Exeter College is celebrating its best ever A Level results – with an outstanding 99.8% pass rate.

Students from all four corners of Devon and further afield amassed excellent A level results, with more than half – a staggering 54% – achieving the very highest A*, A, and B grades.

As well as highest number of students achieving straight A* and A grades, the college celebrated 100% pass rates in 33 of its 38 A level subjects.

The exceptional results will see students fulfilling their dreams of studying at Oxford and Cambridge, Russell Group and top universities, employment and apprenticeship options.

This year’s results demonstrate Exeter College’s academic excellence and cements its ranking amongst the top Sixth Form colleges in the country.

The results saw particular strengths in a wide range of key academic subjects on offer at the college, with an outstanding number gaining the very best A*, A, and B grades, including 77% of Economics students; 58% of English Literature students; 90% of students studying German; 71% of Fine Art students; 70% of Textiles students; 68% of History students; as well as 65% of students studying Spanish.

STEM subjects excelled in the college’s new, dedicated Maths and Science Centre. Maths saw 67% of students gain the very best A*, A, and B grades, with more than a fifth achieving the coveted A* grade.

The A Level results announced today follow on from the college’s outstanding International Baccalaureate (IB) results this summer.

Students achieving the very highest results reflect the college’s wide geographical reach, with students from Exeter and across Devon who travel to college gaining straight A* and A grades, ranging from Barnstaple to Tiverton, from Sidmouth to Okehampton, from Holsworthy to Torquay, wider afield from Dorset and Somerset, and also internationally.

John Laramy, Exeter College Principal, said: “These staggering A Level results are the best Exeter College has ever achieved, with more than half of our students amassing the very highest A*, A, and B grades.

“As Principal, these results are a testament to the hard work, commitment, and dedication of all our students and staff which has led up to today. I’d like to congratulate each and every one of these students on their success.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in delivering these exceptional results. These results will be a passport to so many students going on to achieve their dreams of university, embarking on their career, and the next stage of their lives.

“At Exeter College we pride ourselves on a culture of excellence in our teaching in a broad range of subjects. This year’s results are truly exceptional, and are a reflection, I believe, of this culture of excellence.”

Emma Fielding, the College’s Assistant Principal responsible for A levels said: “The results across the wide range of A level subjects that we offer are truly stunning and I couldn’t be more proud of our amazing young people and the specialist academic staff that have nurtured and supported them.

“As well as stimulating our students academically, we place tremendous importance in supporting them as individuals, with our well established tutorial system and extensive enrichment programme.

“Our tutors and progression team work with students to provide expert university or careers guidance to help them prepare for life after college. I have such admiration for these fantastic achievements and want to wish all of our young people every success and happiness as they move on from college and take the next step in their lives.”

Best Ever Exeter College A Level Results – Summary

• • 54% achieved the very highest A*, A, and B grades;
• • Outstanding 99.8% pass rate overall;
• • 100% pass rates in 33 of its 38 A level subjects;
• • Exceptional results at the very highest level A*, A and B grades, in a broad range of A level subjects on offer at Exeter College, including:

• – 77% of Economics students;
• – 58% of English Literature students;
• – 90% of students studying German;
• – 71% of Fine Art students;
• – 70% of Textiles students;
• – 68% of History students;
• – 65% of Spanish students.

Exeter College students are celebrating another outstanding year of International Baccalaureate diploma results.

Four students achieved 40+ points putting them in the top five to ten per cent of students in the entire world – equivalent of five A Levels at A/A*.

The international points average for the IB is currently 30.07 for May 2016 (accurate at the time of printing on August 16th). At Exeter College, the average points score was 32.5. A mark of 31 points equals 413 UCAS tariff points – equivalent to more than three A Levels at grade A. And Ellie Norman achieved 42 points, the College’s highest result this year.

By achieving such outstanding results, a high proportion of candidates secured their first choice degree, and have places at top Russell Group universities. One student has gained a place to study Medicine at Barts and The London at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).

John Laramy, Exeter College Principal, said: “As an outstanding college we, fortunately, have many excellent results to celebrate, but this year's International Baccalaureate results are truly world class.

“These results are a real credit to the students, demonstrating the work and effort that they have clearly put in and, the commitment and talent of the staff who both lead on and teach the International Baccalaureate. I am delighted that our IB students' have been able to progress onto their chosen university or career.”

• Study the International Baccalaureate (IB) at Exeter College.

We were one of the first colleges in the country to offer this challenging course and our results over the last two decades have been excellent. You’ll be in small classes with experienced and inspiring teachers and a whole range of materials to access to help you learn.

