GCSE results: New College celebrates success

A total of 476 New College students passed their Maths and English GCSEs - with grades 9-4. Under the new 1-9 marking scheme, a grade 9 represents the top mark (equivalent to an A*) with 4 being a standard pass (equivalent to a C).

Of the 1181 students at New College picking up their results, 80 percent were taking Maths and English Language. Many of those taking GCSEs at the college were retaking their exams to improve their grades, including adults who are returning to education. GCSE students at New College take their exams after a single year of study. 

However, only 14 out of 18 other subjects saw more than half of the students sitting these exams achieving a 9-4 pass grade. In the other four subjects fewer than half of the students sitting the exam achieved a 9-4 pass.

In the 16-18 age group, the number of GCSE entries increased from last year for this cohort to 1497 (from 1419 in 2018), with a pass rate of 98.3%.  And the number of entries which secured a 9-4 grade (up 8% on 2018).   

There were 11 subjects out of 20 where very high percentages (above 50%) of students achieved grade 9-4 with very strong performance from Science and Language subjects.   

16-18 students also achieved a 99% pass rate across vocational subjects with 589 entries. There were 100% pass rates in the following subjects: Art & Photography; Business & Law; Creative Media; Hair & Beauty; Performing Arts; Science and Sports.

The provision for Pre-16 students continues to grow and improve, with an overall GCSE pass rate of 99.5% from 207 entries (98.9% from 182 entries in 2018).  There was a 6% increase in the number of entries at grades 9-4 from last year. In 13 out of 20 subjects, over 60% entries achieved grades of 9-4, with a particularly strong showing in science subjects: Physics (100% at 9-4); Chemistry (75%) and Biology (71%).

For vocational courses, there were 62 entries, up from 48 in 2018, with 8 subjects achieving a 100% pass rate.   

A total of 303 GCSE entries were for 19+ adult students studying, with an overall pass rate of 98% and 46% of entries at grade 9-4.  There were five of the 10 GCSE subjects taken by 19+ students, where 100% of entries achieved grades 9-4: Chemistry; French; Geography; Physics and Spanish. 

New College Principal Carole Kitching said: “There have been some incredibly impressive GCSE and Level 2 results today from a diverse range of our students.  Each of those students will have their own story to tell about their reason for studying, their future plans and aspirations and how the learning journey has been for them. We want to help all of them succeed, not just in exams, but in achieving those personal goals and preferred destinations.  Today’s results will allow so many of them to progress, or to improve their career prospects. Our learners’ successes reflect their hard work and enthusiasm and is a tribute to the teaching and support provided by all staff here. We congratulate all of our students who received GCSE or Level 2 results today and wish them all the very best for the future.”