Bradford College students celebrate A Level success

Students and staff at Bradford College were celebrating after recording impressive results in A Level and AS Level examinations.

Of all the students who sat A Levels at the college’s Sixth Form this year, 98% achieved a pass.

And the pass rate was a perfect 100% for nine out of 15 courses – namely, English Language, English Literature, Business Studies, Chemistry, Citizenship, Film Studies, Media Studies, Applied Science and Anthropology.

Students collected their results from the College’s new £50m David Hockney Building, and celebrated their individual success, as well as that of their friends, with their tutors and College staff.

Among the students who were happy after opening their envelopes was Rocco Memery, 20, of Bradford, who achieved three A grades.

Rocco was home schooled as a child then emigrated to Greece aged 10.  Although he lived there for nine years he struggling with the Greek school system and felt he didn’t reach his academic potential.

Since returning to the UK and enrolling at Bradford College to study A levels, he has excelled and is on his way to fulfilling his dream of studying for an English degree.

He ultimately hopes to become a writer or tutor. He has already had a short story published.

Rocco said: “When I moved to Greece I had to learn the language from scratch and frankly struggled in school there. I got used to failing in school. I decided to come back and study for my A Levels and after being turned down by one college was accepted by Bradford College.

“I am really happy to have got the As that I wanted.”

Also celebrating was Charlotte Addinell, 18, of Shipley. She achieved two Bs and a C, in Media Studies, Sociology and English Literature respectively, and is now moving on to start a primary education degree with a view to becoming a teacher.

Charlotte thrived at Bradford College after being unhappy at her previous school. She joined the college for the second year of her A levels having started them at another institution.

“I think moving to Bradford College was the best decision I have ever made,” she said.

“I like the independence you are given at college more than school. I felt treated like a grown up.” 

Leah Kerr, 19, of Little Horton in Bradford was also thankful she made the decision to switch to Bradford College after achieving As in both Citizenship and Sociology plus a C in Anthropolgy.

“I initially went to a school sixth form but didn’t like it so came here and loved it.

“I wish I had come here first. I am really happy with my results and am now going to Nottingham to study for a degree in Sociology and Social Policy.”

Hodan Abdi, 20, of Leeds, was also smiling broadly after securing her place on a business after attaining A Levels in Business Studies, Sociology and Anthropology.

“It is a big relief. I didn’t get any sleep last night,” said Hodan, who also passed her GCSEs at Bradford College.

Cherie Jamieson, 20, of Bingley, is off to university to study criminology after collecting an A* in Citizenship Studies and C in Sociology.

“I am really pleased, I wasn’t expecting the A*,” said Cherie who was accompanied to college by her proud mum.

“I knew I had been accepted on the university course before I came to collect the results but it was still nice to see the results.”

Cherie did her GCSEs at Bradford College before joining the college’s Sixth Form Centre.

Group Chief Executive Officer, Andy Welsh, at Bradford College said: “Every year I am so proud of how hard our staff and students work and this year’s results once again highlight how much effort has gone into this year’s studies.”

Head of Department Academic, Art, Science & Maths, Anita Lall, at Bradford College Sixth Form said: “We are really pleased with how well the results have gone.

“The students have worked really hard to achieve their results. We are proud of them and they should be very proud of themselves.

“We are expanding our sixth form provision so this is a very strong foundation on which to do that.

“More students than ever have applied to come to do A Levels with us next year and we look forward to more celebration days like today.”