To find out more about studying for the IB at Exeter College, see our website: www.exe-coll.ac.uk/1618/Subjects/InternationalBaccalaureate

Exeter Community Energy has now started the installation at Exeter College, the city’s largest community solar power project.

Solar panels are being installed on the roof of the Exeter College’s Technology Centre. When completed this 150 kWp installation will be the largest community energy project in Exeter and East Devon.

The panels will provide 140,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power 35 houses and will save the Technology Centre approx £150,000 over 20 years.

The panels will reduce the carbon footprint of the College by 78 tonnes a year – the same amount of carbon dioxide that around 500 trees would absorb. The project will also provide an additional income stream to Exeter College to be reinvested into education in the city.

Gill Wyatt, Exec Chair of Exeter Community Energy said: “Partnering with Exeter College is an important step for ECOE’s growing portfolio of rooftop solar in Exeter. These panels will save the Technology Centre approx £150,000 over 20 years, with 65% of the electricity being used by the Centre, and reduce their carbon emissions by 78 tonnes a year. We will be installing other rooftop installations later this year.”

Exeter Community Energy, a not-for-profit social enterprise has over 200 community members who have invested £390,000 for nine rooftop solar installations. Four have been completed in Exeter and there are a further six in the pipeline. Exeter Community Energy aims to develop community-owned renewable energy projects, raise awareness of local, low carbon solutions and create a community fund to finance local projects to promote energy efficiency and help to alleviate fuel poverty.

Steve Strang, Head of Estates at Exeter College said: “We are delighted to be working together with Exeter Community Energy and SunGift Solar on delivering this project to generate renewable energy through solar power at Exeter College.

“Like all public sector bodies, Exeter College is exploring efficiencies and opportunities to meet budget constraints. This solar installation initiative not only reduces our carbon footprint and provide us with green energy, it also provides the additional economic benefit of an income stream that can be reinvested into education in the city.”

Multi award winning SunGift Solar, based in Exeter won the tender to install the solar panels.

Gabriel Wondrausch, Managing Director of SunGift Solar said: “It is a great pleasure to install this solar system for ECOE & Exeter College. We are used to our systems delivering many benefits but we are very proud of this particular one because the benefits are so wide reaching, from the college and all its students to the members/investors of ECOE and the beneficiaries of the community fund.”

Pictured: Exeter’s largest community solar power project is installed at Exeter College – pictured (left), Gill Wyatt, Exec Chair of Exeter Community Energy, and (right) Steve Strang, Head of Estates at Exeter College, with in the background Nuku Wondrausch (left) and Ashley Commins (right) from SunGIft Solar.

Samuel Guy, from Sampford Peverell, near Tiverton, won Outstanding Sport Student of the Year at the National BTEC Awards, and James Steel, from Crediton, won Outstanding Hospitality and Travel and Tourism Student of the Year, at the National BTEC Awards.

The event, which celebrates achievement in the country’s most widely taken vocational qualification, was held at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London on Thursday 7th July 2016.

The awards recognise the nearly one million students around the country who are studying BTEC qualifications this year. Pearson, who own BTEC, received nearly 1,000 nominations across the 19 award categories for this year’s Awards.

Now in their sixth year, the Awards were hosted by Radio 1 Presenter Gemma Cairney and attendees by the winners, their families and teachers as well as stakeholders from the education and business worlds.

Ahead of the Awards Ceremony, the winners, their family, friends and nominators attended a Parliamentary reception in the House of Commons.

Pete Chapman, Head of the Faculty of Sport, Leisure and Tourism, said: “BTEC is an outstanding vocational programme preparing all learners for pathways through to either Higher Education or direct to their chosen field of employment. Both Sam and James have each excelled within what are extremely demanding programmes of study and have achieved incredibly high grades through a determined and dedicated approach to their studies.

“Both James and Sam have had their challenges to overcome and have done so with a smile on their face and an excellent sense of humour at all times. They have demonstrated huge courage at times of adversity and as a teaching team we are so proud of their achievements.

“This accolade is so well deserved by both of them. We wish both Sam and James every success in their futures and know that their incredible strength and resilience will help them be a huge success in their careers.”

Rod Bristow, President of Pearson in the UK, said: “BTEC is a high quality and demanding qualification with those in possession increasingly sought after by universities and employers. This year’s judges were impressed by the quality and number of nominations we received but James and Samuel really stood out as a truly exceptional student and deserve a huge congratulations”.

