The Da Vinci Studio School of Creative Enterprise in Letchworth saw its first cohort of students collect their BTEC results today.

With a creative curriculum based on practical learning and real work, the Broadway-based school offers BTEC Extended Diploma courses in media, music, acting, dance and production arts, as an alternative to studying traditional A-levels.

The school, working in partnership with North Hertfordshire College, achieved a 100 per cent success rate, with creative media production students Alice Black and Dhrutti Nariapara among the top performers.

Alice achieved triple distinction grades and is going on to study broadcast multimedia journalism at the University of Brighton, while Dhrutti achieved two distinction stars and a distinction and has secured a place at De Montfort University to study media production.

Niall Godding achieved the highest grades attainable – a triple distinction star in art and design. He will be heading to the University of Hertfordshire to study model design.

Talking about his time at the school, Niall said: “I’ve really enjoyed it here and it’s been really good for me. I didn’t know what I wanted to do but now two years later I’m going to university, and I never thought I’d go to university.

“The last few months I’ve been staying here until 6pm in the evening because I enjoy what I’m doing within the course whereas at other schools I couldn’t wait to leave. I’ve really enjoyed it here and I’ll miss it a lot.”

School principal Karen Barker said: “We are extremely proud of our students and the outcomes they have achieved. This shows that our unique combination of school-based hands-on learning and real life work experience, pays dividends for the success of our students.

“This further builds on the ‘good’ grade that Ofsted awarded us earlier this year for the sixth form provision and for the school as a whole. We wish them all the best in the future and look forward to hearing about all the fantastic things they go onto achieve.”

Mark Lewis, managing director of the schools’ trust which is sponsored by North Hertfordshire College, said: “These results are testament to the fantastic students and staff at the Da Vinci Studio School of Creative Enterprise. Going forward the Da Vinci Studio School of Creative Enterprise and our school sponsor NHC will be working through a closer working partnership.

“This will build on the strengths of each institution, to provide students aged 14 upwards with a direct pathway into the wide variety of careers available within the creative industries. I am really excited about the upcoming year and the opportunities the partnership will provide to young people in the area.”

The Da Vinci Studio School and NHC are enrolling students now onto a wide range of creative courses starting this September. To find out more visit www.davinci-school.co.uk or call 01462 424370.