Students at Activate Learning’s Reading College and University Centre are celebrating today after collecting their successful GCSE exam results.
Over 96% of students taking maths and English GCSEs at Reading College and University Centre achieved a pass in this year’s exams.
The college also offers two full-time GCSE pathways. Citizenship Studies, English Literature, Geography and Statistics all secured a 100% pass rate.
Many of the college’s GCSE 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 workplace, 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.
Cheri Ashby, Deputy Chief Executive of Activate Learning, said: “I would like to wish a massive congratulations to the thousands of students who are collecting their successful GCSE results from across our Activate Learning colleges and online provision today.
“For many of our students receiving their GCSE results today, this isn’t their first attempt at them. Which is why, for me, it makes it all the more satisfying, as we get to see people succeeding where they previously haven’t and overcoming the challenge of previous failure, where they’ve pushed themselves to achieve. This is testament to our Learning Philosophy and the work we do with students to make them realise that previous failure doesn’t determine future success.
“We have seen some remarkable results today across our both our colleges and our online provision, which continues to go from strength to strength.
“For many of our learners, today’s results will open a door to further education and training opportunities or allow them to take up work opportunities they wouldn’t have been able to previously.
“For those students who 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. Our colleges are part of our local communities and we here to support anyone who needs help.”
A top performer in English
Seventeen-year-old Freya Hughes, from Thatcham, is a part-time GCSE pathway student and a top performer in English at Reading College and University Centre. She is celebrating an outstanding set of results, including grade 9 in English and grade 4 in Mathematics.
Freya said: “I chose to come to Reading College and University Centre because of how friendly it felt to me. I’m glad I came here because it has a very welcoming atmosphere, and I was very relaxed here.”
Freya will now be staying on at Reading College and University Centre to study English Language, English Literature and Business A-Levels, with the goal of eventually going to university to study Publishing.
An impressive set of results
Nineteen-year-old Diogo Santos, from Reading, is a full-time GCSE Science pathway student at Reading College and University Centre. Diogo also achieved a set of impressive GCSE results, including a grade 9-8 in Combined Sciences, a grade 8 in Mathematics, a grade 7 in Statistics and a grade 4 in English.
Diogo said: “I always tried to bring questions to every lesson that I could, and the teachers were always very thorough in answering them. They really helped me get to where I am.”
Diogo will also stay on at Reading College and University Centre to study A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, with the goal of going on to study Medicine at university.
One of the best decisions I’ve made
Seventeen-year-old Taarika Minhas is also a full-time GCSE Science Pathway student at Reading College and University Centre. She is celebrating an outstanding set of results, including grades 7-6 in Combined Science, grade 7 in English and grade 5 in both Mathematics and Statistics.
When asked why she chose to study her GCSEs at Reading College, Taarika said: “I wanted to go on to do A Levels, but I didn’t get the grades I wanted the first time.
“One of my tutors recommended Reading College and, after coming to an Open Event, I decided to come re-do my GCSEs here, which ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
Taarika is now planning to go on to study Chemistry, Biology and Psychology A Levels.
A variety of academic and vocational programmes
Reading College and University Centre offers part-time GCSEs in English and maths. The college also offers two full-time GCSE pathways, the humanities pathway consists of Citizenship, English Language, English Literature, Maths and Geography. The science pathway consists of combined science, English, maths and statistics.
The college teaches a wide range of A Levels. These include Art and Design, Biology, Business Studies, Computer Science, Chemistry, Classic Civilisation, English Language and Literature, Geography, History, Law, Mathematics, Media studies, Physics, Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion, Photography, Politics, Psychology and Sociology.
The King’s Road campus offers a variety of vocational programmes in Art and Design, Accountancy, Beauty Therapy, Business and Enterprise, Construction, Early Years, Engineering, Esports, Foundation and Supported Studies, Hairdressing, Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Professional Cookery, IT and Computing, Media, Media Makeup, Motor Vehicle, Music, Performing and Production Arts, Public Services, Sport, Teaching and Education and Tourism.
Additionally, Reading College and University Centre’s extensive network of business partners means they provide outstanding apprenticeship opportunities via Activate Apprenticeships.
What to do if you didn’t get the grades you expected
This year, Reading College and University Centre is providing information, advice and guidance via Clearing sessions at the college from GCSE Results Day, and throughout the end of August and September. Tutors and career advisers will be on hand to help anyone who is unsure as to what to do next after GCSEs, and can also provide advice on funding and other student support services.
Clearing sessions can be booked on the Activate Learning website.