Winner biography: Samuel Guy, Outstanding BTEC Sport Student of the Year

Sam is an inspirational student, whose positive approach to the course and to college life means he has become a natural role model for his peers. He is on track to receive D*D*D* (Award of Distinction* D*) for his BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and according to his tutors, he is always the first to step up to the challenge and shows fantastic commitment to sport.

Sam has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus but he hasn’t let this dampen his motivation or determination to succeed. He has taken part in all practical activities covered in the course and is currently training and playing for Somerset Disability Cricket Team in addition to playing badminton, 5 a side and table tennis in his free time alongside able-bodied athletes. After completing his BTEC, Sam is taking a year off as he’s undergoing an operation that he hopes will give him more independence but next year, he plans to go back to Exeter College and take a Foundation Degree in Coaching and Fitness, with longer term aspirations for coaching disabled people in cricket.

Winner biography, James Steel, Outstanding BTEC Hospitality and Travel and Tourism Student of the Year

James is extraordinarily dedicated to his studies and taking on extensive extra-curricular activities including standing to be a District Councillor, interning with the Exeter Labour Party’s campaign manager and holding down a part time job.

On track to achieve D*D*D* (Award of Distinction* D*) for his BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism, James is also taking a WJEC Extended Project Level 3 qualification, researching the Greek tourism industry post-banking crisis. He aims to combine his passion for tourism with his interest in politics and aspires one day to work for the EU. Described by his tutors as mature, compassionate and determined to succeed, James holds various roles within the college, including Faculty Student Representative and Communications Officer for the cross-college student representative committee. He is supportive and encouraging of his peers and his enthusiasm and drive inspire the best in everyone. After he completes his BTEC, James is going to the University of Surrey to study Tourism Management.

This week sees the launch of the Queen Street Dinning Academy (QSDA), an exciting and innovative new recruitment initiative designed to support young people wishing to pursue a career in the food and beverage sector.

Aviva Investments, the company behind Exeter’s hotly anticipated Queen St. dining quarter, has teamed up with Exeter College to provide local job opportunities and assist new tenants with staff recruitment.

The 8 new restaurants, opening in Queen St. later this summer, require an estimated 300 new employees to staff their operations. QSDA will match local jobseekers to vacancies and support employees, by helping them to access training, develop skills and earn industry qualifications.

The project, in line with the British Council of Shopping Centres’ initiative ‘Retail Matters’, aims to support and promote jobs in retail property by implementing measures to progress careers.

Simon Green, Director In Town Retail & Shopping Centres for Aviva Investors, comments:

“In developing the Queen Street dining quarter it was important for us to deliver unique initiatives, with the potential to engage and inspire the local community and create a lasting legacy in the city and region. We want local people to take pride in Queen St. and its success.”

Vice Principal of Exeter College, Rob Bosworth, adds:

“We pride ourselves, at Exeter College, in creating exceptional partnerships. The creation of the Queen Street Dining Academy will establish a hub of outstanding opportunity for young people here in the heart of Exeter. The support from Aviva Investment has allowed us to develop a programme that will ensure businesses and customers receive service and support above their expectations. Our shared ethos of commitment to quality, innovation and great customer experience stands us in good stead for the future.”

The QSDA is a fully developed recruitment and training model, at levels 2, 3 and 4, delivering bespoke apprenticeship programmes, vocational experience and day release training. QSDA will have a dedicated member of staff based in the quarter to support participants and ensure they are trained to the highest level. Exeter College staff will also undertake onsite assessments, to ensure excellence is achieved.

Head of Business Solutions and Enterprise at Exeter College, Mike Blakeley, explains more:

“The Queen Street Dining Academy combines top class apprenticeship programmes with some of the most innovative and exciting eateries around. Employers have a hunger for motivated young people, to join their teams, and the opportunities are huge for those who can get a foothold in industry. Offering 3 – 4 year career development plans within the Academy will ensure our apprentices are well on the way to a successful and rewarding career.”

Mike continues: “The employment market can be a little daunting for those young people looking for their first full time job. Our work, with the Queen Street Dining Quarter, opens up opportunities to all and removes several of the hurdles young people often face in securing a role with training. QSDA recruits will get some of the best training and employer support anywhere in the country. The hundreds of young people who opt for an apprenticeship with Exeter College have an amazing start to their career.”

Queen St. Diningwill feature an eclectic mix of exciting brands , the majority of which are new to the South West. The line up comprises of: Absurd Bird, Comptoir Libanais, Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), Grillstock, KuPP, The Stable, The Terrace and Turtle Bay. The dining quarter will also introduce new wonderful and welcoming open air spaces designed especially for food events, markets and entertainment.

