Thousands of local students get a second chance at vital GCSEs

Thousands of students across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire have been given another opportunity to gain vital English and maths qualifications with the support of The Bedford College Group.

 Across the academic year, 7,390 students across The Group have retaken GCSE English and/or maths, illustrating the scale of the challenge facing further education colleges as they support learners who leave school without achieving the grades they need.
This year alone, there were 3,531 GCSE English entries and 3,859 GCSE maths entries across the Group.

Results show that 683 students achieved a grade 4 or above in English, while 410 achieved a grade 4 or above in maths.
Behind those figures are students who have continued working towards qualifications which can be critical to their next steps in education, apprenticeships and employment.

Anthony Hart, Group Director of English and Maths at The Bedford College Group said:

“GCSE results day is a really important moment for our students, and we are incredibly proud of everyone who has worked hard towards their English and maths qualifications this year.

“What is sometimes overlooked on GCSE results day is the enormous amount of work that takes place in further education. This year alone, we have supported thousands of students to continue developing their English and maths while also studying for their chosen career or qualification.
“For the students who have achieved that all-important grade 4 or above this year, particularly those who may have attempted the qualification more than once, this is a significant achievement and one they should be extremely proud of.”

Johan John Nice, a student at Bedford College who achieved a Grade 3 in English, said:

“I am happy with my result. Bedford is a great place to study, and I have one more year left. Studying English here was much better and easier compared to school.”

Belle Phillips, a student with The Bedford College Group who achieved a Grade 4 in Maths, said:

“This is my fifth time taking this maths exam. My tutor Duncan Laughton has been amazing; he takes note of how you work and deal with things and works with you individually. He has done so much and helped me to get my grade, so I am really pleased. I was studying health and social care, and I am now going to do childcare, before going straight into working in childcare.”

Another student who achieved a Grade 4 in Maths was James Tallan. He said:

 “I was studying sport whilst preparing for this exam. I want to do an apprenticeship in bricklaying at Tresham College, which I can now do with my Grade 4. It’s a really good college and I’ve enjoyed my time here. The tutors have been great, especially in maths, helping me to achieve my grade.”

Dr Robin Webber-Jones, Deputy CEO and Executive Director of Curriculum at The Bedford College Group added:

“One of the great strengths of further education is the opportunity for a fresh start. Not getting the GCSE result you wanted at school does not mean the end of your ambitions.

“We see students across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire show tremendous determination to try again, and our English and maths teams work incredibly hard to support them.

“Whether a student has achieved their grade this summer or needs a little longer to get there, we want them to know that we will continue to support them and help them take their next step.”

The Group is also reminding young people receiving GCSE results that there are a wide range of technical and vocational routes available locally enabling them to specialise in their favourite subjects or take their first steps into their dream career.