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City of Bristol College celebrates student success on A Level results day!

City of Bristol College A Level and vocational students have set their sights on university and taking the next step in their career after picking up their results today (Tuesday).

Today saw the second consecutive set of results calculated through teacher assessed grades (TAGs) instead of national exams which were cancelled due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Staff at the College were tasked with calculating students’ final results by looking at mock exam results and coursework.

Briony Caddick – who will be celebrating her 19th birthday later this week – received her A Level results today, securing four A grades in Extended Project, Business Studies, Media Studies and Sociology. Briony joined the College after spending a year at a sixth form which she said ‘didn’t suit her’ as she felt the College allowed her to ‘be more independent and like an adult’.

Completing her studies during the pandemic has had a different impact on Briony. She said: “Learning in the pandemic has actually helped me because I couldn’t do anything so I had to focus fully on my studies and I think that has helped me in the long run.

“I thought the College had emailed the wrong person when I opened my results at 8.40am this morning but once I checked my name was on the email, it was crazy. It was surreal and I really didn’t expect it! Everyone at the College is really supportive and the teachers are brilliant and they will work with you to help you succeed.”

Briony, who previously attended Wellsway School, is now off to UWE Bristol and aspires to become a social worker, like her mum.

It was not just A Level students receiving their results this morning, but vocational students are also celebrating their achievements. The College boasts a large number of courses in subjects such as health and social care, catering, business, hair and beauty, creative art and media and construction, to name a few.

Creative Arts and Media student Frederick Gardiner, aged 21, also received his result today, a merit. The aspiring voice over actor has been with the College since 2016 on an Art and Design Level 1 course.

Fred, who attended Chew Valley School, said: “I was so happy to receive my results, my goal was to receive a merit and I have achieved that! I originally wanted to study Art and Design but my grades weren’t quite enough to get me there so it was recommended I complete the Level 1 first.

Now I look back, I would say to other students in a similar position that, even if you feel your dream might not be reachable in that moment, take your time and go through the courses to get into your ideal job, you may find what your real dream is.”

Principal and Chief Executive, Andy Forbes, said: “We are incredibly proud of what our students have achieved in such challenging conditions for a second consecutive year! The pandemic has not stopped our learners from achieving their goals and I cannot thank our staff enough for guiding them through the past two academic years. We would like to wish all of our students the best of luck as they continue with their studies or join the busy and bustling world of work.”

A Levels and other Level 3 technical qualifications offer an excellent springboard to higher level learning. City of Bristol College also offer a brilliant alternative to university, with its own University Centre with higher level professional qualifications and degree-level apprenticeships.

Students at the College’s University Centre benefit from smaller class sizes, expert tutors with industry experience and lower tuition fees.

To find out more about our HE courses, visit the University Centre section of the College website.

Enrolments for A Levels, technical qualifications and higher education courses has now started! To find out more about the enrolment process and how to start your journey, visit our enrolment information page.

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