Joe Hill, the Exeter based Managing Director of the group who have created the Terrace, is already working with QSDA to source staff and support their training and development requirements. Joe comments:

“The Queen Street Dining Academy brings together a recruitment and training solution in one simple package. To be able to access a talent pool of young motivated apprentices will without doubt add value to our business and, in turn, this will ensure our customers receive outstanding service and high quality output from our kitchens. We understand the value of supporting our staff and training and development is a significant part of our investment in our employees. Having a high quality academy on our doorstep is an exciting development, not only for us, but the other 7 restaurants in the quarter. We have without doubt seen a rise in career opportunities in our sector and this simple and effective approach will create countless opportunities for those with an interest in professional cookery and hospitality.”

Joe added: “we are delighted that Exeter College and Aviva investments have joined forces to benefit young people, businesses and the customers of our restaurants. The quality of what they do will stand out for all to see.”

Exeter College raises a record breaking £13,470.71 in support of Teenage Cancer Trust – the most ever raised by a college for the charity in the South West.

Over the past year, students and staff have come together to raise funds for the college’s Charity of the Year Teenage Cancer Trust – the only UK charity supporting 13-24 year olds with cancer through their specialist nursing staff and units. In March 2014 Teenage Cancer Trust raised £2.5million to open the first specialist Teenage Cancer Trust unit in the South West for local young people from across the region with cancer.

Students and staff at the college have raised funds for the charity through a year of creative and inspiring fundraising, from cakes sales, to sporting events, a sponsored Jailbreak, Carol concert, sponsored abseil, to a battle of the bands contest.

Exeter College Student Representative Committee recently presented a cheque to Melissa Kent, Regional Fundraiser at the Teenage Cancer Trust.

This is the highest ever raised for the college’s Charity of the Year, and, according to the Teenage Cancer Trust, is the most ever raised by a FE college across the South West.

In addition to supporting Teenage Cancer Trust, the local charity Force Cancer Support will also receive £1,370.63. This brings the overall fundraising total to £14,841.34.

John Laramy, Exeter College Principal, said: “As a college we invest a lot of time, energy and resource into developing the whole person, as a result Ofsted visited the college during the last year to look at our approach to social responsibility.

“The fact that the Student Representative Committee have raised a staggering amount is a real testament to the culture here at Exeter College, students, staff and stakeholder have all joined forces to raise a record amount for the nominated college charity.”

“The students choose the college charity each year and the Teenage Cancer Trust really resonated with the college community, the target for the year, set by the students was £6,000 – so I did start to wonder where the figure might end up as we passed £10,000! This fundraising feat, for me, demonstrates the qualities of young people that I see every day and I am delighted that this year's fund raising has been so successful.”

Megan Snell, Deputy Head of Student Experience at Exeter College, said: “It has been a remarkable year of fundraising by our students and staff who have come together to support our Charity of the Year Teenage Cancer Trust.

“We are delighted to be able to support Teenage Cancer Trust and it has been a privilege to see the remarkable and inspiring fundraising that has taken place. Students are able to use the experiences they have in fundraising as part of the enrichment we offer at the college – thank you to everyone who has been part of this exceptional year of fundraising.”

Melissa Kent, Regional Fundraiser from the Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “It has been a remarkable year for the college’s fundraising. I have had the absolute pleasure of visiting the college on three occasions, each time I have met many driven and determined students, it demonstrates the brilliance of the college. Thank you too all the individuals that made the incredible figure possible, we are truly delighted.”

The College has already voted to support Devon Air Ambulance Trust as its Charity of the Year for 2016-17.

Exceptional Student Success Celebrated at Awards Evening

The inspirational achievements of exceptional students at Exeter College have been celebrated at the AS and BTEC Certificate Awards 2016.

New York Times Bestselling author Kathryn Aalto was guest speaker at the awards held at the college’s Centre for Creative Industries on Tuesday, 28th June.

More than 80 students, family, friends and staff attended the awards celebrating outstanding student contributions and success across a broad range of programmes.

The college was privileged to welcome guest speaker Kathryn Aalto, the author of New York Times Bestseller 2016 Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh: A Walk Through the Forest that Inspired the Hundred Acre Wood (2015).

Philip Bostock OBE DL, Chair of the Board of Governors at Exeter College, presented the winners with their awards alongside Kathryn Aalto.

The evening also saw a number of presentations and performances by students – showcasing the talents of students and a range of faculties and subjects.

Emma Fielding, Assistant Principal, said: “We were delighted to welcome the author Kathryn Aalto as our guest speaker for the awards and I’d like to extend our warmest thanks to her for giving her time and sharing with us her own journey to success”.

