More than 500 Sunderland College students have secured a place at university after receiving their A-Level and vocational exam results.
Bede Campus was the centre of activity with celebratory balloons and confetti as students collected their grades on Results Day (Thursday 18 August).
After facing an anxious wait since sitting their exams earlier this summer – the first cohort to do so since the start of the pandemic – 95% opened their envelopes and emails to find out they had been accepted onto their chosen degree course.
Lucy Bewick, who received D*D*D* in Health and Social Care, said: “I was elated when I saw my results and I’m now going to the University of Northampton to study Paramedic Science.
“I received amazing support from my teachers and staff and would recommend studying at Sunderland College because of the amazing opportunities.”
Many students will also be going on to study at the world-renowned Russell Group universities, including A-Level Maths, Further Maths and Physics student Joseph Hansom who will be attending Newcastle University in September.
He said: “I’m so relieved that I met my target grades to study a degree in Mathematics and Statistics at Newcastle.
“Sunderland College has been so supportive in me achieving this, the lecturers go above and beyond to help you by providing additional resources and giving you the independence to take control of your own learning.”
Sunderland College Sixth Form’s overall pass rate for A-Levels was higher than pre-pandemic, with 10 subjects including Business, English Literature, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology receiving 100%. The number of students receiving A*-C grades also increased by 7% on the figure for 2019.
Those studying vocational courses also impressed with a high proportion of subjects receiving a 100% pass rate including Engineering, Computing, Sports Coaching and Applied Science.
Since Results Day, the Matrix Standard Accredited Careers team has hosted drop-in support and one-to-one appointments to those who didn’t receive their predicted grades, offering advice and guidance on clearing and course options.
Principal, Toni Rhodes, said: “We are so proud of all our students; it was an extremely anxious wait for many, and we know our students have faced challenges this year, it is great to see such a high amount of our students securing their places at University or Higher Apprenticeships and have amazing progression opportunities as they take their next steps.”
Sunderland College is still accepting applications now from 2022 school leavers for its wide range of A-Level subjects, vocational and technical courses including T Levels, with applications for 2023 opening soon.
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98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
