Our students have secured exciting opportunities in education and work after celebrating some fantastic results.

Our Park Lane campus was awash with excitement on Thursday 14 August as learners came in early to find out how they’d done in their A levels and a whole range of Level 3 vocational qualifications.

Among those celebrating were A level students Wiktoria Remisiewicz and Alex Gordon.

Flying high

Alex’s results, achieving an A in chemistry and physics and an A* in biology, means his goal of becoming an RAF pilot is still on track.

Declaring himself ‘very happy’, he singled out our college for praise as he reflected on his time with us.

He said:  “I’ve had a year at another college before and it’s a different world – you’re treated a lot better here, there’s a lot more respect and when people need help you get help.”

Looking ahead, he added: “I’m applying to the RAF -I’m going to be a pilot one way or another so I’ll figure that out, it’s a long process.”

Wiktoria Remisiewicz secured an A in biology and Bs in chemistry and psychology.

She said: “I did very well, better than I expected, so I’m really glad with my results, really happy.

“I’ve really liked my time in sixth form, the teachers really helped me a lot – there was a lot of motivation to do well.

“I’m now going to do a gap year to figure out what I want to do at university, and might do some travelling.”

‘Challenging, rewarding and full of opportunities’

Lots of BTEC students also had cause to celebrate, including Prince Kuruvilla, who was delighted with his results – Merit, Pass and Pass – in Applied Science. Prince is now looking forward to a gap year before continuing his education in the fields of either public service or health care.

He said: “I never thought I’d get this far but I think I’m pretty much there now with the UCAS points I’ve got.

“I’m feeling pretty good. My time here has been challenging, rewarding and full of opportunities. There are teachers who want to help you and you can go anywhere in the college to ask for help.”

Next stage in a remarkable journey

For Zuhal Akhundzada, Level 3 results day marked an important next stage in the remarkable educational journey she’s been on since fleeing Afghanistan in 2021.

Zuhal and her family, who were especially at risk due to her father’s work with the British Army, were relocated to the UK after the Taliban seized power.

For the 20 year old, who is now a step closer to her dream of forging a career in medicine, that represented a massive challenge.

But she got on track by signing up with us, first to do our Step-Up Pathway and then A levels.

Speaking after finding out her grades in A level maths, chemistry, biology and Persian language, she said: “Today is great for me and I’m thinking positively, because it’s about the results of all the hard work I’ve put in.

“My experience has been a bit unusual because in this short time since coming to the UK I’ve had to do GCSEs, A levels, with English as my second language: and everything was new.”

Although Zuhal’s results weren’t quite what she was aiming for, they were still strong enough to give her a range of options to continue her goal of going to medical school. She is now studying for her University Clinical Aptitude Test as she weighs those choices.

She said: “Nothing will stop me achieving my dream.”

Opening up a path into dentistry

Parsa Nourouzzangani, who has his heart set on a dentistry career, achieved three As in biology, chemistry and maths.

Like many students, he endured a restless wait ahead of finding out his results. He said: “I got around two hours’ sleep last night, the adrenaline has been running strong!

“I was quite stressed before collecting my results but now the pressure is relieved, and I have a path now into dentistry (hopefully in Leeds), that’s the important thing.

“These were subjects I liked and thought I’d do well in, and I’m quite happy to have got three As – though I did better in my mocks. Those three letters don’t fully represent me, but they are a start.”

Politics at Durham for Ella

Ella Gatehouse was over the moon with her grades – two A*s and an A – in Media Studies, Politics and English Language.

Ella is now preparing to study politics and international relations at the University of Durham, and will take fond memories of her time here with her. She said: “It’s been really good for my confidence and everyone’s just so supportive, it’s a really nice community.”

Praise for staff and students – plus some advice

Principal Dr Phil Mark, reflecting on the overall results, said: “It’s been a fantastic day.

“The results have been really, really positive, some of the best we’ve had for a number of years and the students are really happy.

“The success is all down to the students and the teachers; we’re so pleased with the way the students have been supported by their staff.”

He also had this message for anyone who might not have got what they wanted: “Talk to your staff members; talk to your pastoral coach or to a teacher – we’re here to support, so come in and have a conversation.

“We’re really optimistic we’ll be able to find a route through to your preferred destination, be that university or an apprenticeship, there will be lots of options.”

The government has made the decision to cancel the 2020 summer examinations. We realise there will be a lot of unanswered questions as the guidance is quite limited at this stage, but we wanted to share with you what we do know or expect to happen.

This information is applicable to the summer exams for GCSEs, A levels, BTEC and some other equivalent vocational qualifications. Other qualifications’ awarding bodies may require students to sit an exam and/or assessment at a later date.​

Students will be awarded grades which fairly reflect the work they have put in. Please rest assured we will be doing everything we can to ensure that each student is awarded the grade they deserve in recognition of their hard work. It is clear from the announcement that every effort will be made to make sure that students will not be disadvantaged and will be able to progress as appropriate, to the next stage of their lives. 

Teachers will be asked to submit judgements about the grades students would have received if exams had gone ahead. This judgement will be informed by a range of evidence and data which could include; 

• A wide range of assessments completed by students over the course of the year 
• Mock examination grades 
• Class work and coursework

This will then be combined with prior attainment data and expected pathways to produce a calculated grade that is fair and expected. We will work closely with the exam boards to ensure that every one of our students achieves the right outcomes based on what is fair and reflective of their performance. This is important for adult learners or students who have only been studying their subject in this academic year.

For those who have exams as part of a vocational or technical qualification, some units will have already been assessed and completed. These will be important evidence in informing the final awarded grade. We will follow the guidance and work with the awarding organisations to ensure there is a flexible and pragmatic approach, so these students are not disadvantaged in any way. 

It is intended that students will be awarded their calculated grades before the end of July. Be reassured that grading and certification will look the same as in previous years.

Where students feel that their calculated grade does not reflect their performance, the option to sit an exam at the earliest reasonable opportunity will be available, or in the summer of 2021.

Students should continue with their remote learning as planned and supported by their teachers. This will make a difference in readiness for their next steps, and in completion of any assessments that may be used to inform the calculated grades. You should contact your tutor/s if you need any support.

We would like to offer assurance that although our ‘in college’ normal way of working has been interrupted, you can still apply for your next steps at college. We are doing different types of (safe) interviews and you will hear from us in due course. 

We look forward to celebrating the achievements of all our current students and meeting those who are yet to join us, as we plan for the new academic year ahead.