“It was inspiring to have the opportunity to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our students at this year’s awards across such a broad range of subjects and programmes.

“The awards were moving, uplifting and a true celebration of the talents and efforts of our young people and I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our winners once again.”

Exeter College students impressed at the coveted national finals in London of the toughest debating competition in the country.

A landmark event in the UK’s education calendar, the college students beat off tough competition to reach the Institute of Ideas Debating Matters National Final at the Museum of London.

The students from Exeter College won their place at the national finals after being crowned winners of the West and South Wales regional final of the competition.

Team members Milo Simpson, Tilly Porter, Stan Whittaker and Dylan Woodward were all praised by the judges for their debating skills.

Dylan Woodward was awarded the Highly Commended prize, for the second best individual in the competition, whilst Milo Simpson and Stan Whittaker also received Honourable Mentions.

English Literature Coordinator and debating coach Martin Owen said: “This is an exceptional group of students. They put up a fantastic performance in two very tough and closely fought debates and it was no disgrace to be knocked out by the team that went on to be champions. I’m very proud of the whole team.”

The Debating Matters Competition is supported by primary funder the Wellcome Trust.

The Greater London Authority hosted an opening reception on Friday 1 July at City Hall. Secretary of State for Schools, Nick Gibb MP, and Deputy Chair of the London Assembly, Jennette Arnold OBE AM, addressed the students and invited guests.

Created in 2002, Debating Matters is a national sixth-form debating competition, a project of the Institute of Ideas (IoI) involving nearly 300 schools and 2,000 students from around the UK. The IoI organises intelligent public debates, including an annual debating festival in London, the Battle of Ideas.

Students from the full time BTEC Dance course at Exeter College have been selected by Rambert Dance Company to perform at a national showcase at The Peacock Theatre in London’s West End.

The showcase will be held on Tuesday 28 June and is the final event of Rambert Elements, a nationwide choreography challenge for schools and colleges that has been taking place throughout the 2015/16 academic year.

Over 70 school and college groups from across the UK applied to take part in Rambert Elements. A total of 36 groups were then selected to take part in the project, which has raised the profile of choreography in schools and colleges and provided performance opportunities across the country.

Over the past three months all 36 groups have taken part in regional showcases held in London, Norwich, Nottingham, Plymouth and Salford, which were attended by representatives from Rambert. Each group choreographed and performed their own short work using music, themes, and creative tasks given to them by choreographers associated with Rambert; Mark Baldwin, Aletta Collins, and Alexander Whitley.

Joce Giles, Rambert’s Director of Creative Projects said: “The standard of the performances by all groups was exceptionally high and it has been an inspiring experience to see the creativity and talent that exists within schools and colleges throughout the country.”

Exeter College were selected after performing at Theatre Royal’s TR2 in Plymouth.

Dance lecturer Emma Wyke said: “To have the opportunity to dance and learn from Alexander Whitley’s creative process has been an essential part of our students enhanced learning, and has contributed immensely to the development of their own choreographic work. There can be no higher commendation for the students than to reach the final stage of the Rambert Elements Showcase.”

The six schools selected to perform at the final Rambert Elements showcase are:

Dame Allan’s School (Newcastle), Dereham Neatherd High School (Norfolk), Exeter College, Glasgow Clyde College, Lewisham Southwark College, and Stratford upon Avon College.

Two students at Exeter College took the first and second prizes in a cooking competition judged by the Head Chef at a Michelin starred restaurant

Student Amy Thadwald, from Exeter College, took the first prize of £2,000 in the Ray Kenny Bursary Competition for Hospitality, hosted by the College.

Harrison Brockington, also from Exeter College, gained second place in the contest.

Both of the students have also won a six-week work experience placement during the summer at the luxury Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, near Bath.

The competition was judged by Ben Taylor, Head Chef of the fine dining Michelin starred restaurant at the Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, near Bath, and Stuart Mackernell. Stuart is a former Head Chef of the world famous Dorchester Hotel in London.

The students who won the contest are both studying on the VRQ2 Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College.

The contest saw nine students from a number of local colleges given the challenge of being given two and a half hours to produce a starter, main course and dessert for two people. There were four Colleges competing in all: Exeter College, Cornwall College, Petroc College, South Devon College. Exeter College entered two students into the competition.

John Wheeler, Head of the Faculty of Hospitality, Hair and Beauty, said: “The students worked hard at perfecting their dishes for the completion and this was evident on the day.

“The balance of flavours, textures and outstanding presentation really made them winning entries. It’s great when students get involved in competitions like this, they get so much out of it and they are so looking forward to the opportunity of such a fantastic work placement as part of their prize.”