Education South West schools celebrate A Level and BTEC results
Students from South Devon UTC, Coombeshead Academy,KEVICC, Kingsbridge Community College and Teign School, all part of Education South West, have been picking up their A Level and BTEC exam results this morning (15th August.)
The curriculum for 16 to 18 year olds at South Devon UTC offers the opportunity to mix and balance both the technical and the creative pathways of digital technology. Ofsted rated the Sixth Form provision at the UTC Good.
This flexibility in curriculum choice enables successful progression onto top quality university courses, advanced or higher apprenticeships, or directly into employment. This year students from the UTC are going on to a variety of destinations including universities and off to start apprenticeships.
UTC student Hollie Carnell received a BTEC Distinction in Health and Social Care and is going on to the University of Plymouth to study Nursing. Lauren Tapp also got a BTEC Distinction in Health and Social Care, she will be studying Nursing at the University of Exeter.
Freya White received a BTEC Distinction in Health and Social Care, she will be attending the University of Brighton to study Paediatric Nursing. Cody Takel got a BTEC Distinction in Engineering and will begin an Engineering apprenticeship shortly.
At Coombeshead Academy, students are moving on to a wide range of destinations from Universities including the Universities of Exeter, Gloucestershire, East London, Birmingham and Plymouth, starting on apprenticeships, heading directly to full time employment and entering the military.
Coombeshead student Harry Northwood received an A in Photography and a B in Graphics. Victoria Sibley got a Distinction* in Music and Sophie Cane received an A* in Graphics, an A in Textiles and a Distinction in Food. Toni Courtier got a B in Maths, a B in Further Maths and a Distinction in Sport. Jessica Kealy received an A* in Biology and an A in Maths.
Teign Sixth Form College combines smaller, vibrant teaching classes with supportive pastoral care, all within a wider school community. They offer a range of courses, delivered by experienced subject specialists with a proven track record of providing a high-quality education, alongside a wide and varied Enrichment programme supporting pupils to develop skills, independence and resilience.
Teign Sixth Form College has recently benefited from new facilities, including a Sixth Form only entrance, garden, study space, common room and café. In addition, every student is given a laptop to keep to ensure they have the equipment needed to study.
Teign student Maddy Gale achieved a place at Loughborough University to study Chemistry, achieving A* in Physics and Maths and an A in Chemistry. As one of the House Captains Eliya Gale exhibited the Role Model ethos of Sixth Form. She is going on to study Education at the University of Gloucestershire after achieving a B in Psychology and Sociology and an A* in Art.
Amy's Hughes results allow her to pursue her passion for Entomology at Harper Adams University after achieving a B in Biology and Geography and an A* in Graphics. Alicia Linscott balanced her studies alongside competing internationally in BMX racing. Alicia has successfully secured an apprenticeship as an insurance broker having achieved a C in Graphics and a double distinction in Sport.
Rose embraced all the opportunities at Sixth Form, including being a House Captain for Centaurus. Achieving B grades in Biology and Maths and a Distinction in Computer Science Rose goes on to study Biology at the University of Gloucestershire.
Staff and students gathered in Totnes this morning as the Sixth Form leavers came to open their results. It was another year of brilliant outcomes with Harry Matthews looking forward to life at Warwick University studying physics having gained A* grades in Maths, Chemistry, Further Maths and Physics. Willow Biggins is also delighted to be heading to the University Of Warwick to study history following straight A grades in English Literature, History, Maths and the EPQ.
Meanwhile, colleagues were thrilled with the effort of Olha Mykhailova to pass her Extended Diploma in Art and Design (equivalent to three A-levels) having only arrived with the College halfway through Year 12, having had to flee the war in Ukraine.
Kennicott Sixth Form Centre is a very special place to learn. The wonderful setting of Kennicott House is the hub of a thriving Sixth Form. They pride themselves on offering students the advice; support and guidance that they need to make the most of their talents and abilities and to fulfil their aspirations. At Kennicott students join a distinctly adult, yet caring community. They are highly ambitious for students and each students’ progress is supported by a personal tutor. Relationships between staff and students are excellent, characterised by respect, responsibility and mutual excitement in learning.
