College’s pride at pupils’ exam results success

Derby College Group has heaped praise on hundreds of its pupils after collecting their A Level and T Level results.

Last Thursday, almost 500 students picked up their results from the college’s Joseph Wright Centre, in Derby.

According to the college, this year’s cohort, made up of nearly 400 A Level students and 84 T Level students, showed “exceptional dedication” and “worked extremely hard” to achieve their results.

Matt Ridgill, assistant principal for academic education at Derby College Group, said: “We are immensely proud of our students for their unwavering commitment to their studies.

“Results day was a celebration not only of academic achievement, but also of personal growth and resilience.

“These results are especially good considering that a level of support, brought in during the pandemic, has been removed.

“When compared with our 2019 results, our A*- A grades have increased by 91%, A*- B have increased by 27% and A*- C by 14%.”

Among the success stories was Rabina Burlakoti, 20, who achieved three Bs in A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Rabina had been with Derby College Group for four years since moving from Kathmandu in Nepal in 2019.

After gaining her GCSEs, she went on to take her A-Levels. She is now off to Keele University to study Medicine.

She said “I have loved it at Derby College and have especially enjoyed the practical side of the education.

“It has been such a good experience and I feel what I have learned has really equipped me for a great future.”

This year, 22 A Level subjects achieved a 100% pass rate and 99% of T Level students passed.

Derby College Group was one of the first providers to offer T-Level qualifications to students in 2020.

T Levels are 16 to 19 qualifications, broadly equivalent in size to three A levels, that focus on technical and vocational skills.

They can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships.

T Level students spend 80% of the course in their learning environment, gaining the skills that employers need.

The other 20% is a meaningful industry placement, where they put these skills into action.

This year, 81% of T-Level students achieved the highest grades, equivalent to 3 As or 3 Bs at A-level.

Kate Martin, deputy principal at Derby College Group, said: “The success of our T Level cohort is testament to the robust frameworks of these qualifications, which have been co-designed and co-delivered by a wide range of employers and these companies have played a vital role in the success of these students.”

The college’s BTEC and other Level 3 vocational and technical qualification results are also very strong.

Becky Catlin, 18, who achieved a BTEC in Engineering and Manufacturing, will be taking up an engineering apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce Nuclear in Derby, while studying part-time at the University of Derby.

She said: “I am so happy that I took the BTEC route instead of doing A-Levels.

“My dad already works for Rolls-Royce and has told me what a great company it is to work for.

“It will be so beneficial to learn while doing the job. I am so excited to be joining Rolls-Royce and what my future career will hold.”