York College celebrates increases in high grades for T Levels and vocational courses

The college has today celebrated year-on-year increases in the percentage of high grades (Distinction*-Distinction) across their T Level and vocational course provision.

More than one in three A Level grades were also A*-B.

Students collected their results in the College’s Sports Hall, where they were joined and supported by family, their tutors and other members of staff.

Among the students celebrating this morning was former Selby High School pupil Joseph Bulleyment, who is heading for the University of Bristol to study Mechanical Engineering after sweeping the board with A* grades in his Maths, Further Maths and Physics A Levels.

Joseph said: “I’m very happy with my results and my tutors were really helpful. I’ve always wanted to do engineering and I trusted them because they know what they’re doing.” 

Another former Selby High School pupil Evie Wynn gained A grades in her Psychology and Law A Levels, as well as her Extended Project Qualification, to secure a place studying Law at the University of Leeds.

On her achievement, Evie enthused: “I’m so happy to have got my first-choice place. York College has really helped me with their pastoral support and I’ve enjoyed being in an environment where I can thrive.”

Isaac Bristow, meanwhile, is progressing on to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester to study Composition after receiving an A* in Music and A grades in History and English Language.

A former Goole Academy student, Isaac said: “I’m very lost for words, but I’m really grateful that all the support I have received and the effort I put in has paid off. My time at York College has been very positive.

“I’ve made amazing, life-long friends and the tutors went above and beyond to help me progress. The Modern History trip to Krakow was a real highlight, too!”

Rose Staniforth, who came to York College from the Outwood Academy in Ripon, celebrated with her daughter Bo when she picked up her results after gaining three Distinction* grades on her Sports Coaching & Development course.

She will now take a gap year to go travelling before resuming her studies in Primary Education at Leeds Beckett University.

“I feel proud and overjoyed,” Rose said. “I love being around and working with children and I chose York College because of the facilities here. The tutors’ support has really helped me, too.”

Lucifer Vivian also swept the board with Distinction* grades on his Level 3 Esports - Business & Digital Innovation course and the University Campus of Esports in London will be his next destination, where he will study International Esports Business & Digital Marketing.

“I’m a little bit shocked,” Lucifer admitted. “They were my predicted grades but actually seeing them is a bit of a different beast, because I’ve gone from just scraping a Merit at Level 2 to this!

“York College has some of the best staff to help you get where you want to be and I would like to come back here and teach one day!” 

George Lacey’s proud mum Katey, whose son previously went to King James’s School in Knaresborough, added: “George made the best decision to come here. It has been the making of him. 

“We can’t praise College enough – as soon as he got here, he just shone. It has been great preparation for university, so a huge advantage.”

George gained a Distinction in Music Performance & Production and is progressing on to the British Institute of Modern Music in Manchester.

It was a day of double celebrations for Dominic Proctor, meanwhile, who marked his 18^th birthday with a T Level Distinction grade in Leadership & Management.

Dominic – a former Vale of York Academy student - said: “It felt weird getting my results today, but it’s definitely made my 18th more exciting!”

Commenting on a morning of celebrations and high emotions, Principal & Chief Executive Ken Merry said: “Results Day is always a significant moment for our students and I am incredibly proud of everything they have achieved. Across A Levels, T Levels and vocational Level 3 qualifications, these results represent an enormous amount of hard work, commitment and determination.

“There is much to celebrate this year. More than one in three of our A Level grades were awarded at A* to B, while the proportion of our T Level and vocational students achieving Distinction* and Distinction grades has increased again this year.

“One of the real strengths of York College is the breadth of opportunities we offer. We are delighted to provide so many different routes through the college and into great next steps, and we celebrate equally the achievements of students who have followed vocational and technical routes and those who have pursued more academic pathways. There is no single route to success and today is about recognising the achievements and ambitions of all our students.

“Behind every one of those results is an individual student who has worked hard to reach this point, supported by an exceptional team of teaching and support staff. I want to thank our colleagues for the expertise, encouragement and commitment they have shown throughout the year.

“Most importantly, today is about looking forward. It is fantastic to see our students progressing to university, securing apprenticeships, moving into employment or continuing their education. Whatever their next step, they should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved, and we wish them every success for the future.”

A Results Day clinic, meanwhile, was run by Priory Pharmacy and hosted at the college, providing Year 13 leavers the opportunity to have their first dose of the NHS Meningitis B vaccination for free, as their second will be, too. 

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