The history of high academic performance has been continued at Kingsbridge Community College and the vast majority of students have been successful in being placed in their first choice of University course and other pathways.
The Sixth Form and wider college community are celebrating the achievements of every individual, though a few stand out having demonstrated exceptional progress and attainment: Louis Bastin, achieved a phenomenal 4 A*s in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Geography, he is off to the University of Sheffield to study Aerospace Engineering. Anna Petrenko, who joined KCC from Ukraine in 2022, achieved 3 A *s in Maths, Further Maths and Physics and an A grade in Computer Science, she will be studying Physics at the University of Bristol.
Milo Clover achieved an A* in Biology as well as a further 3 A grades in Chemistry, Computer Science, and the EPQ, he is off to study Chemical Engineering in Helsinki. Hattie Parker-Swift who gained 2 As in English Literature and Art and an A in Biology will be travelling for a year and is then thinking of also heading off to the University of Bristol.
In addition to the academic qualifications, students studying vocational courses have made record progress and achievement this year, in particular Sam Roberts and Richard Roberts who achieved a triple Distinction* in the Extended Media Diploma.
Students who completed mixed vocational and academic programmes also excelled, such as Ella Bent (Double Distinction in Media Diploma and A in A Level Business) and Sophie Mitchell (Double Distinction* in Media Diploma and B in A Level Photography). Ella is off to the University of Plymouth to study Marketing.
KCC has an outstanding, popular and welcoming Sixth Form, with students joining them from a wide geographical area across South Devon. Their impressive range of subjects and outstanding outcomes attract high numbers in traditional A levels, as well as specialist areas like Business Studies, Photography and Philosophy. They also offer a range of Vocational and Work Based Learning Qualifications.
The Sixth Form provision at KCC was rated Good by Ofsted last year. Inspectors noted that the sixth-form curriculum is precise and clear, teaching is suitably challenging and that students build on what they have learned before and from the teaching they receive, as a result, they learn very well.
Alan Salt, Principal at KEVICC said: “We are so proud of all the students and what they have achieved. We have worked really hard to ensure our sixth formers access a broad range of learning, and we are delighted to see strong results not only in traditional academic subjects, but also across creative areas such as Film Studies, Performing Arts, Art and Design and Design Technology. Our ability to tailor timetables to individual student choices has meant we continue to buck the national trend, with Kennicott students commonly mixing creative subjects with social sciences and STEM subjects.”
Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College said: “We are exceptionally proud of how Year 13 have approached their examinations and the results they have achieved reflect their effort and tenacity. There is much to celebrate for this cohort; their fantastic outcomes are a result of work over all 7 years at Kingsbridge Community College.”
Claire Plumb, Headteacher at South Devon UTC said: “I am delighted with the achievements of all the UTC students who have collected their BTEC results today. I know how hard they have worked and am confident they are leaving us as prepared as possible to pursue their chosen career path.
“Employer-based projects are embedded into our curriculum qualifications to develop business and employability skills. Our offer provides a well-rounded education designed to build students’ skills, knowledge, confidence and judgement to equip them for successful progression whatever their interests.”
Helen Coulson, Headteacher at Coombeshead Academy said: “With the effects of studying through difficult times during covid still leaving an impact for our 2024 cohort, their successes and resilience deserve high praise and recognition. We are very proud of this group of students that show with these results that success is possible in Coombeshead sixth form no matter the challenges faced.
“As well as showing a clear dedication to their academic studies reflected in their results, our year 13s this year have shown they are well rounded members of our school community, leading in school councils, charity fundraising, events planning and arts and performing arts showcases throughout the year.”
Lucie Wagner, Head of School at Teign School said: “I am so proud of all the students collecting their A Level result today as Teign Sixth Form College is centred around knowing our students really well and ensuring every student is supported. Our Sixth Form students have acted as outstanding role models and hold many leadership positions in the wider school community.
“The success of this approach is reflected in our results and many students choose to go onto university, including Russell Group institutions, apprenticeships and employment.”
Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said: “A massive congratulations to the Sixth Form students who have collected their A-Level and BTEC results today. It’s been another bumper year of results for our schools and just shows they are all going from strength to strength.”
