York College celebrates GCSE Results Day
York College & University Centre would like to congratulate all those students from the city and surrounding area who have gained the GCSE grades they were hoping for today.
We would also like to remind anybody who is anxious about their exam results and might feel like they have not fulfilled their potential - on this occasion - that we are here to support you and offer guidance on your next steps.
Despite the acknowledgement this year that GCSEs, like A Levels, would be subject to significant grade deflation after higher marks were awarded during the Covid pandemic, that has not been witnessed today on campus at Sim Balk Lane.
In fact, the pass rate of male students at York College was higher than both last year and in the pre-pandemic summer of 2019.
Our 16 to 18-year-old students also achieved a higher ratio of Grades 9-4 than in 2022 and our adult learners (aged 19+) performed better than in 2019.
Commenting on the results, York College & University Centre Principal Lee Probert said: “It has been great to hear so many of our students’ GCSE success stories today and it has been encouraging that the predictions of many doom-mongers, looking at the wider national picture, were not witnessed here at York College. I would also like to reach out to everybody in and around the city of York who has received their exam results today.
“We look forward to welcoming many of you on campus next month, regardless of whether you received the results you were hoping for or feel that you did not quite fulfil your potential on this occasion. GSCE qualifications can lead to a variety of Further Education options at York College, including A Levels, T Levels, vocational qualifications and high-quality apprenticeships.
“However, schools, colleges and private training providers also have lots of alternative options for further study, so please get in touch with us and let us help you choose your next steps.”
Among those celebrating today was Yang Cheng, who achieved a GCSE Grade 7 in English Language.
Having moved to Huntington from Hong Kong a year ago, Yang studied the GCSE alongside his AS Levels, for which he also received A grades in Maths and Physics, as well as a C in Design and Technology last week.
The GCSE qualification will now mean he can pursue his ambition of studying Mechanical Engineering at university after he has completed his A Level education at Sim Balk Lane.
He said: “I’m pleased with my results and I believe that, through hard work, I got a higher grade than expected. I’ve never got a 7 before – the highest I had got was a 6, so I was quite surprised.”
Adult learner Rosie Chapman, meanwhile, could not contain her excitement after gaining the Maths and English GCSE grades she requires to apply for a career in the Police Force.
“I feel amazing, I want to dance,” she declared. “I was very surprised that I’d passed, especially Maths.
“It was very unexpected. I’m 31 now and this is the first time I’ve tried to get these GCSEs again since I was 16.
“I needed to pass so that I can progress in my career. At the moment, I work as a hygiene supervisor but I’d really like to get into the Police Force. With these GCSEs, when they are next recruiting, I can now apply.”
Former Millthorpe School student Sophie Carter-Wheatley (pictured in the main image with Beauty Therapy tutor Laura Heward) with was also all smiles after gaining pass grades in her English Language and Maths GCSEs, alongside the Level 2 Beauty Therapy Distinction she achieved.
Sophie will now progress to our Level 3 Beauty Therapy course as she pursues her dream of one day opening her own business.
She said: “I was retaking Maths and English and the College really helped me improve so much by allowing me to work remotely from home and benefit from one-to-one tuition. I chose York College because I heard lovely things about how good the support was from the tutors and in terms of mental health.”
Giving his views on GCSE Results Day 2023, Graham Baker, Head of Foundation English and Maths, added: “We have seen some really pleasing results and high grades and it’s great to see that the commitment those students have put in has paid off.
“Their efforts have proven that, if you work hard in our classes, you will be rewarded with the outcomes you deserve. We are also providing drop-in sessions today for students who have not got the results they were hoping for to see what courses we can offer them.
“Whatever grades they might have been given, we will have a course for them at College and will continue to work with them on their English and Maths to help them reach the destinations they want to be in the future. That support will also continue throughout our enrolment process.”
