Chesterfield College students tell of delight at A-level results

With a 100 per cent A-level pass rate and 76 per cent of students receiving A*-C grades, along with a record number of the highest grades of A*-B, many students have secured their first choice university places.

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A-level students returned to the college’s sixth form hub, in the former grammar school on Sheffield Road, on Thursday for the first time since the centre closed its doors at the beginning of lockdown to collect grades.

Students on vocational courses were also invited back to the college to collect results.

It was the perfect opportunity to see familiar faces after several month of virtual learning, albeit with social distancing and safety measures in place.

Megan Ward was delighted when she opened her results to discover she had an A in psychology, an A in English and a C in criminology.

She said: “I’m now going to study psychology at the University of Brighton and eventually I want to pursue a career in the subject because I really enjoy it.

“I’m looking forward to going out for a meal with my family to celebrate.”

History and philosophy student Olivia Laiken said: “Getting an A and a B means I can go my first choice university and get where I want to be.

“I’ve got a place at Durham University to study history which is exactly where I want to be.

“It has been a nerve-racking wait.

“When you do an exam you can tell how it goes on the day but without that we didn’t really know how it was going to go.

“After my mocks I put so much extra work in and got lots of support from my tutor so I am glad that has paid off.”

Students also collected vocational results across a range of subjects from media and digital technologies to construction and vehicle technology.

Jo Kershaw, director of business professional and service industries at Chesterfield College, said: “Congratulations to all our students who have worked incredibly hard this year, before and after lockdown.

“They should be very proud of their results.

“The hard work and commitment they have put into their studies throughout the year will help many of them move on to university-level study or into their chosen careers.

“I also want to thank our tutors for supporting students to achieve in challenging circumstances.

“We know it has been a very different end to the academic year than any of us had planned but it is important we celebrate what our students have achieved over the entirety of their course and focus on the opportunities that this brings for them.

“It was good to have students back in college to celebrate with them.

“Our priority now is to ensure we support students with their next steps and get the new academic year off to a great start with quality teaching in a safe space.

“We are looking forward to welcoming new and returning students in September.”

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