City of Bristol College was celebrating its GCSE students last week as they opened their results. It is now encouraging students to get in touch following GCSE results day, no matter what grade they received, to support them throughout their next steps. .
Following the Government’s U-turn to take teachers’ centre assessment grades as the final results for both A Level and GCSE students, City of Bristol College its fourth consecutive year of improved results in GCSE English and maths.
The college recorded an overall pass rate of 99.6% in 16-18 maths and English. The results are a true reflection of students’ hard work and support they received from dedicated teachers during a very unusual year.
Principal and Chief Executive Andy Forbes welcomed the news of the Government U-turn, saying he was ‘relieved’ that the change had been made to the benefit of thousands of students.
He added: “We’re very relieved and delighted the government changed its mind and accepted teacher grades for GCSE results. Our GCSE results have been very good and young people are able to take the next step in their educational journey with confidence. We are now busy enrolling hundreds of Bristol school leavers at all our campuses and we’re looking forward to welcoming students back into education after lockdown.”
For 38-year-old Doaa Ibrahim, originally from Egypt, she hoped getting her GCSE in maths and her Level 2 English would help her to support her children with their learning. She opened her email to find out she had earned one of the top results – grade 9! She said: “I decided to join City of Bristol College to improve my skills in maths as well as get on track with my kids. I have so enjoyed the time I spent at City of Bristol College with my peers and teachers and I have to mention, in particular, my maths teacher Bill Grundy – he is amazing, organised and he made me love math so much.
“When I opened my email this morning I couldn’t believe it, I thought there must have been a mistake or I was reading it wrong. I am over the moon with my results – honestly, I haven’t stopped smiling.”
Doaa plans to apply for a Master degree in statistics and data science to continue her love of maths – after already gaining the other necessary qualification to study the Masters degree.
29-year-old Brazilian student, Wellington Miguel, moved to England in 2016 and joined the college to earn his GCSE maths and English Functional Skills this year so he could start an apprenticeship in Engineering. He was happy with his grades on results day and will be able to start looking for a placement for September.
He said: “I wanted to start an apprenticeship in Engineering but realised I needed to get my GCSE maths, despite already holding similar qualifications back in Brazil. But, I live to learn and it was really helpful to study this course. Everything was very good and it has allowed me to learn more English terminology. Now I have my GCSE, I will be able to start applying for apprenticeship opportunities.
The college, made up of five different centres, is encouraging its prospective students to not worry if their GCSE grades were not what they had hoped and is calling on them to engage with the college – there is a place for you.
To keep our students and staff safe, the college is reducing the number of people in their buildings at one time. To achieve this, most of their courses will include sessions taught at the college supported by online learning to help students reach their full potential. Find out more about how we’ve adapted due to COVID-19.
It is not too late to join City of Bristol College this September. The college is enrolling on all of its courses, so whether you are a school leaver or an adult learner, you can start your journey now. Visit your nearest centre to enrol.
Click here to view the full range of courses, including A Levels, Access, Apprenticeship and Higher Education.
