Success for A-level students across Cumbria

Sixth form students across Cumbria have been receiving their A-level results.

It is the first time these students have experienced national exams after GCSE exams for this cohort were replaced with teacher assessed grades after disruption caused by COVID-19.

Experts are warning that grades will be lower than the last two years – but students are being told not to worry.

The National Careers Service Exam Results Helpline is available for young people who need help or advice around exam results or next steps. To speak to a career’s adviser, call 0800 100 900 from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week.

Barrow Sixth Form College

Students at Barrow Sixth Form College are celebrating after achieving a set of outstanding results despite not sitting any formal exams at school.

The sixth formers came back to the Rating Lane campus for results day to open their envelopes and discover their grades to help them plan for their next steps at university, Higher Apprenticeships and employment.

The college saw outstanding grades throughout with their A-level and CTEC results with students securing places at top universities and higher apprenticeships.

Emily Titcombe has secured a place at the prestigious University of Oxford where she will be studying English literature.

The former Dowdales student achieved 3 A*s in English literature, photography and art and an A in film studies.

She said: “I’m really happy, I expected myself to do well because I put a lot of work in, but these grades have exceeded my expectations. I’ve told my family about my results and they’re really proud of me.

“I would like to thank my tutors, they were really motivating and supportive throughout my two years at college, they always went above and beyond and I’m so grateful for them.

“My advice to anyone thinking of applying to Oxford is, don’t feel put down by the fact people in this area don’t get as many opportunities, people are really supportive and will help you get to where you want to go if you are willing to put the work in.”

Another outstanding former Dowdales student Liam Buck achieved A-level grades of A*, A*, A in physics, maths, further maths and a grade B in his EPQ.

Liam has now secured a place at the University of Warwick and hopes to go into a career in finance.

Former Walney School student Alex Stephens achieved A-level grades of A, A, A, B in computer science, further maths, maths and media.

Alex has now secured his place at Cardiff University to study software engineering.

He said: “I felt sick this morning but then I opened my results and checked my phone to see my unconditional offer from the uni. My teachers have been amazing, Chris in media has been so lovely and supportive and Patrick my maths tutor is an amazing teacher.”

Head of sixth form Hilary Johns said she was delighted with the amazing results, which included top grades, secured top outcomes and a very strong pass rate comparable to pre-COVID levels.

She said: “These students didn’t sit GCSEs at school so to sit an A-level as their first exam must have been daunting to say the least.

“They have all shown fantastic resilience and determination and I am so glad that their hard work has paid off and all the students deserve their achievements.

“I’m so incredibly proud of each and every one of them, they are a credit to the college and we have been lucky to have such an outstanding set of students.”

Cockermouth School

Cockermouth School said it was celebrating another successful year for its students.

Headteacher Richard King said: “Cumbrian schools are proud to serve our children, their families and the communities they come from.

“Results this year demonstrate yet again the resilience of Cumbrian youngsters and their dedication to their studies.

“We know that the majority of students will be pleased with their results and will have the grades needed to go onto to their anticipated destinations in September.

“Their results reflect their hard work, their dedication and the support they received from their teachers and families.

“Today is about celebrating some of the incredible achievements of our young people. It is for this reason that we like to recognise the individual success stories below and congratulate all the young people on their achievements today and wish them all the very best for the future.”

Nineteen students gained three or four A/A* grades.

The school said: “Particular congratulations go to Molly Brew who achieved three A grades and Daniel Woodcock and William Vyner-Brooks who each achieved 3 A*s and 1 A grade.

“We are delighted with the successes of all our students, the overwhelming majority of whom have secured a place at their university of choice, on a highly competitive apprenticeship programme or in the armed forces.

“University places have been secured at a range of institutions to study subjects such as architecture at the University of Liverpool, project management apprenticeship at Atkins, astrophysics at the University of Edinburgh, English literature and creative writing at Lancaster University and primary and early years education at the University of Cumbria.”

Dallam School, Milnthorpe

Staff and students at Dallam School in Milnthorpe are celebrating the achievements of 74 pupils who sat their A-levels.

Headteacher Steven Henneberry said: “Our amazing young people have done so well in unprecedented circumstances. They were in year 10 when the pandemic hit and their GCSEs were cancelled, so this is the first time they have sat formal exams.

“They’ve also had to navigate all the stresses that a pandemic can create for families and friends. So we are celebrating tales of exceptional achievements, of triumph over adversity and students gaining a huge set of wider skills that will help them with their next steps.

” From sporting and musical successes to developing leadership and organisational skills by putting on community events and being role models and a source of support to students in years seven to 12.

“Eight of our boarders sat A-levels, and not in their first language. And we recognise their amazing achievements alongside living away from home, developing independence and resilience.

Among those with strong academic results is Matthew Acott. His two A*s and two As gain him a place to study physics at Durham University.

Edie McCoskrie’s A* and two A’s means she will go to the University of Portsmouth to study counter terrorism, intelligence and cybercrime. Tom Jameson secured three A’s and a C and has his sights set on studying engineering at university from 2024.

Matthew said: “I’m so excited to be going to Durham to study physics, it’s so nice knowing for certain now and I am so grateful for all the support I have had along the way.”

Edie said: “I’m really happy that all my efforts throughout my time at Dallam Sixth Form have paid off and I can’t wait to get started with my undergraduate degree at the University of Portsmouth”

Amelie Brockbank is off to the University of Stirling to study sports development and coaching as a result of getting two A* and a B. She is celebrating with tickets to watch Stormzy perform in Victoria Park, London this weekend.

