Sidcot School in Winscombe, the first independent school in this area to offer the International Baccalaureate, has seen its first students successfully complete the qualification.

Head teacher John Walmsley said "The course has a broader curriculum, is recognised all over the world and hasn't suffered from grade inflation in the same way that A-levels have, so universities think very highly of it.

"I am delighted with the expertise of the staff and dedication of the students in working with a new diploma curriculum."

He said the school's grades for the International Baccalaureate worked out two points above the national average and equivalent to three grade- As and a B at A-level.

He said: "These brilliant results demonstrate the quality of teaching we provide as a school and how we all rose to the challenge of taking on an entirely new learning experience".

Mr Walmsley's son, James, was one of the pioneer IB students at Sidcot.

James said: "My ambition is to study medicine at university and I know how difficult it is to get offers. I was fortunate enough to receive three offers from my chosen universities and I honestly believe that doing the IB gave me the edge I needed."

Two other local students who did exceptionally well were Jamie Hutchinson, from Churchill, who gained 39 points (equivalent to five grade-As at A-level) and is going on to study law at Southampton, and Stephen Gower, from Winscombe, who gained 36 points (equal to four grade-As and a C at A-level) and is going on to study accounting and finance at Cardiff. And Sidcot school has been recognised by The Good Schools Guide for its A-level maths results.

The school had the best results achieved by boys taking further mathematics at an English independent school. This has been awarded on the basis of the data for Sidcot's post 16 performance for the three years 2006, 2007 and 2008 combined.