GREAT A LEVEL/LEVEL 3 SUCCESS FOR NEW COLLEGE STUDENTS!

New College Swindon has the largest number of A-level learners in Swindon and Wiltshire, with almost 1200 exam entries for 16-18 year olds. Despite an incredibly challenging and extraordinary year, contending with CoVID and periods of lockdown, achievements are high.

Headline statistics:

• 52% of A levels at A*-B and over a quarter gaining A* or A grades
• 100% pass rates for 23 subjects
• 60% of A levels in STEM subjects - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Mathsachieved grades A*-B
• 60 Level 3 Vocational Diploma students achieved the highest grades with triple Distinctions. 

New College students and staff have worked hard together to ensure students are well-placed for a bright future and to compete for jobs and university places.

New College Swindon Principal & CEO, Carole Kitching, is delighted, stating:

“I want to say a massive congratulations to all of our students on their A-level and BTEC results. They have worked so hard over the past two years under such difficult circumstances and we are really proud of all of them and the success that they have achieved. I would also like to thank all my colleagues who have worked so hard to support our students.

They will progress to university, Apprenticeships and careers; some of them to higher education here at New College as well as our new Institute of Technology, launching next month.

I want to wish all the students who have received their results today every success for the future.”

23 subjects had a 100% pass rates: Ancient History; Art & Design (Fashion & Textiles); Art & Design (3D Design); Art & Design (Photography); Biology; Chemistry; Classical Civilisation; Drama & Theatre Studies; English Language; English Literature; Environmental Science; Film Studies; French; Geography; Government and Politics; History (20th Century British & American); History (20th Century British & European); Law; Media Studies; Music; Philosophy; Religious Studies; Spanish.

Over 50% of students achieved an A*, A or B in the following subjects: Accounting; Art & Design (Fashion & Textiles); Art & Design (Fine Art); Art & Design (Graphic Design and Illustration); Art & Design (Historical Practice); Biology; Chemistry; Classical Civilisation; Drama & Theatre Studies; Economics; English Literature; Environmental Science; Extended Project Qualification; French; Further Mathematics; Geography; History (20th Century British & American); Law; Mathematics; Media Studies; Philosophy; Psychology; Spanish.

Liam Holmes has achieved A*A*A*A* in History, Ancient History, Government and Politics and the Extended Project Qualification and is off to Peterhouse College at the University of Cambridge to study History. He said:

“I am really pleased and excited for what’s coming next. The teaching staff at New College are its biggest strength as staff teach with some enthusiasm for their course.”

Anais Barros achieved A*A*A*A* in Geography, History, Classical Civilisation and the Extended Project Qualification and is planning to study Archaeology at the University of Durham. She said:

“I am surprised and delighted with my results and really excited to be going to Durham. College was an enjoyable, interesting and engaging experience even through the lockdowns! “

Bisma Selham achieved D*D*D* in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science and will take up a place at the University of Warwick to study Biomedical Science. She said:

“New College has great facilities and provided me with many support sessions and extracurricular activities. The teachers and my peers were very supportive and friendly and they motivated me to dream bigger.”

Adult students (those aged 19+) often return to education after several years, to study for A Levels or a vocational qualification and 67.6% of grades awarded to 19+ students were at A*-B.

Many students took vocational qualifications at Level 3, including Extended Diplomas. These are equivalent to three A levels and a distinction is equivalent to top A-level grades. 44% of students achieved Distinctions in their results with 60 students gaining D*D*D*.

In 10 subject areas over 50% of students achieved at least one Distinction: Applied Science; Business; Childcare; Digital Media; Engineering; Health and Social Care; Performing Arts; Production Arts; Sport and Exercise Sciences; Travel and Tourism.

Many students have worked part-time whilst at New College and have picked up the skills and work behaviours that employers need, both through participation in virtual activities such as employability initiatives and business mentoring with local companies.

New College Swindon is predicting that, once again, a high number of students will gain university places following these results. In Autumn 2020, over 500 New College students won places at university and other higher education providers. 

Find out more about New College HERE!