South Devon College students celebrate excellent A Level results, with a 100% overall pass rate.

Students at South Devon College  celebrated as their hard work paid off after working through incredibly unusual circumstances again this academic year. Students can continue their journey with their heads held high after achieving an outstanding 100% overall pass rate. Over half of the student cohort achieved an excellent A* to B result. This continues the College’s history of exceptionally high pass rates. The College is also celebrating high results across a broad range of technical and professional qualifications. Today’s results have helped students to progress along their path to success, achieving places in top universities across the country. Some of the students celebrating their results today are Amy Barber, Elizabeth Bray and Ella James. Amy made an outstanding achievement getting an A* in Business, A* in English Language, A* in her Extended Project qualification and an A in History. She said “I’m over the moon with my results. The hard work really has paid off.” To cope with her nerves, she kept herself busy including spending this last weekend in London. Amy is now looking forward to studying History and International Relations at Kings College London. Amy said: “The college tutors were absolutely amazing, they made sure that I kept getting work throughout the summer and holidays to keep me on track.” Amy is circumspect about the lockdown; she says the experience is bittersweet.  “On one hand the lockdown gave me time and the opportunity to focus, especially so I could complete my Business A-level in one year. But, on the other hand our learning has been affected and it was easy to lack motivation. “I’m not disappointed to have missed out on sitting exams, because they are so stressful and, a test of memory rather than a test of knowledge.   “Inevitably there is a lot of scrutiny about this year’s grades. And I don’t think it any of it can be helped – the pandemic meant that our education this year wasn’t ideal, but we have to make the most of what we’ve got - we have to move forward.” Elizabeth also achieved fantastic results with an A in Politics, A in Photography and a B in History. “I feel so good now. So happy and relieved it’s over” she said. In the lead up to the day Elizabeth said “I was feeling calm until I was on the bus this morning but now I can relax again.” Elizabeth is looking forward now to studying journalism at East Anglia. Ella continued the trend of great results scoring an A in Film Studies, B in Media Studies, B in Sociology and B in her Extended Project qualification. She said “I’m really happy with my results. I didn’t feel too nervous as I had already received an unconditional offer for university but I still wanted to know how well I had done.” Ella is now continuing her journey studying Fashion Marketing at Cardiff University. University Centre South Devon, part of South Devon College, is now receiving high levels of enquiries for Degree and Foundation Degree programmes through its Clearing hotline.  Matthew Harbour, Vice Principal and Deputy CEO said, “Congratulations to all our successful students. The results achieved today are a testament to their hard work and dedication leading up to this point and will underpin their successful progression into the future. Many of our students have now earnt the necessary grades to secure places at universities locally or further afield, taking up apprenticeship opportunities or pursuing other exciting career routes.”  “At the end of what has been another challenging and very different academic year we are especially proud of every student and wish them well with their next steps. Thanks too to our fantastic A Level and curriculum staff who despite the challenges presented by the pandemic have worked devotedly with their students to support their learning and progression.”