Posted: 18/08/11
College celebrates best-ever A Level results
West Notts is celebrating another record year for A Level results.
Today (18 August 2011) is national A Level results day and the college has recorded its best-ever overall pass rate of 99%.
- There were 740 exam entries at A2 and AS levels at the college this year, compared with 731 the previous year;
- Of these, 260 were at A2 level;
- The college achieved 100% pass rates in 15 out of 18 subjects at A2 level including law, maths, English language, history, geography, physics, biology, sociology, psychology, and government and politics;
- There were seven A* grades awarded to students – the highest possible grade – with one student achieving four A*s;
- A third of students (33%) achieved A* - B grades;
- A2 English language recorded a 100% pass rate for the fifth consecutive year;
- The college has seen almost double the number of A* and A grades at A2 level compared to last year (from 18 in 2009/10 to 32 in 2010/11);
- 70% of passes were at A*- C (up from 61% last year).
The college opened its doors at 7am to give students the earliest possible opportunity to get their results.
It also provided extra support for students needing to go through clearing to secure their university place. Students were given access to computers and telephones to contact UCAS and university admissions teams, while the college’s information, advice and guidance team was on hand to offer support.
There were jubilant celebrations when Cate Kendall achieved four A* grades in maths, biology, chemistry and psychology – and she becomes the college’s first-ever student set to go to Cambridge University.
The 20-year-old, from Mansfield, will study biological (natural sciences) with a maths and chemistry module at the UK’s second-oldest university, which she hopes will lead to studying cellular chemistry and a career as a medical researcher.
Cate said: “I was quietly confident I’d got the grades I needed because I did study very hard, day and night.
“But I had to ask my mum to open the results envelope for me because it was just too nerve-wracking after all the waiting. Now it’s taking a while to sink in that I’ve got four A* star grades in maths, biology, chemistry and psychology!
“I’m so proud that I’ll finally be going to Cambridge University to study biological and natural sciences with a maths and chemistry module. It’s beyond my wildest dreams.”
Cate’s mum, Pauline Kendall, added: “When I opened Cate’s results I initially thought she’d got four A grades. I was so happy for her but then I realised I was mistaken – she’d actually got four A*s!
“It’s just incredible – too much to take in. Cate was born in December and that was my best-ever Christmas present. Today is my birthday and discovering she’s got these amazing grades and is off to Cambridge University is the best birthday present I’ve ever had.”
Asha Khemka OBE, principal and chief executive, said: “These are absolutely outstanding results and testament to the hard work and determination of our students and their tutors.
“Our A Level results have improved significantly over the last four years and we are now one of the top-performing colleges in the East Midlands for academic achievement.
“It is fantastic that our reputation for vocational excellence is now matched by our outstanding academic results.
“I’m immensely proud of all our students and I congratulate them on their fantastic achievements. And I’m delighted one of our students will now study at Cambridge, which is a sign of the growing ambition and aspiration that our learners have.
“Many students are going to their first-choice university while others are remaining at college to study higher education programmes.
“I wish all of them every success for the future.”
Bianca O’Donnell, 18, from Shirebrook, said: “I was absolutely petrified the night before getting my results and didn’t get to sleep until 4am. Discovering I got four A grades in English language, law, history and psychology has left me completely shocked and delighted in equal measure.
“I’ve just texted my mum to tell her I’m going to the University of York and she’s really excited for me. I’m so relieved and am looking forward to going there to study law.”
Eve Lilley, 20, from West Bridgford, said: “I’ve got into my first-choice university so I’m really relieved. I got B grades in history, English literature and government and politics, which means I’m going to Queen’s University in Belfast.
“I can’t quite believe it! I’m going to the shops now to buy all the stationery I’ll need to take with me.”
Sarah Peel, 21, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, declared herself "proud" of achieving three A grades in English language, media and film studies, and a B is in photography.
"I’d been quite calm since the exams and felt confident I’d done well, but this morning I felt a bit panicky. So it’s a relief to get these strong results," she said.
“My next task it to update my CV and start to enquire about getting some work experience with a newspaper to help me get into journalism.”
Christopher Marriott, 18, from South Normanton, said: “I’m really happy because my A grade in environmental studies, B in geography and B in history means I’ve got a place at the University of Highlands and Islands, in Scotland, which is my preferred choice. I’ll be studying tourism management.
“I thought I’d get straight Bs so I’m delighted with my A grade. I’ve been lucky to have really good tutors and supportive colleagues at West Notts, although to be fair, I’ve put lots of effort into my studies.
“I’m off to university in three weeks and I can’t wait!”
And Ben White, 24, from Mansfield, said he was happy to get an A* in English literature, B grades in English language and Politics, and C in Geography.
“I was hoping for a higher mark in English Language but I’m pleased I can get into the University of Sussex to study English and philosophy," explained Ben.
“I’ve just telephoned my mum and she’s over the moon. I’m calling the university next to sort out my accommodation ready for the end of September.”
The college offers the largest choice of A Level subjects under one roof in Mansfield. It also offers a wide range of vocational qualifications and higher education courses including foundation degrees, HNDs and HNCs.
Anybody interested in studying at the college should call 0808 100 3626.
