Months of nerves and anticipation are coming to an end for Pendle students as they pick up their long-awaited A Level results.
At Nelson and Colne College, there is even more reason to celebrate as once again they achieved a 100% pass rate and a record number of A* grades.
This morning, students and staff could be seen cheering, making excited phone calls to family and friends and breathing huge sighs of relief as they opened the dreaded envelopes revealing their fate.
For many the next step is university, with some high-fliers sharing where they will now be going to continue their academic career.
Umair Asif (18), who achieved A*, A*, A, A in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics, as well as a Distinction in Advanced Extension Mathematics, said: “I will be going to York University to do a joint degree in Physics and Maths. I have definitely enjoyed college, and made some good friends and had some great times.”
Former Colne Park High School student Joseph Gawthrop (18), who got three A* grades in Biology, Mathematics and Chemistry, said: “I am in a bit of shock, I wasn’t expecting it at all. I have tried not to think about it over Summer. I will now be going to Bath University to study Natural Sciences.”
Amy Elliott (18), who got A*, A*, A, A in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics, and who will now be going to the University of Manchester to read Theoretical Physics, added: “I was a bit nervous beforehand - it is a big relief.”
And Sarah Kendall (25), who was awarded an A*, A, A in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, said: “I went to Accrington and Rossendale College initially to do a BTEC, and then took a few years out to work in retail. I thought I would do Science when I was 22, and I have had really supportive parents who have been brilliant. I feel ecstatic, over the moon, and I will now be going to Leeds University to study Microbiology.”
For some students, their achievements are particularly staggering - since they have had to overcome their own obstacles to gain their grades.
For Lewis Turner, his A*, A and A in Computing, Mathematics and Physics come after he had to take three to four weeks off due to a chest operation. He had to swop weekend fun to play catch-up and found himself having to attend extra workshops and spend more time in the library so that he could achieve his dreams of going to the University of Birmingham to study Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.
And for Craig Hardy (18), he was able to achieve an A*, A and B in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics - after he received support for his dyslexia from the college.
Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “It is brilliant to see a record number of A*s. Once again the students of Nelson and Colne College have done us proud.”
