Students at The Blue School in Wells have smashed their A levels and BTECs – despite years of pandemic upheaval and lessons disrupted by crumbling concrete.

Well over half of all entries scored one of the top grades, while nearly 80% hit a C or above. For many, that means securing a coveted place at their first-choice university, with others heading straight into dream careers in law, medicine, engineering, architecture, politics and biochemistry.

The school said the results were "a true reward" for the effort, application and tenacity shown by this year's cohort, who started sixth form in the middle of Covid restrictions and ended it with parts of the site out of action due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

Headteacher Mark Woodlock said: "I am incredibly proud of the achievements of all of our students this year. That is true for both the individuals themselves and for the teachers and school staff that have supported them to get to this point. We hope that these results will give them the best platform for the next steps in their education and careers.

"They have proved themselves an exemplar group of role models, facing down all the challenges that have been put before them. For that reason, we know that they will contribute to a positive future.

"These results are the product of the close partnership between ourselves and the local community. We thank all of those who have supported these students during their time at school, particularly in the last few years. We believe that our community should be justifiably proud of its students and of the school that serves Wells and the surrounding area."

It's been far from a straightforward journey. Covid forced students to adapt to remote learning, missed milestones, and a school life shaped by lockdowns. Then came the RAAC crisis – a national safety scare that left schools across the country scrambling to make buildings safe – adding a whole new layer of disruption to an already turbulent time in education.

But this year's results prove the students have not just survived those challenges – they've thrived in spite of them.