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Learners celebrating results

Outstanding performance and top grades - results day 2022


18 August 2022

What a day it’s been for ŮŸ!

The wait is finally over as learners and staff celebrate another incredible year of A Level and BTEC results at one of Wales’ top performing colleges. After a difficult year for learners, we’ve seen some strong results today, with outstanding performance in the higher A*-C grades at 79.2% and almost a third of learners achieving top A*-A grades. This means the majority of our learners have achieved their first-choice university places.

In the first year of a return to exams since pre-pandemic times, 1,324 students sat A/AS Level exams, and 1,045 learners studied Level 3 vocational BTEC qualifications across ŮŸ this year. We’ve continued to adapt to meet learners’ needs through an ever-changing post-pandemic environment, supporting many of our students as they experienced exams for the first time.

Thanks to our learners’ resilience and hard work, combined with unwavering support from tutors and staff, we proudly boast impressive learner outcomes for 2022 today. We’re celebrating a strong cross-campus A Level pass rate, despite the disruption COVID caused to learning over the past two years.

Learners celebrating results

Top A* grades were awarded to 79 high-flying students. Seven of these attained four A*/A grades and 50 were awarded three A*/A grades, with a number of students going on to study at Oxbridge and other Russell Group and Sutton Trust universities.

Meanwhile, BTEC learners joined the celebrations this year too, receiving results across 40 different vocational subject areas, and opening doors to a range of universities, apprenticeships and careers. Similarly, over 180 adult learners have successfully completed their Agored Access to Higher Education course with ŮŸ and will be progressing on to a degree course at university.

Vice Principal, Nicola Gamlin, said; We’re very proud of our learners’ achievements this year and want to thank the excellent staff who have supported them through a difficult time. Despite all the uncertainty of the last two years, our learners have again achieved excellent grades.

Faculty Director for Enterprise and Academic Studies, Ian Millward, commented; “This has proved to be an excellent set of results which will enable the vast majority of our learners to take up their first-choice university places. This has been made possible by the skill and dedication of the staff and the hard work of our learners.”

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Congratulations to all the learners who received results today. Take a look at some of our learner success stories below – it’s not too late to apply now to follow in their footsteps this September:

EvanCongratulations to Welsh language enthusiast, Evan Price, 18, from Ponthir. With grades A*AA, he’s going to Cambridge University to study Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic.

“ŮŸ staff were incredibly helpful in getting me there, providing feedback on personal statement drafts, specialist practice Ox-bridge interviews and lending books that were important to the course.”

Nell BridgesPontypool’s Nell Bridges, 18, previously from Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw, is stepping into the exciting world of Cambridge University this September after achieving grades A*AA and being accepted to study Geography.

“The level of support and encouragement at ŮŸ is exemplary. There’s no doubt that the college wishes the best for their students and is willing to go the extra mile to help their learners reach their highest goals!”

Thomas FrenchWinner of ‘Best Spanish Student in the UK 2022’, Thomas French, 19, from Newport, has earned a place at Cambridge University to study Modern and Medieval Languages, achieving A*A*A* in his A Levels.

“ŮŸ was fantastic in helping me prepare my application for Cambridge, from my tutor who worked hard to make sure everything was completed on time for early application, to certain teachers who took a real personal interest in supporting me and encouraging me through nerves, interviews and admissions tests!”

Cameron PriceWith a passion for science, 18-year-old Cameron Price, from Blackwood, is thrilled to receive A*AA today in his Biology, Chemistry and Maths A Levels. He’s now going to study Biomedical Science at Cardiff University, aiming to make it as a doctor in the future.

“One of my proudest moments at ŮŸ was making it onto the Seren programme. This gave me opportunities to go to special events set up by universities and useful tips on how to reach top grades in my A Levels.”

Freya DurbanFreya Durban, 19, from Nantyglo, scored A*A in her Psychology and Photography A Levels today. Previously from Brynmawr High School, Freya has achieved her goals and is going to the University of South Wales to study for a Chiropractic degree.

“Studying A levels at ŮŸ will allow me to progress to university to pursue the career that I want.”

Amelia SkyrmeFollowing her success in coming second in the Welsh Enterprise Skills Challenge this year, Amelia Skyrme, 17, from Cwmbran, got into the University of Liverpool to study Business Management, achieving distinctions in BTEC Business.

“It was our first proper year in the classroom since the pandemic, so I was a bit nervous actually going back into the classroom. However, everyone else was in the same boat so that made me feel a lot better!”

Bethanie Philpott18-year-old Bethanie Philpott, from Pontypool, achieved A Levels ABB, opening the doors for an exciting career in Business and a Project Management apprenticeship with BT.

“A Level Business has definitely prepared me, as I have worked with my lecturer to help me to learn about professionalism in the workplace as well as the general running of large businesses such as the one I’ll be working for.”

Tyler DaviesA career in F1 awaits Level 3 Motorsport Engineering learner Tyler Davies, 18, from Rogerstone, who achieved distinctions and is getting ready to progress to the level 4 course at ŮŸ this September.

“The course is more focused on industries that you can progress to, and much more focused on what I wanted to do in the future than any sixth form course. My lecturers were all passionate, friendly and supportive; I built friendships with new people; and the facilities at ŮŸ were of a high standard with access to things such as motorsports vehicles and 3D printers!”

Ann MattiBTEC Applied Science learner Ann Matti, 22, from Newport, is going to study Pharmacy at Swansea University after excelling with distinctions (D*D*D*), despite English not being her first language.

“As English is not my first language, I faced difficulties understanding all the materials in the course, but the teachers’ support at ŮŸ helped me overcome this.”