Bury College students received their A-level and vocational results today, Thursday, with a lively celebration event.
With a DJ and food on offer at the Milennium Centre, students piled into the sports hall this morning to receive their results, which included A-levels, T-levels and BTEC.
Joseph Grierso, 18, from Bury, achieved an A in film and Bs in sociology and drama in his A-levels.
He will be taking a gap year to try and secure experience as a runner before attending Aberystwyth University next year to study drama and film.
He said: “I’m keen to learn more about how it all works behind the scenes. I can’t believe my results, I’m really happy with them.”
Olivia Whittle,18, from Prestwich, and achieved a B in art, a C in drama and a D in English literature and will be off to CU Scarborough to study acting.
He said: “I’m feeling good about it [ the results] and have an unconditional offer waiting for me.”
Madison Hawthorne, from Bury, achieved an A in art, an A in sociology and a B in psychology and will be attending the University of Leeds to study fashion marketing.
She said: “I initially wanted to be a model but released quickly that the industry can be problematic sometimes.
“I decided that instead, I wanted to be the one helping to change the narrative, to be the person choosing the types of people we see represented.”
Aimee Carroll,18, from Bury, secured a B in English language, a B in psychology and a C in sociology and hopes to find a place at university in the coming weeks.
Thursday saw the second cohort of students receiving results for T-levels, a technical-based qualification which includes practical and classroom-based learning, which was first introduced in 2020.
Ellie Schofield, 18, and Leonie Smith,18, both from Bolton, studied childcare and teaching assistant T-levels and both passed with distinction, which is the equivalent to AAA at A-level.
Ellie said: “I’m going to Edge Hill to study primary education and am excited but nervous.”
Leonie, who will be attending Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “I want to be a primary school teacher as I like the idea of helping children learn and grow.”
The college also offers students alternative ways into higher education through access courses.
Kiedas Fulton, 20, from Little Lever, found out he passed his access course.
The Bury College student had previously embarked on the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions pathway) but had to drop out due to personal reasons, including the death of a close relative.
He said: “I’m not one to ask for help and didn’t have many friends at the time. My mental health was pretty bad.
“My family members kept me going though and encouraged me to go back. They reminded me that the world is my oyster.”
Crediting his love for biology and science as the reason for taking up the course, Kiedas also thanked his tutors at the college for helping him pass.
He said: “The tutors have been great and really pushed me out of my comfort zone to get me through the course. Nothing was too much trouble for them.
“I have an unconditional offer at Preston but I’m not really sure what is next for me yet. I’d like to attend Leeds University I think.”
Aimee Newman, 18, from Bury, achieved a pass in her level 3 hair and media make up course.
The student, who is self-employed at Aimee Summer Beauty, said: “I have a passion for make up and have done since I was about 7. I’d love to set up my own salon and brand one day.”
Sam Dymond, 18, from Bury, gained a distinction in his Level 3 sport and physical activity diploma, alongside a sports massage qualification.
He will be going to the University of Salford to study sport rehabilitation.
Sam said: “I hopefully going to pursue my career in sports to extend into professional sports in the future.
“Bury College has helped me to gain confidence. Before I started college, I never thought I’d make to university but now I am.”
Charlie Deane, the college's principal and chief executive, said: “I want to say a huge congratulations to our students for their efforts and achievements.
“It has been great to see more students than ever progress positively, demonstrating resilience, commitment, collaboration and confidence.
“I’m sure that for all of you this is just the start of a very positive future.
“On behalf of governors, I would also like to say a huge thank you to every member of staff who has contributed positively to this success.”
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