New College Pontefract students have seen another year of strong results, enabling the significant majority of students to progress to the university course, job or apprenticeship of their choice.
This year, 58% of students achieved an A*, A or B in their A-level courses, in line with last year’s figure, with 84% achieving A*-C, and 30% achieving A*-A, the highest figure for the very top grades the college has achieved outside of the Covid years. Both of these figures are very strong and are well over the national average. Overall, 99.6% of students passed their A-level courses. As a result of these figures, many students have been accepted onto some very competitive courses, with 12 students gaining admission to Oxford and Cambridge.
Students on Applied General courses also performed really well, with a 100% pass rate and 67.8% achieving a distinction or distinction*, the high grades available on these courses.
All of these figures may improve slightly as exam boards process requests for exam reviews.
“We are tremendously proud of our young people,” said Vicky Marks, New College Principal. “These results open so many doors to competitive university courses, apprenticeships and employment opportunities, and they reflect the enormous amount of hard work our young people have put in.
“All of this is underpinned by the enthusiasm, energy, skill and persistence of the teaching, pastoral and support staff who work so hard to give our young people the best possible chance of the best possible grades. We know the difference that a high-quality education makes to our young people’s lives, which is why seeing their success is always so gratifying.”
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.
“As a community, we are delighted to celebrate in the success of all of our young people,” said Richard Fletcher, CEO of the New Collaborative Learning Trust which oversees the college. “These results mean that more young people will have more opportunities for improved life outcomes, accessing better courses and jobs, thereby making a significant impact on improving social mobility.
“The past month has thrown a spotlight on the way in which our communities can sometimes be conflicted and embattled. All of our schools and colleges across Yorkshire play a major role in promoting social cohesion in their communities, and results days like today help us all share and celebrate in the benefits of that shared endeavour.”
