It has been a momentous day (Thursday August 15) as Derby College Group (DCG) students came together to collect their highly anticipated A-Level and T-Level results.
This year’s cohort has shown exceptional dedication and worked extremely hard to achieve their results.
Many of the 363 A Level and 67 T Level students have collected their results from the Joseph Wright Centre (JWC) in Derby. With this year’s student cohort having the opportunity to study over 30 subjects.
Two-thirds of Derby College Group’s A-level students have achieved C or above, with a third of them gaining A or A*.
Matt Ridgill, Derby College Group’s Assistant Principal for Academic Education commented: “I am incredibly proud of all the students who have worked tirelessly to achieve their results.
“And it is excellent that the those that have chosen to go to university, predominantly will get their first choice.
“It is important for everyone collecting their results to understand that there is a wide range of options still open to them.
“We therefore have information available for students about apprenticeships, clearing and the College’s Higher Education study programmes.”
“It has been so good to see so many of the students grow in confidence and increase their skills over the last two years. And I would like to thank the dedicated teaching and support teams for investing so much time and care in the students so that they have had a great experience at the College.”
There were so many stories of exceptional achievement, here is a selection of them:
Lewis Smith 18 is celebrating getting his predicted grades of A in Biology, A in Chemistry, A* Geology and an A* in his Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and is now off to the University of Derby to study bio-medical science.
Lewis, from Stenson Fields, attended the City of Derby Academy for GCSEs and chose to come to Joseph Wright Centre (JWC) as he had a particular interest in physical geography.
He said: “Derby College had a Geology A level course which appealed to me. JWC has been great – it’s friendly with great teaching and good access to resources.
“After university, I’d like to go into immunology and pathology research.”
Lewis is not the first member of his family to come to DCG. His mum Michelle, who is an analytical chemist, studied for her A-levels at the old Wilmorton College and his dad Mark studied Horticulture at Broomfield Hall.
Noah Wilson, who is 18 and from Alvaston has the A-level grades he needs to go to Nottingham University and study law. With him gaining As in Criminology, Law, and Psychology and he also enhanced his A-levels with an EPQ .
He said: “I decided to go down the traditional route of A-levels as it’s what I needed to do to study law at a top University. I’m not sure which area of law yet but possibly employment law.
“We did a mock employment law case as part of my course, and now I have a part-time job it’s heightened my interest. I’ve loved the freedom of studying at JWC.”
Nayab Aslam, 18 from Chaddesden would also love a career in law.
She achieved A*s in Sociology, Criminology and her EPQ and a B in Psychology, securing her a place on a law degree course at Nottingham Trent University.
She said: “I’m the daughter of immigrant parents and they have always encouraged me to pursue what I want to do in life. I was just 18 months old when we came to the UK from Pakistan.
“They didn’t go to university but they’re very proud of me and my brother who is now in his second year at Nottingham Trent University studying engineering.
“I was drawn to law and criminology partly by programmes on TV when I was growing up but also because I want to do something that makes a difference to people’s lives.”
Liana Coman, 19, is off to Southampton University to study accounting after getting an A in Criminology and Bs in Law and Business, as well as an A in her EPQ.
Liana, who wants to be an accountant when she graduates came to Derby from Romania when she was 15 and initially came to DCG to do English Language GCSE.
She said: “The staff at JWC have been fantastic. It’s not just teaching but the pastoral support and coaching too. They’re always there for us if we need them.”
Scott Butterly, 18 from Borrowash has a place to study theology at Nottingham University. He got Bs in History, English Language, and English Literature as well as an A in his EPQ.
He said: “I came to Derby College because of the outstanding teaching. The staff here go above and beyond for us. It’s been great. I’ve grown as a person during my time at JWC.”
Scott would like to go into teaching or research after University.
Tyler Bains aged 20 and from Littleover, has studied at DCG for four years – initially enrolling on the electrical installation full-time course at the Roundhouse.
While on his level 3 he realised he wanted to go on to University so moved to the JWC to do A-levels, achieving As in Physics and Computer Science and an A* in Maths.
He said: “I needed A, A, and B grades so I’m very happy that my results exceeded expectations and to be going to Bristol University to do a physics degree.”
