STUDENTS across the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership Sixth Form have once again achieved strong results, progressing to universities, apprenticeships, and employment.

The partnership includes students attending the Somerset Studio School Sixth Form, Writhlington Sixth Form, and Midsomer Norton Sixth Form, and is one of the largest sixth forms in the South West.

Students received a strong set of results following months of study and preparation. These outcomes provide opportunities for apprenticeships, employment, and places at universities across the country. More than 54 per cent achieved A–B, and 87 per cent of students achieved A–C, all above national averages.

Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership CEO Alun Williams, joined by headteachers from all sites, commended the students, and said: “I am delighted by the achievements of Year 13 students this year. They have done exceptionally well. I’d like to wish all our Year 13s the very best of luck for what will no doubt be an exciting future.”

This year’s outstanding results include the first T Level cohort of students to complete this new qualification. The partnership is one of the few sixth forms in the area to offer this fully supported, vocationally focused course. Students have successfully completed placements at numerous local businesses, and the partnership would like to thank them for their support and expertise, without which the high levels of student success would not be possible.

Director of education post 16, Karen Ward, said: “We are so proud of the achievements of our students, and of the perseverance and resilience they have shown over the course of the last 18 months. We wish them all the best for the bright futures they have ahead of them as they begin the next chapter in their lives.

“With their strong destinations, including exciting apprenticeships and places at leading universities, we are confident that our students’ diligence and dedication will ensure their success in whichever path they choose to take.”

Detailed below are a few of the many notable achievements from each campus:

Gordon Green and Jo Postlethwaite, Headteachers of Norton Hill School and Somervale School, said: “We are delighted to once again report that it’s been another tremendous year for the Sixth Form students with results that more than justify their hard work and dedication, as well as the considerable support and encouragement of parents and carers.”

“We would like to pass on our congratulations to all of our students who have again achieved extremely high grades this year. Students achieved exceptional grades, bucking the national trend, with 32% A*–A grades, 61% A*–B, and 87% A*–C. On average, our students have achieved half a grade higher than expected.”

“ We would like to give each and every student our very best wishes for whatever path they choose to take in the future. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our hard-working teaching and support staff. Their help and guidance allow these young people to achieve their full potential.”

Amongst the many successes for this year are: Thomas Smith, who achieved A*A*A*A* and has secured a place at Oxford University to study History; Jake Allport, who achieved A*A*A*B and is also going to Oxford University to study Computer Science; and Annabelle Webber, who achieved A*AAA and will study Economics and Finance at the University of Leeds.

Will Easton achieved A*A*A*A* and will be studying Mathematics with Mathematical Physics at University College London. Amber Burraston achieved A*A*A and will be studying Journalism; Stella Cullen achieved A*AA and will be studying Healthcare Science at the University of Manchester; and Rosie White achieved A*A*B and is going to study Nursing.

Rose Nowell achieved AAB and has gained a place on the prestigious degree apprenticeship with Turner and Townsend, beating hundreds of other candidates for this highly competitive position. Evie Wilkinson achieved Distinction* in Health and Social Care, A* in Criminology, and A in Sociology. She will be studying Sociology and Criminology at the University of Southampton.

Charlotte Perrot achieved Distinction* in Applied Science, A in Sociology, and B in Drama and Theatre Studies, and will be attending the University of Reading to study Primary School Teaching.

Bruce Hain, Headteacher of Somerset Studio School, said: “Well – they did it! We are intensely proud of them. In the T Level Engineering, we achieved a 100% pass rate and 100% of students secured their chosen destinations, including prized degree apprenticeships such as Thales, as well as places at universities and in employment.”

“Healthcare Science and Education both achieved 25% distinction rates, and similarly 100% of students secured destinations including universities and employment. Our students will now go on to become the healthcare, education, and engineering professionals that our country so desperately needs.”

“All our inspiring, talented, and professional young people have achieved so well in these very challenging A Level equivalent qualifications, with additional hard work on industry placements. We wish them every success in their future, congratulating them for their hard work, tenacity, and phenomenal achievements.”

Some destinations for students from the Somerset Studio School include: a Thales degree apprenticeship, Bath Spa University – Primary Education with QTS, Bath Spa University – Biology, Oxford Brookes University – Motorsport Engineering, and the Armed Forces.

Students have also gained places on a range of apprenticeships with prestigious local employers following successful industry work placements, including Code-a-Weld, Caged Laser, Watson Gym Equipment, and Integral.

Keith Howard, Headteacher of Writhlington School, said: “Congratulations to our students on their fantastic exam results! Their commitment and dedication have truly paid off, and these brilliant results are a testament to their hard work.”

“We are especially proud of the outstanding achievements in Art, Sport, Sociology, PE, Criminology, and Business, where students exceeded their expected grades. This year has seen our first cohort of students successfully complete the new T Level course in Digital Software Development.”

“We’re really pleased with our students’ results, achieving an average of a grade B. All of the students have successfully completed work placements, gaining high-quality experience in the industry and, most importantly, securing valuable destinations for their career progression in this field. On behalf of the entire staff, we wish our students every success in their next steps, whether at university, in an apprenticeship, or in employment.”

Amongst the impressive outcomes for students on the Writhlington campus are:

Jack McLachlan, who achieved A*AAB and has secured a place at the University of Bristol to study Medicine; Ashlyn Beresford-Dawe, who achieved A* Distinction* AB and is going to Bournemouth University to study Film and Television Production; and Katie Crocker, who achieved Distinction* Distinction A, alongside Maddie Langan, who achieved Distinction* Distinction and is going to study Primary Education at Bath Spa University.

Other successes include Delilah Askew, who achieved AAB and is going to Nottingham Trent University to study Fashion Marketing and Branding; and Toby Cainey, who achieved a B grade in the T Level Digital and is starting an apprenticeship in September with MNSP.