouth University, Dalton, from Taunton, has an offer from University College London, and Ellen, also from Taunton, is heading to Bristol University.

Also with an offer from Bristol University is Lucy Byrne, a former Kingsmead School pupil, from Bishop Lydeard.

Amber Leach, also formerly from Kingsmead School, has an offer from Plymouth University.

George Mannu, a former Taunton Academy pupil, has an offer from Cardiff University.

He will be joined in Cardiff by Emilia Allwright, a former Castle School pupil and Weronika Kozuch, who attended Bishop Fox’s School.

Emily Howell, also a former Castle School pupil, has an offer from Belfast University.

Former Huish Episcopi pupils Charlotte Bird, from Martock, and Lily Pollock, from Langport, are also celebrating.

Charlotte has an offer from Brighton University and Lily is heading to Oxford University.

Alexander Dermanis, a former King Alfred School pupil from Burnham-on-Sea, is heading to Birmingham University.

Mary Bartlette-Searle, a former Robert Blake Science College pupil, from North Petherton, has an offer from Southampton University and Oliver Sargent, a former Uffculme School pupil, from Tiverton, is heading to Leeds University.

Huish provides dedicated support through specialist coordinator Dr Liz Parfitt to students who want to apply to study medicine, as well as veterinary or dentistry.

This unique package includes medical terminology, interview preparation, guidance with relevant voluntary work and work experience placements.

It also includes advice from NHS junior doctors and one-to-one guidance through the UCAS admissions process.

These students have also been able to take Critical Thinking AS and an Extended Project Qualification to support their university applications.

Principal John Abbott said: “I am delighted that we have a record number of students who have been offered places on these highly competitive and academic university courses.

"It is down to their hard work and determination and the help of staff here at Huish that they have these exciting offers on the table. We wish them all the best in their exams.”