Students at North Hertfordshire College are celebrating today as they collect their GCSE results.
This year, NHC students sat more than 900 maths and English GCSE exams – with many also taking vocational qualification designed to help them progress in their future career.
College principal Kit Davies said: “We’re incredibly proud of all our students celebrating their exam results today. We’ve had some great success stories and are pleased to see so many of our students already progressing to higher level courses, university, apprenticeships and into exciting new careers.
“This year has been a hugely successful one for NHC. Our overall achievement rates for 2015/16 were the highest of any college in Hertfordshire, and we hope that trend will continue when the results for 2016/17 are published.
“We’re seeing more students than ever applying to study at NHC because they recognise our dedication to supporting them with their next steps and, ultimately, getting them where they want to be in life.”
Although 1-9 grades have now been introduced for English and maths at schools across England, NHC has opted to introduce the new grading system for the next academic year – something the college was able to do as the two subjects can be taken in one year instead of two.
Among those collecting their GCSE results today was level 3 media student Luke Gray, who achieved a grade C in his GCSE maths. Luke said: “I’m feeling good as I had a real negative time with GCSEs, so I’m really happy.” Luke will now progress to the level 3 extended media course at NHC.
Level 2 business student Chi Chi Anene achieved an A in maths and a C in English. Chi Chi said: “I was so nervous today and now I am so excited! I can continue my education in the way that I want!”
New NHC student president and level 3 public services student Mitchell Holloway recorded a C in maths and said: “I’m feeling really pleased with my results. It’s such an important thing to achieve. I’m no good at maths but if you put in the effort, you’ll achieve.”
Mitchell will serve as student president for a year and then he aims to become a police officer.
Julie Lower, an adult learner who attended NHC to take her English and maths GCSEs to improve her career prospects, achieved two Cs in the subjects.
Julie said: “Both tutors have been excellent. As an older student, I was never made to feel stupid and was welcomed into the group.
“I will be sad to miss everyone and the whole experience has given me a new lease for life, I wish I did it years ago! I can now look at what I want to do in life and this have given me the opportunity to choose a brand new career.”
Sinead Comiskey, a level 2 health & social care student, got a C in English. Sinead said: “I’m so relieved! It was great fun and probably the best year of my life. I did a placement at Trembaths care home in Letchworth and they have now offered me a full time job as a care assistant, which I’m starting in September.”
Rebecca Rutherford, head of maths and english at NHC, said: “I’m really happy with the results achieved by NHC students in their GCSE English and maths exams today.
“Many NHC students are taking these exams for the second time and it’s really thanks to their hard work, and that of our talented tutors, that so many of them have achieved the grades they needed to progress onto their next steps.”
NHC are now enrolling on courses starting in September 2017 and offer a range of options, no matter what GCSE results you received. For more information or to enrol, go along to an NHC campus with your exam results, visit nhc.ac.uk or call 01462 424242.
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