Students at Buxton & Leek College are celebrating today after collecting their GCSE results, with the college beating the national average pass rate by 10% for GCSE maths and with English a whopping 14% higher.
Bucking the national trend for the fifth consecutive year, almost 100 students passed their GCSEs at the college. There was a sense of anticipation and tears of joy as envelopes were ripped open at both the Buxton and Leek campuses.
Having missed the grade when they were assessed at school, adults (19+) are able to re-sit GCSE Maths and English for FREE at the college if they were unable to previously gain a pass.
Abbi Colclough, 17, from Dove Holes, Nr. Buxton, was thrilled at achieving Grade 5 in GCSE English. Abbi said, “I want to go into children’s nursing and plan on going to Sheffield Hallam University. I’m about to start my second year at Buxton & Leek College in Health & Social Care with Psychology. I’m so pleased with my result.”
Lucy Fletcher, 17, from Leek, was incredibly pleased achieving Grade 4 in GCSE English “I passed on my second attempt, I didn’t think I was going to. This will really help me in my future career”
Charlotte Narejko, 41, from Buxton achieved Grade 4 in GCSE English and said, “I’m planning to go to the University of Derby to study Psychology and I then want to do a masters and possibly even a PhD. I want to work in clinical psychology, I’m very happy with my result today!”
Nicola Cartwright, 49, from Cheddleton, was over the moon with being awarded a Grade 5 in GCSE Maths. Nicola said”, I’ve passed 30 years late but this means I can now start my teacher training.”
Josh Horrobin, 18, from Ashbourne, was proud to be awarded a Grade 4 in GCSE English. Josh said, “I plan to go on to study Travel and Tourism. I tried to focus throughout the year to pass English so I can pursue my career”.
Sophie Beech, 17, from Cheadle, passed GCSE English with a Grade 6. She said, “I’m so pleased as I don’t have to retake it again. I’m now going on to Level 3 Art & Design”.
Also celebrating was Thepparussameel Yingphetra, 37, from Leek who was awarded a Grade 5 in Maths. “I was worried I wouldn’t pass but I did!”.
Rose Gregory, 18, from Leek, was proud of herself at passing GCSE English with a Grade 4 on her third attempt. Rose said: “I’m in shock I have finally passed, it means I will get my future career on track.”
“Our students have achieved some excellent GCSE results yet again, and their achievements are a testament to the commitment which they have demonstrated throughout the year. These are the first GCSE summer exams since 2019 and our students have embraced this challenge.” said Len Tildsley, Buxton & Leek College Principle.
When students retake their GCSE English and maths after leaving school it is difficult in the best of years, but despite being faced with a disrupted education and lost learning during the global pandemic, BLC students have thrived under the guidance of our expert teachers. Our award-winning English and maths staff have expertly taught and delivered a bespoke curriculum to bridge gaps in students’ knowledge, by creating a different and productive learning experience, nurturing a renewed self-confidence which allows our students to achieve where they had failed at school”.
Lyndsey Mollison, Curriculum Leader for Maths and English said, “We are so proud to be celebrating our student’s excellent results this year, which includes high grades of 7 and 8’s being achieved in both maths and English. Against the backdrop of disrupted learning, students have demonstrated commitment, resilience and a ‘can do’ approach. These achievements enable students to progress further in their education or career pathway and we wish them all the best of success in their future journey.”
Nikki Pointon, GCSE English Tutor at Leek said “With students facing true exam conditions, some for the very first time, I couldn’t be more delighted with our results and proud of our students. Some of our GCSE students have achieved outstanding Grade 8 results in maths and English which is fantastic”.
Joe Lawler, GCSE English Tutor at Buxton campus, said, “To achieve 14% above the national average for GCSE English is remarkable. Since September the students have remained focused, committed and determined to pass English following two unfortunate years of interrupted education. Their drive is backed up by the outstanding results today. I am incredibly proud of the students’ accomplishments.
“A special mention goes out to the high-performing GCSE English adult students who were on our eight-week fast-track course – a course the college introduced this year and will continue to offer. Our college continues to excel in delivering GCSE resit provision, both in English and Maths”, said Joe.
Buxton & Leek College offer GCSEs in maths and English at both their campuses and there is also a Fast Track option for designed for self-motivated learners who would like to work through the courses with a condensed, fast-paced curriculum. For more information, go to https://www.blc.ac.uk/adults/maths-english/
For students who may not have achieved the grades they were expecting, the Information, Advice and Guidance Team at the college can offer expert advice to go over all your options. Go to blc.ac.uk or contact the team on 0800 074 0099 or email enquiries@blc.ac.uk.