A Level results - student success

South Tyneside College A Level students are celebrating after collecting A Level results for the first time in the College’s newly refurbished £3million buildings.

Mark Munro, 24, from Chester le Street is celebrating after achieving an A* in Physics and grade As in Biology, Maths and Further Maths A Levels.

It’s second time around in further education for Mark, who was expelled from another college at the age of 17 and then took on a job as a care worker.  However, Mark quickly realised that this as a long term career wasn’t for him.

Mark said: “I knew very quickly this wasn’t a career I wanted to be in for long.  I was very keen to progress and decided the best way to do this would be to return to education.

“I applied to a range of colleges but was consistently told by them all I was too old to study A Levels.  South Tyneside College thankfully didn’t and accepted me.

“My time here has been fantastic and I can’t thank everyone enough for the help and support I have received.  The best thing about this College is the lecturers and the facilities.  With my results I can now go to study Maths at Edinburgh University.”

Another learner celebrating is Rachel Dixon, 17, from Whitburn.  Rachel is now looking forward to studying Maths at Warwick University after achieving A*s in Further Maths and Accelerated Maths and an A in Physics A Levels.

Rachel said: “It’s such a relief, although I was predicted good grades I certainly didn’t expect them.  I’ve already phoned my parents and they’re delighted - it’s a brilliant feeling.

“The lecturers have been brilliant and I’ve made some good friends.”

Another learner also planning to go to university is Harry Boddy, 18, from South Shields, after achieving three As and a B in Biology, Law, English Literature and Chemistry A Levels.

Harry said: “I’m really happy with my results.  If I’m honest I didn’t expect to do so well – I’m just so pleased.

“I am now looking forward to going to Newcastle University to study Biomedical Sciences.”

Lindsey Whiterod, Principal and Chief Executive at South Tyneside College, said: “We are delighted with this year’s A Level results. Our students have done extremely well, achieving a 98% pass rate, an increase of 3% on last year’s results.

“Our students have achieved 172 coveted high grades (A*, A and B) and many of our subjects are now showing a 100% pass rate for the last four years.

“It is a great reward for the students who have worked so hard to achieve these results and a reflection of the high standards staff set at the College.  Thank you to all tutors who have helped our students achieve their full potential - and my warmest congratulations to those students who are celebrating success today.

“In our 150th year these outstanding results are part of a momentous year in the history of the College.  For the first time today we have welcomed students to collect their results in our newly refurbished £3million buildings at our South Shields campus and we will be working to keep on improving these results in the year ahead.”