STUDENTS at North Hertfordshire College will get to go on and do their dream jobs and degrees, after passing their GCSEs.

Julie Lanaway has a degree in psychology, but has missed out on job opportunities and further courses because she did not have C grades in GCSE English and maths.

But this year, she got the grades needed to proceed.

“I’m relieved and excited,” said Julie.

“I didn’t do very well at school and now I can apply for things and not have my previous results hold me back.”

Both Hollie Crease and Danny Buckley re-took their GCSE science so they could get the grades they needed to go to university. Hollie will study primary school teaching, and Danny will study sports studies.

Sophie Manarin, 17, from Watton at Stone did not get to do her English GCSE at school, so took it this year at the college. She got an A.

“I am extremely surprised,” she said.

“I’m really pleased and now I’m hoping to go on and study Criminology and Law at college next year.”

Overall, 99 per cent of students passed their GCSEs – a six per cent improvement on last year.

Science grades were exceptionally high, with all students getting A*-C grades.

Angela McLean, head of curriculum for GCSEs, said: “We are exceptionally pleased with these results.

“Our students’ achievements just keep getting better and better and this is due to a lot of hard work from our students and staff.

“For the majority of our students the college environment is one in which they can succeed where they have not done so previously.”

The college is launching the GCSE Academy this September, a one year fast-track course for students who did not achieved five A*- C grades in their exams this summer.

Students will have the opportunity to retake some GCSEs, whilst experiencing some new ones and upon successful completion of the course can progress onto the full-time two year A-level course or other Level 3 courses.

For more information, call 01462 424242 or visit www.nhc.ac.uk