STUDENTS at West Somerset Community College, Minehead, have set a new record, with a massive 99% achieving one or more GCSE passes.

Preliminary figures released by the college today show the youngsters achieved a total of 414 passes at A* or A, and 61% of all grades were A*-C passes.

Almost a third of the year group - 107 students -- attained nine or more A* -C passes, an increase of 42% on the results from two years ago, and ten students achieved nine or more A* or A grades.

For the first time, a number of students completed BTEC vocational qualifications as well as GCSEs, with forty five students completing studies in hairdressing, motor vehicle studies, countryside management and construction. Some 78% gained the equivalent of A*-C passes in these subjects.

Eighy nine students took Mathematics GCSE a year early, with 99% achieving A*-C passes. College principal, Nick Swann, said: "Once again it is a real pleasure to see so many of our students achieving such impressive results. Many of them will be joining our Sixth Form in September and we look forward to their continued growth and success on Advanced 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.

Students with ten A* or A grades are as follows: Louise Crabb, Michael Hutchinson, and Christine Stephens.

Nine A*or A grades: Kate Bolton, Elizabeth Crossman, Katherine Foster, Peter Hoyland, Rosa Lewis, Andrew Miles, and Courtney Toth.