KIDDERMINSTER'S Baxter College has continued its great strides of improvement after students and staff helped more than double A level scores.

Champagne corks were popping last Thursday after results confirmed a massive 124 per cent increase in the average point score gained by pupils. The statistic leapt from 371 to 832 points in just a year.

The number of youngsters choosing to stay on at the Habberley Road school's sixth form is also an indication of the turnaround in fortunes.

A total of 52 teenagers sat the post-16 exams this year, compared to 23 in 2003. That figure is expected to almost triple to more than 150 when youngsters return in September.

Another statistic that has delighted headteacher, Dave Seddon, is that every one of the 94 per cent of year 13 pupils who applied to study at university has successfully secured a place.

The "superhead", brought in to change the fortunes of the once failing former Harry Cheshire High School three years ago, paid tribute to the hard work of staff and students.

Mr Seddon said: "I always say the improvements are down to a team effort but the kids are the ones that have decided to stay on. The decision is massive because we are talking about their futures.

"These sixth formers would have been pupils at Harry Cheshire for two years. It shows we are going in the right direction because more and more want to stay on here instead of going elsewhere. I am delighted for them all."

Mr Seddon added the ContinU partnership scheme, which gives youngsters the chance to study on courses at different Wyre Forest schools while remaining at their "base school," has played a big part in the success.

He explained: "ContinU has worked really well. It has been an absolute pleasure working with other schools.

"In the past there may have been a sense of competition but that is not the case and the most important thing is the kids are the people benefiting."