CONGRATULATIONS are in order for more than 200 Taunton School students, who have attained their International Baccalaureate since the school became IB World School in 2007.

This year, 26 pupils passed the Diploma with an average score of 33 points per candidate, with almost all meeting the offer conditions for their first choice university.

Head boy Liam, Travers, a scholarship recipient from Hemyock, scored an impressive 43 points out of a possible 45, and is looking forward to taking up his place at the London School of Economics and Politics to study Geography.

Hera Bradly, head girl, from Minehead, was one of four students who obtained 39 points.

Hera met her offer to study Medicine at University College London.

Other successful IB candidates are moving on to study at Bristol, Cardiff and East Anglia as well as universities in Europe and North America.

One student will be taking up an internship at BMW.

IB coordinator, Mr Martin Bluemel said: "I am very pleased with this, our ninth set of Diploma results.

"IB has become a distinctive part of what Taunton School is about and our students, whether they hail from near or far, have once again impressed me with their willingness to aim high and extend themselves beyond the confines of a normal sixth form curriculum."

Taunton School headmaster, Lee Glaser, said: "These results show that our students are working at a very high standard.

"I am extremely proud of their efforts and also of the efforts of their teachers and the support they have provided throughout this academically challenging course. "Taunton School is driving forward in line with its vision of excellence and we look forward to news of further successes later this summer."

The IB Diploma is one of three sixth form routes available to Taunton School students, along with A Levels and BTEC Sports and Exercise Science.

The Diploma programme consists of nine elements- six academic subjects and three core components called theory of knowledge, the extended essay and a self-development course called creativity, activity and service.