Higher Achievements at Derby College

Derby College is celebrating an increase in the number of students achieving higher grades (A* to B) in the first A level results published since the major curriculum re-structure.

A record 30% of A level students at the Joseph Wright sixth form centre gained the higher grades and the overall pass rate was just over 96%.  Points per entry has also increased to 27.5 compared with 23.7 last year.

Twelve subjects recorded 100% pass rates including Core Maths, Law, French and Spanish and there was particular progress in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) subjects.

Head Stacey Adams said: “We are very proud of the fact that two thirds of our subjects have increased their A*to B grade performance and that we have maintained both our breadth and quality of provision since the A level reforms.

“The STEM agenda is essential to both the local and national agenda and I am delighted that we have seen a significant improvement in high grades in Maths, Core Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science. 

“Our first full cohort of Core Maths students have achieved 100% pass rate with a third gaining high grades. 

“Our strong focus on the STEM agenda led to the development of both BTEC Applied Science and Computing pathways two years ago to address skills shortages and both have been phenomenally successful. 

“Computing BTEC has seen an 81% high grade achievement with the majority of these being triple D* (equivalent to A*A*A*), Applied Science has seen a 94% high grade achievement. 

“The Applied Science students had the opportunity to become fully immersed in to modern German renewable engineering in a two week residential in the world’s first renewable energy village in Germany.  A high percentage of students have changed their future career focus to engineering as a result of the trip.”

Mrs Adams continued: "The majority of our students will now be heading off to their first choice university and the team of teaching and support staff will be on hand to support anyone who needs to clarify the situation and make decisions on their next step. 

"It has been important for everyone collecting their results to realise that there are a wide range of options still open to them.

"We therefore have information available for students about apprenticeships, clearing and the College's Higher Education study programmes.”

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