Exeter College students are celebrating their GCSE results today as sixth form and adult learners alike collect their results, alongside thousands of young people across the country.  

Bucking the national picture for those retaking English and Maths GCSEs, sixth form learners have made amazing progress from the GCSE grade they attained in school while studying alongside their full time course.  

One of those students is Trinity Bridger who retook her GCSE Maths and English. Trinity previously achieved a 3 in English and has made amazing progress, getting a 6 today, alongside also improving her grade in GCSE Maths to a 4. She said; 

“I’m a bit shocked, I wasn’t expecting to go up as many grades. I have felt 100% supported by my tutor and Maths and English tutors, especially my personal tutor who supported me to go to my lessons and believed I could get the grades. Doing the GCSEs alongside my full-time course has meant I could still study what I wanted but I am over the moon I have got them now!” 

At Exeter College, all 16-18 learners re-sitting their GCSE in English or Maths are entered for the exam to give them an opportunity to make progress. In GCSE Maths, one in three students who took the exam achieved a grade 4 (previously a C) or better – almost double the national average for 4+ success rates in this exam series. In GCSE English, a quarter of learners achieved a 4 or above, even though national averages reduced. 

Sam Hillman, Assistant Principal at Exeter College praised the progress students have made, saying; 

“We are exceptionally proud of our GCSE Maths and English learners. This vital policy provides learners not only with a second chance, but their best chance of developing their literacy and numeracy skills and achieving qualifications that are truly life changing. A huge well done to all our learners and the progress you have made.” 

Tyler Smith is a student who has shown great resilience and determination and was delighted to achieve a 4 in his GCSE Maths and a 5 in GCSE English today (improving from the grade 2 and 3 achieved at school). Tyler says it was a lot of hard work but feels “so good” about his result today, adding; 

“My personal tutor was really good. He was always making sure I was keeping on top of the work and telling me what I needed to do and what needed to be done so I felt supported.” 

Matt Hine, Head of Foundation Maths and English at Exeter College, said; 

“These high-stakes assessments in literacy and numeracy mean so much to our learners, both in terms of their progression and their own sense of accomplishment and achievement. The successes today are fantastic news for our learners and a real credit to the hard work of our subject expert Foundation Maths and English team.” 

Exeter College also supports adults wishing to gain their English and Maths GCSEs, as these are often vital qualifications for progression into careers and university courses. This year 71% of adults sitting GCSE Maths achieved high grades (4 and above) and 61% of English GCSE adult students achieved a high grade. 

Director of Adult and Higher Education, Lucinda Sanders, said; 

“We are so proud of our Adult GCSE students, this year’s fantastic results are down to their hard work, commitment to their studies, as well as the outstanding teaching support from their teachers. We wish them all the luck for the future and look forward to seeing many continue their education journey with us at Exeter College.” 

Jiao Jiao Wan (pictured above) took GCSE Maths, alongside studying an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course. She achieved an impressive grade 5, earning the top grade across the adults taking the Maths foundation paper.  

Sam Davies achieved a brilliant grade 6 in GCSE English. He said; 

“I’m feeling very happy with the result and to get it done. I never really thought I was going to get it and after failing them in 2018, I just thought it wasn’t for me. College helped me to get the support I needed with my Dyslexia. This helped me to process things a bit better and have more time to check my work and get everything from my head onto the paper. 

“My teacher was fantastic, she’s the best teacher I have ever had, especially for English. She really listened to me, and she recognised that not everyone learns the same way.” 

Hasina Rahmani (pictured above) collected her results for GCSE Maths today, achieving a grade 4. She will shortly be starting an ESOL Level 2 course. She is delighted to pass Maths and said; 

“As a person whose first language isn’t English, it was quite hard for me. We had an extra course to help prepare us for the exam skills, which was so helpful. I am grateful to my tutor and all the College staff because they tried their best for us. I’m really happy with my results, this is my first attempt taking the GCSE and I passed!” 

Tammy Tudor (pictured above left) was collecting results for GCSE Maths and English today. Speaking about her results she said; 

“I got a 4 in Maths and a 7 in English. I’m feeling really good.

“I never had the opportunity to do my GCSEs when I was younger, I just wanted it under my belt and to show my kids that I could do it. It opens more doors. When a job application says you need GCSEs, I’ve got that now, so I don’t need to worry.” 

Fellow classmate in English, Kirsty Baird (pictured above right), added;  

“It was nice coming back to College because there’s people from all walks of life and different careers, it was fun and a good variety. We had such a good teacher; she really pushed and encouraged us and was very supportive.” 

You can find out more about GCSE courses at Exeter College at the next Open Event.