More than 95% Reading College students who sat a maths or English GCSE exam achieved a pass – just one of a number of great stories from the Kings Road learning centre.
Run by Activate Learning, many of its students are learners who resit maths, English or both, to continue in education or progress their career.
This includes mature students who need these GCSEs to progress in the workplaces, learners who may have missed the chance to go to university and want to study at degree level alongside part-time students who have studied GCSEs at evening classes.
Around a quarter of students who have taken an exam for English or maths GCSE at Reading College improved their previous grades.
Cheri Ashby, deputy chief executive of Activate Learning, said: “GCSE results day is such a special time for us at Activate Learning as often we see our students overcoming the barriers they have encountered in their studies previously, to improve their grades and succeed where perhaps they thought they would not.
“Once again, this year I am delighted to see so many students improving on what they have previously achieved, and to do so in the first public exams for two years – and for many of them their first since they were in Year 6 – is a real achievement.”
She said she wanted to celebrate those who had returned to education to advance their careers.
“I’ve heard some amazing stories about some of our mature students and I really want to shine a spotlight on their achievements, especially given the demands many of them faced in terms of juggling family commitments, busy home schedules and coming into college.
“In particular, our mature students studying English and mathematics GCSEs fully online have experienced tremendous success today. This is a tribute to the way our teachers have embedded our Learning Philosophy by supporting our students to develop and build their confidence, keeping them motivated through helping them understand the relevance of their learning to their career pathway and having lots of opportunities to practise their skills and improve through ongoing feedback.”
She added: “I would like to also express my thanks and appreciation to all our staff who have worked tirelessly over the past year to ensure our students achieve their qualifications.
“For those students that are due to join us next year, I hope everyone has done as well as they had hoped. Please remember that if you have not, we are always here to help you work out what you can do next and talk through your career options with you.”
Among those celebrating was Kejsida Hoxhaj a full-time GCSE Science pathway student at Reading College, who is celebrating an outstanding set of results including Grades 7-7 in Combined Science, Grade 7 in Mathematics, Grade 7 in Statistics, and a Grade 4 in English.
Kejsida said: “I moved here two years ago from Greece for my education, and I had a really good experience. The teachers were so nice and helpful throughout the whole course.
“Keep doing what you’re doing. I’m hoping to study dentistry in the future so I’m staying to do my A-levels here.”
Anderson Reynolds, a full-time GCSE science pathway student achieved Grades 7-6 in Combined Science, Grade 6 in English, Grade 5 in Maths and a Grade 5 in Statistics, and now plans to study A-levels in September.
Anderson said: “I loved my experience at college. I’m so pleased I got the grades I needed. I had a Grade 3 before in English and now I’ve got a Grade 6.
“I am dyslexic, and the teachers really help you understand and look after you more than anything. I’ve worked really hard this year and I’m looking forward to the future.”
Ewa Borowska, a part-time standalone GCSE English student at Reading College achieved a Grade 8.
“I had a really great experience at college, with amazing teachers. I needed my GCSE in English as it’s my second language to pursue the career I wanted,” she said.
“I’m going to study to be veterinary nurse. It’s a big step to take in your 30s but I’m confident I’ll get there.”
Kyezel-Lee Pembroke got a Grade 4 which she needed to be able to progress onto a future career.
“I’m so pleased to have finally passed my Maths GCSE. I knuckled down and got the support I needed,” she said.
“The teachers are really understanding, and I enjoyed how independent college is. It’s an easier learning environment than school. I’m hoping to go on to be a Youth Worker.”
