Huddersfield A Level students have been celebrating their results today as they prepare to take their next step into education or careers.
On 17 August, Greenhead College was buzzing with anxious excitement as students attended to collect their results and find out whether they will be beginning their chosen degree or apprenticeship course this September. Students told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) of their pride and spoke highly of their time at the college.
The overall A Level pass rate at Greenhead was 98.2% (national average 97.2%), with 79.6% of all grades at A*-C (national average 75.4%) and 59.0% at A*-B (national average 52.7%), which is above the national average across all areas. 1276 students gained A Level passes in three or more subjects, with 30 students gaining A*/A in four or more subjects, and 186 gaining A*/A in three subjects.
One student collecting their results today was Anna Kiani, who has got a place at her first choice university – Leeds Trinity – to study Philosophy, Ethics and Religion. She aspires to become a university lecturer and eventually hopes to get her PhD.
She said: “I feel very happy because I got my first choice. I know I gave my all and I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved. Staff have given a lot to pupils who were disadvantaged due to Covid.
“This college has definitely given me that extra push and support that I wouldn’t have got elsewhere”
Matthew Burke was equally pleased after achieving three A*s in Maths, Chemistry and Biology. He is going on to study Medicine at the University of Leeds.
He said: “It was a surprise as the grade boundaries were so high this time. It’s nice to get some confirmation. You come out of the exam feeling that it’s gone fine but then you start second guessing. It’s a relief.”
Image: LDRS
Anna Kiani has got a place at her first choice – Leeds Trinity University – to study Philosophy, Ethics and Religion.
Elena Inch who has achieved two A*s and an A will be studying Graphic Design at her first choice university – Loughborough University. She said: “I’m really happy. I thought I was going to fail. I wasn’t happy with my creative writing exam and was convinced I didn’t do very well in that but I’m very happy.”
Speaking of her time at Greenhead College, she said: “I had a really good experience of college. There are loads of spaces to study and the teachers are really helpful.”
Also achieving high grades was Caitlin Holroyd, who got an A* and two As in Business, Law and Politics, respectively. She’s going on to study Law at the University of York.
She said: “I was so happy. I worked so hard and got the grades I needed. I either want to become a lawyer or do an MA in Politics. I’ve really enjoyed it here, it’s got a really good support system and the teachers are supportive and allow you to have your own independence.”
Ben Anderson (left) got two A*s and an A in Computer Science, Maths and Physics and will be doing a Degree Apprenticeship in Software Engineering. He said: “It’s nice to be coming to the end of a chapter. I loved college.
“My favourite bit was walking into Physics and shaking everybody’s hands. I loved the people. There’s lots of work but I handled it really well.”
Image: LDRS
Zain Tahir (right) achieved two As and a B in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. He said: “I was a bit upset at first as I expected to get grades a bit higher but they’ve upped the grade boundaries.
“Overall, I’m quite satisfied with my results and I definitely got what I needed.”
The pair explained how they had come to Greenhead College after going to high school in Heckmondwike and the benefits of having a change of environment. Zain added: “I found college to be one of the best choices I ever made. It’s flown by.”
College Principal Simon Lett said: “This summer’s exams were the first external assessments taken by this year group, as they were unable to sit their GCSEs in 2021 due to the pandemic.
“These fantastic results are a testament to our students’ resilience and high aspirations in incredibly challenging circumstances. They are all exceptional, inspiring, and talented young people and I couldn’t be prouder of them and our dedicated and hardworking staff.”
Meanwhile, over at Shelley College, Principal Dave Wadsworth said: “It has been fantastic to see so many happy students collecting their results this morning.
“We are really proud of the amazing results they have achieved. Their success is a credit to them, their family and our staff, and comes as a result of an amazing level of hard work, commitment and resilience over the last two years.
“As a year group they have performed really well, and although all students should be proud of their achievements, special recognition should go to Jess Sanders, Ben Fearn, Joe Booth, Jamie France, Kate Szydelko, David Hirst and Keira Parker whose academic progress over the last two years has been exceptional.
The college’s overall pass rate and percentage of students achieving A*-A, A*-B and A*-C grades have increased compared to its most recent pre-covid results from 2019. In several areas, the college has beaten the national average, achieving a 2.8% increase of A/A* grades (1.3% national average) and an increase in overall pass rate by 0.9% (0.3% decrease nationally).
Students who achieved highly include Sam Williams who got one A* and two As, securing a place at the University of Manchester to study Aerospace Engineering. Louisa Taylor achieved three As and will be studying Biochemistry at the University of York.
Bella Sykes will be studying with Leeds Beckett University for Sport and Exercise Science whilst continuing with her rugby career. Whilst Natasha Perrins will be going on to train as a Paramedic with the University of Huddersfield.
