Students from Glastonbury and Meare have reflected on their grades after results day and are now looking to the future.

Alex Williams, from Glastonbury, went to Strode College in Street and in her A-levels received A* in Psychology, Religious Studies and her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), and A in English Literature.

The former student atCrispin School, in Street, will now be studying Psychology at Oxford College.

She said: "I was extremely excited to see my results.

"I was expecting satisfactory results as I had been given a place in Oxford.

"Psychology was my best subject, I do feel we missed some learning due to two lockdowns - however, the teachers soon caught up with online teaching.

"I learn better face-to-face. Strode helped me be focused and built up my independence skills."

Jack Williams, from Glastonbury, received grades of D*D*D* in his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production at Strode.

He previously went toSt Dunstan's School, in Glastonbury, and is now planning to study at the Brighton Screen and Film School.

"Strode has excellent film equipment and facilities," he said.

"This, together with the knowledge of the teachers, has helped me understand what it's like to work in the film and TV industry.

"It's also great to work with students who have similar interests.

"My teachers were always there to help me when I needed it, they always seemed to sense if I didn't understand something and lend a hand.

"Studying at Strode has made a difference to my learning, achieving a higher grade than expected is a testament to this.

"I will continue to create film now that I have left Strode – I am currently working on a project for a British Film Institute competition."

Abigail Shaw, from Meare, received four A* grades from Strode, in History (route B), Fine Art, English Literature and in her EPQ.

Previously a student at Wells Blue School, Abigail will now be studying English with Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London.

She said: "I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I was at school.

"But I loved my time at Strode, I enjoyed the freedom the college gave me as well as the social spaces it offered to complement my study.

"The support I received from my teachers was excellent as they would be continually making sure I was happy and on-track with my studies.

"I found out my results at 8.30am, but I had received a message from the university confirming my place a few minutes before."

Fellow Meare resident and Strode student Kelly Baker received A* grades in her English Literature and EPQ A-levels, with A grades in Maths and Physics.

Kelly also previously went to the Blue School.

She is taking a gap year to gain experience while working abroad before studying education or physics at university.

"I feel very good about my results, it is what I expected," she said.

"While at Strode I liked the social scene and the opportunity to be independent.

"That independence gave me a very good grasp of what university would look like with the freedom to study I experienced at Strode."