New College Pontefract students have achieved another set of excellent results this year, meaning that the significant majority have progressed to the university course, job or apprenticeship of their choice.
This year, 60% of A-level students achieved an A*, A or B in their results, matching the same figure for 2019, reflecting not only the hard work of the staff and students but also the national context of a return to pre-Covid grade boundaries. This is well in excess of this year’s national average of 52.7% for high grades at A-level. Alongside this, 69.3% achieved a high grade in their Applied General courses such as BTECs, only slightly below last year’s 72%, when the grade boundaries were more generous. For A-level, the overall pass rate was 99.7%, and for Applied General 99.6%.
“These figures reflect the enormous amount of work that staff and students have put into their courses this year,” said Vicky Marks, principal of New College Pontefract. “Teaching, pastoral and support staff have worked tirelessly to help to ensure that, whatever the difficulties our students have faced, they can progress successfully to the course or career of their choice. This year’s results, which are well above the national average, are further evidence of the special community we have established here, and how hard we work to help to ensure all our students are successful. We are delighted for them and wish them all good luck with the next stage of their lives.”
These outcomes build on the excellent track-record New College has of helping to ensure that young people make concrete progress towards better life outcomes during their time at college.
“Once again, we are able to take immense pride in New College’s achievements,” said Richard Fletcher, CEO of the New Collaborative Learning Trust which oversees the college. “Nationally, we have returned to pre-Covid grade boundaries, which are significantly tougher than last year. But we are seeing results across NCLT which are well above national averages, and in line or exceeding results we achieved in 2019. These figures really matter, because each number reflects one more young person who will be able to access a better university course, better apprenticeship or better job as a result of their time with us. Helping our young people achieve better life outcomes is our central vision, binding together everything we do across all of our colleges and schools.”
