Derby College celebrates A-level success

Derby College has celebrated another bumper batch of A-level results, maintaining last year's 98 per cent pass rate.
Derby College student Zoe Keaton, 18, from Long Eaton, has achieved A* grades in biology and psychology and an A in chemistry.Derby College student Zoe Keaton, 18, from Long Eaton, has achieved A* grades in biology and psychology and an A in chemistry.
Derby College student Zoe Keaton, 18, from Long Eaton, has achieved A* grades in biology and psychology and an A in chemistry.

More than 300 students collected their results today (Thursday), with 60 per cent achieving A* to C grades and 20 subjects recording a 100 per cent pass rate including English, politics, modern languages, law, ICT and biology.

Assistant Head of Academic Studies at Derby College, Stacey Adams, said: “We are obviously delighted to have achieved an extremely high pass rate again this year and particularly that 20 key subject areas recorded 100 per cent pass rate.

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“The majority of our students will now be heading off to their first choice university and the team of teaching and support staff have been on hand to support any who needed to clarify the situation and make decisions on their next step.”

Among the students celebrating at Derby College is 18-year-old Zoe Keaton, from Long Eaton, is celebrating after achieving A* grades in biology and psychology and an A in chemistry.

The former Ockbrook School pupil is now planning to take a gap year and apply for university to study medicine.

“I can’t believe these results,” she said. “This gives me so many different options including potentially Oxbridge.”

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Zoe underwent reconstructive surgery on her knee after injuring it playing netball and faces several months of physiotherapy.

“Once I am up and about again, I plan to work as a healthcare assistant to save some money up for several years at university,” she added.

“I came to college to gain more independence and better prepare myself for life at university and have had a great time. This is the icing on the cake.”

Amelia Carter, 18, from Chaddesden, gained three B grades in business, maths and chemistry which has secured her plans to do a higher apprenticeship with Barclays in Nottingham.

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The company will also sponsor her to study for a degree in banking management at Anglia Ruskin University.​

“I was amazed that I did that well because 4,000 applied for just ten places and I have had to go through nine stages to get the apprenticeship,” she said.

“To me, getting a higher apprenticeship no brainer. University costs so much money but this way I get to earn while I learn and I can continue to live at home.”