Students from Shepton Mallet and East Pennard have reflected on their grades after results day and are now looking to the future.

Amy Smith, of Shepton Mallet, attended Strode College in Street and in her A-levels achieved Chemistry A*, Biology A*, Art and Design (Fine Art) A* and Extended Project Qualification A*.

The former Whitstone School student is now taking a year out before applying to start university in 2021, with the hope of doing Experimental Psychology at Oxford.

She said: "I am over the moon with my results.

"They're what I dreamed of. The fact that I had no control over them, with use of mock exam results, etc, didn't fill me with confidence.

"I was very lucky that the teachers at Strode were passionate about their subjects; they recognised and facilitated the hard work I put in to my studies.

"I was impressed with the range of enrichment subjects available; I took part in first aid classes, which I found interesting and helped with my biology studies.

"I also took part in the dance company enrichment. The art department has amazing facilities; allowing an impressive range of techniques to try out.

"Higher achieving students like me are very well supported at Strode College to achieve their full potential to enable them to go on to Oxbridge."

Victor Belmont from East Pennard also attended Strode and in his A-levels achieved Psychology A , Sociology A and Religious Studies A.

The former Wells Blue School student is now planning to go to Bristol Uni to study a degree in Anthropology.

He said: "I wasn't certain about my results, but I'm very happy with them.

"I have been busy on the phone to family and friends congratulating me. I had a great time at Strode.

"I like the social aspect and I've made loads of friends. I like the fact that the college facilitates independent study and library work.

"It prepares you for later life and suits my personality. Strode College have turned me into who I am by pushing me to achieve my best. I will always be an advocate for Strode."

The Strode students who achieved a triple distinction star in their Extended Diploma included Cameron Baker from Shepton Mallet who took IT Practitioners Level 3 Extended Diploma; Olivia Collins from Westcombe and Alin Maliyakal Shaju from Evercreech who took Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business; Jada Panico and Shawna Peacock both from Shepton Mallet and Kathleen Cox-Thompson from West Cranmore who took Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care; and Andrew Dummer from Shepton Mallet and Gabriel Herlihy from Ditcheat who took Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering.

The Government's announcement on Wednesday detailing the 'Triple Lock' approach for the results, means that students can have the option to accept their calculated grades, appeal to receive their mock results instead or sit autumn exams as a third option.

Chris Harvey, Strode careers advisor, said: "Most Strode UCAS applicants have been placed and we are working very closely with a small minority who we are supporting through clearing.

"So the vast majority of our students will meet their firm or conditional offer and with Clearing offers included it is likely that almost all students will be placed.

"We've seen a really interesting and diverse range of degrees this year including Korean and Teaching English; Natural History and Media; Immersive Computing, Chemical Engineering, Construction Management, Mental Health Nursing, Neuroscience and Architecture."

Strode principal Katy Quinn said: "The Triple Lock means that we still haven't got a final overall picture of results for our students and expect that grades will increase further.

"Students should be proud of what they have achieved and everyone at Strode wishes them all the very best of luck with their next steps."