Students at Activate Learning’s Reading College and University Centre have been celebrating after collecting their GCSE results.
The college says that more than 96% of students taking maths and English GCSEs achieved a pass in this year’s exams.
Those taking Citizenship Studies, English Literature, Geography and Statistics all secured a 100% pass rate, while many of the college’s GCSE students are learners or mature students who resit maths, English or both, to continue in education or progress their career.
Cheri Ashby, deputy chief executive of Activate Learning, said: “I would like to wish a massive congratulations to the thousands of students who are collecting their successful GCSE results from across our Activate Learning colleges and online provision today.
“For many of our students receiving their GCSE results today, this isn’t their first attempt at them. Which is why, for me, it makes it all the more satisfying, as we get to see people succeeding where they previously haven’t and overcoming the challenge of previous failure, where they’ve pushed themselves to achieve.
“This is testament to our Learning Philosophy and the work we do with students to make them realise that previous failure doesn’t determine future success.”
She continued: “We have seen some remarkable results today across our both our colleges and our online provision, which continues to go from strength to strength.
“For many of our learners, today’s results will open a door to further education and training opportunities or allow them to take up work opportunities they wouldn’t have been able to previously.
“For those students who are due to join us next year, I hope everyone has done as well as they had hoped. Please remember that if you have not, we are always here to help you work out what you can do next and talk through your career options with you. Our colleges are part of our local communities and we here to support anyone who needs help.”
Among those celebrating were 17-year-old Freya Hughes, from Thatcham, a part-time GCSE pathway student and a top performer in English at Reading College and University Centre. Her results included a grade 9 in English and grade 4 in Mathematics.
“I chose to come to Reading College and University Centre because of how friendly it felt to me. I’m glad I came here because it has a very welcoming atmosphere, and I was very relaxed here,” she said.
Freya will now study English Language, English Literature and Business A-Levels at the college, with the goal of eventually going to university to study publishing.
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Nineteen-year-old Diogo Santos, from Reading, is a full-time GCSE Science pathway student at Reading College and University Centre. They also achieved a set of impressive GCSE results, including a grade 9-8 in Combined Sciences, a grade 8 in Mathematics, a grade 7 in Statistics and a grade 4 in English.
“I always tried to bring questions to every lesson that I could, and the teachers were always very thorough in answering them. They really helped me get to where I am,” they explained.
Diogo will also stay on at Reading College and University Centre to study A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with the goal of going on to study Medicine at university.
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Seventeen-year-old Taarika Minhas is also a full-time GCSE Science Pathway student at Reading College and University Centre. She is celebrating an outstanding set of results, including grades 7-6 in Combined Science, grade 7 in English and grade 5 in both Mathematics and Statistics.
When asked why she chose to study her GCSEs at Reading College, Taarika said: “I wanted to go on to do A Levels, but I didn’t get the grades I wanted the first time. One of my tutors recommended Reading College and, after coming to an Open Event, I decided to come re-do my GCSEs here, which ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
Taarika is now planning to go on to study Chemistry, Biology and Psychology A Levels.
