Students at North Hertfordshire College celebrated excellent GCSE results achieving 92 per cent passes, and 57 per cent A* - C grades in English, maths, science and Spanish.

One of the star students was Tina Nelson from Stevenage.

She said: ‘’I studied GCSE science and I’m really, really pleased because I achieved an A grade and I only needed a C. Now I can go on to apply for my teacher training and hopefully become a primary school teacher.”

She chose to enrol at the college because it enabled her to study in the evenings which fitted in well with her full time job as a teaching assistant and looking after her two children.

Sarah Roethenbaugh from Stevenage said: “I came to NHC to study GCSE science to brush up on my science skills and knowledge before going on to study nursing at the University of Hertfordshire. With my A grade I can confidently go on to study nursing.”

Students were also high achievers in diplomas with excellent results achieved this year. Eighty per cent passed at foundation level and 91 per cent at higher level.

Matthew Donno from Stevenage achieved all A grades in his diploma, including an A* for his film project promoting the work of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.

He said: “One day I hope to be an IT technician. I’ve really enjoyed my time at college because there is a good atmosphere, you’re treated like an adult and I’ve made lots of new friends.”

Kerrie-Louise Jones from Letchworth GC completed a society health and development diploma with 10 A grades. She said: “I’m really pleased and now I can go on to study the advanced diploma. I’d like to be a nurse in the future and the diploma is a good place to start.”