SEVENTEEN sixth-formers have successfully passed a cookery course.

Students at King's College in Taunton undertook a 30-week programme to pass the Leiths Confident Cookery Course.

The programme, led by Patricia Stone, aims to ensure the pupils can cook for themselves.

The qualification also opens the door to future employment within the culinary industry.

Students performed exceptionally, achieving three top distinctions, 12 merits, and two passes.

Phil Lewis, the assistant head co-curricular at King’s College, said: "It has been really exciting introducing the new longer Leiths course to the school.

"The pupils dedicate one evening a week to the course and I have loved popping in to see them hard at work.

"Although our pupils thrive at King's academically we also pride ourselves on an all round education and the Leiths course is an excellent example of this, providing huge opportunity, experience and, in this case, a qualification, to add to their CVs.

"I can’t wait to see how next year's group get on - they will have big shoes to fill!"

The next year's course is already being booked up by students.