The strongest performing boarding student is Michaela Hird, whose three Bs gain her a place at Nottingham Trent University to study accounting and finance.

Mr Henneberry added: “We expect the vast majority of our students to secure places at university, commence apprenticeship schemes or enter employment. And there are a wide range of opportunities elsewhere as a plan B. We’re here to help with that and with staff taking calls and dealing with enquiries over the next few days.”

Furness College

The first cohort of T-level students at Furness College after receiving remarkable results.

T-level health students and T-level education students at the Channelside campus achieved top grades and will now progress onto higher apprenticeships, employment and university.

Former Dowdales student Rhiannon Biggins successfully achieved a distinction in T-level education and is now progressing onto a higher apprenticeship in project management at BAE Systems.

She said: “I’m very happy about my result and I’m so proud of myself for how well I have done and I’m sure my family will be too once I get chance tell them.

“Studying a T-level has helped me secure my higher apprenticeship because you get the experience in the workplace and you learn how to be more professional.

“I enjoyed the course especially the placement, there are observations and it helps you develop to your practical skills and be assessed and not just sit exams.”

Leo Myerscough who achieved a distinction and is going to work for Furness Academy. He said: “I’m overjoyed, it’s a massive weight off my shoulders knowing I did so well and it’s really boosted my confidence getting a distinction.”

“I would encourage anyone to do a T-level if you know your career ambitions before, unlike other subjects it offers a direct route into a specialised area and the 45-day work placement gives you brilliant opportunities.”

Keith Wardle, head of faculty, foundation learning and people services at Furness College, said: “Students have all had a really positive experience with good local employers over the two years. The T-levels have enabled all the students to move onto apprenticeships and full-time jobs.

“The students should be really proud of themselves embarking on any qualifications is a challenge but they have been dedicated and hardworking and they’ve achieved outstanding results, which are fully deserved.”

Former UVHS student Ferne Allen achieved a distinction in T-level health and is now applying for a nurse associate apprenticeship with University Hospitals Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, where she successfully completed her industry placement.

She said: “I’m really happy, I didn’t expect to get a distinction, I thought I did average but I’ve surprised myself. The course has had its ups and downs but the industry placement and the Clinical Skills Suite have helped massively with my learning, it’s solidified my ambitions of working in the healthcare sector.”

Jessica Jackson achieved a merit in her studies. She said: “I’m shocked and excited, my result has given me a lot more confidence. My mam has already started crying because she’s so excited for me.

“I absolutely love my classmates, they have helped me a lot and we have pulled through this together.

“I want to give a massive thank you to my tutors and those who I have worked with on my industry placement, they have been there for me the whole time and helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Sue Hannan, assistant principal, curriculum and T-level lead for Furness College, said: “These students took a chance on a new qualification and it’s paid off for them. I am delighted with their success and we look forward to following their journey in health and education.

“It’s been a challenging and complex qualification with real academic rigour but we can clearly see how much this has helped the students prepare for their next steps, and, of course, thanks must go to our staff who have worked so hard to bring T-levels to life.”

Lakes College, Lillyhall, near Workington

Ruaraidh Slaughter-Thomson collects his T-level results

The first students to complete T-levels courses at Lakes College are celebrating a 100 per cent pass rate.

This summer marks the first cohort of learners at the college to finish the two-year courses, which the college started offering in 2021.

All of the college’s second year T-level students passed, with a quarter of those learners earning a distinction and almost half achieving a merit.

Chris Nattress, principal at Lakes College, said: “It’s been a fabulous day here at Lakes College celebrating the results of our T-level and Level 3 learners.

“It is our first group coming through the T-level programme, which differs primarily from A-levels in the way that they’re linked directly to occupations and careers.

“Students are without doubt challenged by the demands of T-levels; however, our experience is that if done properly they rise to it and today is a really good example of what can be achieved.”

The college was one of the first providers to deliver T-levels, beginning with health, construction, science, digital, education and childcare.

It has since expanded its offer to include business and engineering.

Nathan Richards has secured an internship in a digital support role with a Sellafield Ltd contractor after completing his T-level in digital.

He said: “I previously studied a year of sixth form and decided it wasn’t for me, but the T-level course was completely different and changed my outlook on education.

“The support I received was overwhelming, and my tutors have been there for me since I started.”

Millie Lawler, who studied the T-level in health and is now off to study at Liverpool John Moores University and pursue a career in the industry, said her experience at Lakes College had been ‘life changing’.

Katie Potter studied Level 3 Uniformed Services, achieved a distinction and will now study professional policing at Edge Hill University.

She said: “I’ve always wanted to go into policing and my course has enabled me to take this next step in getting there.”

Ullswater Community College, Penrith

Headteacher Stephen Gilby said: “At Ullswater Community College, we are incredibly proud to serve our young people, their families and the wider community of Penrith and Westmorland and Furness.

“Results this year once again demonstrate the resilience of all our students and their dedication to their studies over what has been another tumultuous few years, exceeding national averages at grades A*-C.

“The fantastic achievements of the students are made all the more special because of the challenges they and their families have had to overcome.

“We know that the vast majority of students will be pleased with their results and now have the keys to go on to their anticipated destinations in September. Their results reflect their hard work, their dedication and all the support they have received along the way from their teachers and families.”

Head of sixth form Rob Jackson added: “Our students are incredible and deserve all the success they have achieved. They are also more than the sum of their grades. Today is about celebrating and it is for this reason that we would like to congratulate each and every one of them on their achievements and to wish them all the very best for the future.

“We would also like to recognise those individuals who have shone for all sorts of reasons and some of the individual successes below.”