Our GCSE students have been celebrating results that have opened up routes into nursing, teaching, university and more.

Learners of all ages found out their results on Thursday 22 August, and are now looking forward to taking their next steps in education or work.

Denise Winterburn – who was on holiday when she learnt how she had done – was thrilled with her Grade 5 in English. She said: “This means I can now make progress in my career and enrol to become a nurse apprentice.

“I couldn’t be happier and I’m really grateful for the help from my very supportive teachers, they were brilliant!”

Praise for ‘wonderful teacher’ Marie

Another student celebrating was aspiring teacher Matt Rodgers. Matt now has several options to choose from when it comes to where he will go to start his training this September, after securing both his English and maths GCSEs.

He said: “Marie Doney, my maths teacher, was amazing. She gave extra support when I did not understand things and she was so helpful.”

Many others also took the opportunity to praise Marie, who completed her final day at the college – after 14 years’ service – on results day.

Olivia Scothern, who is aiming to go on to higher education after achieving a Grade 4, said: “I would not have passed without Marie’s help, she is a wonderful teacher and I am so grateful.

“I am now applying to university and my experience as the college’s Students’ Union rep here will be really useful. I want to have a career as a primary school teacher.”

Fellow GCSE maths student Hannah Fearnley added: “I spent a long time not believing in myself. Marie has been brilliant, helping me build my confidence.

“This result just proves that if you apply yourself, you can do it.”

Jake Frieze-Smaje’s Grade 4 in maths, meanwhile, will enable him to continue his studies with us. He said: “I am coming back to Harrogate College this year to complete my diploma in Hospitality and Culinary Skills.

“I’m really happy I passed, my maths teacher was really friendly and spent a lot of time helping me to understand.”

And Craig Shava’s maths pass will allow him to study Applied Science with us as he works towards a career in radiography.

Craig Shava

For Latera Gnaro, a Grade 4 means he can now go ahead and study IT at our sister institution, Leeds City College.

Amazing support delivers English success

GCSE English students also had plenty to celebrate on the day. Anna Jarzynska was delighted with her Grade 4 – and also surprised, as she thought she might need another year.

She said: “I am so excited to have passed! It was only due to the amazing support from my teachers, Seona McLinden and Christine Day.”

Callum Ross, Alex Ross and Hayden Whitehouse all echoed those sentiments and, after finding English difficult at school, said they enjoyed experiencing a different teaching approach at college.

Jack Garbutt, meanwhile, saw two years of hard work pay off – all done while he was also completing his Level 2 Motor Vehicle course – as he achieved a Grade 4.

Programme Manager for English and Maths, Debbie Redman, praised Jack’s English teachers, learning support assistants and the pastoral team for supporting his progress.

Jack Arbutt (left) with Anthony Kay from the college’s pastoral team

For many learners such as Callum Bell, who achieved a Grade 5 in English, their results have opened up a range of exciting opportunities.

Callum said: “I came back to try again after a bit of a break and have succeeded this year with the help of my great teachers. Now I have both my maths and English GCSEs, I have more choices about what to do next.”

Students of all ages have been celebrating GCSE success at Harrogate College.

For many, their time at college has been used to gain a qualification that they missed out on during their school years – and to build up their self-belief.

Jen, for example, wasn’t able to sit exams at school and had lacked confidence  before taking on her maths GCSE, which she achieved a grade 5 in.

Amazing support – and growing confidence

She said: “I loved coming to class and will really miss it! The support from my tutor was amazing, and I am coming back to do GCSE English.” 

JD Jackson came to the UK from the US a few years ago without any maths qualifications, so was delighted to achieve a grade 7.

He said: “I thought about doing maths for several years and finally decided to do it this year.

“I lacked confidence but, like many people now, I realise as long as you keep trying you will succeed.”

Happy to continue growing at Harrogate College

For Holly Parker, who was anxious about exams during her school years, it was a similar story – but this time in English, which she has just achieved a grade 5 GCSE in.

She said: “I couldn’t have done it without the support of my teacher. I am excited to come back to Harrogate College to do my maths GCSE next year.”

For others, like Maruta Cesmane, taking on a maths GCSE was a chance to prove to herself that she could do well in the subject – and the course has also helped her manage her everyday finances. Martua was pleased to have made some great progress this year, and is returning to the college to aim for a higher grade.

Libby Proctor, meanwhile, has already been on that journey and re-sat her English GCSE to improve on her grade. She is now, after achieving a grade 4, looking forward to studying level 3 Childcare at the college.

For more on courses at Harrogate College click here.