EPNE colleges celebrate outstanding results across Level 3 qualifications

Students at Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form College are celebrating after discovering that they have gained the grades to achieve their future ambitions after collecting their A-Level, T Levels and technical results.

Hundreds of the group’s students received their results last week (Thursday 14 August) with many accepting offers from some of the country’s leading universities, progressing to higher level apprenticeships or starting a new career.

Outstanding individual achievements at Sunderland College included Isaac Johnson, who will progressing to a Degree Apprenticeship in Project Management at Gentoo after achieving A* A* B.

He said: “I felt really happy; I didn’t expect to do that well to be honest. I thought if I could get my target grades then I would be happy, but they were way higher than that.”

Siblings Lara and Harrison – who are also quadruplets – achieved AAA and AB and a Distinction respectively and will both be attending Leeds Beckett University in September.

Lara, who will be studying Speech and Language Therapy, said: “I was so nervous coming into college, I couldn’t sleep last night. When I opened the envelope, I was over the moon.”

Harrison, who will be studying Microbiology, added: “I knew I had got my place at university after checking the UCAS website so I was confident coming into campus but I’m really pleased.”

Sixth form students achieved a 89% pass rate with many subjects performing well. Film Studies, Criminology, English Literature, performed exceptionally, with students receiving high pass rates and A*-C grades.

Overall results this year included a 98% pass rate for students studying Level 3 technical qualifications and 82% of students achieving Merits and Distinctions with almost 50% of students achieving the best grades.

Proud A-Level student Benjamin Stevenson gained 4 A*’s in Physics, Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry at Hartlepool Sixth Form College.

Ben, who is heading to Oxford University to study Physics said: “I was ecstatic when I opened my results. All of my teachers have been amazing in helping me to get my results and pushing me to achieve more than just what I needed.”

Another delighted A-Level student, Amelia Connelly, achieved triple A’s in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. She said: “I was so relieved when I opened my results. The stress of worrying before was all worth it and I’m excited now for my after college plans.”

Amelia is going to Imperial College London to study Bio Chemistry.

Those studying T Levels also impressed with all courses performing in line with or above the national pass rate. Every student on courses such as Land Management, Design, Surveying and Planning in Construction and Heatlh achieving qualifications.

Northumberland college achieved an overall 99% pass rate for technical qualifications, with 89% of students achieving merits and distinctions in courses including Animal Management, Engineering and Information Technology.

Sophie Jobes, who studied Animal Management, achieved two Distinctions and a Merit and will be heading to Northumbria University to study Environmental Science.

Sophie added: “I was so pleased when I opened my results, studying here has given me the grades I needed for university, along with the help and understanding from the college staff.”

T Level Childcare student Emily Ricalton, who achieved a Distinction, will be heading to York St John University to progress with a degree in Primary Education.

Emily said: “I was really happy when I opened my results – I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received through college, and also the help and guidance I’ve been able to gain from my placement I’ve been in for the two years as well.”

A significant proportion of students across the colleges gained successful entry to university with 95% of those gaining their first-choice place.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Toni Rhodes said: “It has been great to see the achievements across our Level 3 qualifications.

We are always incredibly proud of all our students and staff that make days like today happen and we wish all out students’ huge success in their next steps.”

Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form are all now accepting applications from school leavers for their wide range of A-Level subjects, vocational and technical courses.