Sixth form students have raised £2,008 for NHS Charities Together and the MPS Society, which provides support to families affected by rare genetic conditions.

A week of events held at breaks and lunchtimes at The King Alfred School Academy in Highbridge ended the academic year, including fundraisers such as Soak the Teacher and a bushtucker trial.

As well as this, a Rag Week walk took place through Burnham town centre, where shoppers gave students in fancy dress £800 for the charities.

Weston Mercury: The King Alfred School Academy (TKASA) students.The King Alfred School Academy (TKASA) students. (Image: Shane Dean)

A spokesperson for the TKASA student union said: “We are so proud of everyone involved in raising for these fantastic charities.”

Some 36 per cent of the year 13s at TKASA have offers from Russell Group universities, with a three-year rise in offers from Oxford and Cambridge.

The range of courses to be studied includes music, psychology, medicine, maths, sport, history, law, biology, politics, photography and film.

The sixth form is part of The Priory Learning Trust and attracts students from Weston, Bridgwater and beyond.