STUDENTS at North Hertfordshire College cemented some impressive A-level and diploma results, with more than 95 per cent of university places confirmed for those that applied.

Success rates were some of the highest the college had seen, with 71 per cent of the A-level courses achieving a 100 per cent pass rate. The diploma results also fared well, with 92 per cent passing - up 20 per cent from last year.

NHC principal Fintan Donohue said: “I am delighted at the improved success rates this year for all NHC students at what is inevitably a difficult year for university places.”

One of those successes was Jayne Watson, 18, from Stevenage, who go A*s in psychology and biology and an A in chemistry.

She said: “I was completely shocked, I wasn’t expecting it at all. I applied to study Biochemistry at the University of East Anglia, I’m now going to try and either swap courses to study medicine or take a year out because I’ve always wanted to be a doctor.”

Daniel Darby, 18, also from Stevenage, achieved a grade A* in maths, an A in physics and a B in chemistry and is now going onto University College London to study Physics.

He said: “I didn’t have much confidence in maths until I came here and met my tutor. I’ve always enjoyed physics and would like to become a physicist.”

Emily Jackson, Natalie Morris and Emma Forster got places to study Primary Teaching at university, after achieving triple distinction grades in the BTEC Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development.

And 19-year-old Tom Hepworth from Stotfold got a double distinction in his BTEC National Diploma in Medical Science. He now plans to study Sociology at Lancaster University.

There are also a number of students at the college who plan to begin apprenticeships or start their own businesses.

Callum Haskins from Arlesey has already started work as a customer service representative for an insurance company and James Williams from Stevenage hopes to study a diploma at the NHC Peter Jones Enterprise Academy.