Students across East Lancashire celebrate boosting English GCSE exam grades

Students across East Lancashire are celebrating after boosting their English GCSE exam results. 

Three students celebrating their successes are Yameen Hasware, 16, Evan Hurley, 18, and Matthew Tattersall, 22, who have all improved their original GCSE grades by either two or three grades, after resitting their exams at Blackburn College. 

Yameen from Blackburn, who is studying a BTEC Foundation Diploma in Engineering, originally gained a grade 3 in GCSE English but walked away with a grade 6. 

Matthew Tattersall, from Rossendale who is studying a BTEC in Information and Creative Technology went up from a grade 3 to a grade 6 in GCSE English. While Evan Hurley from Wilpshire, who is studying an Extended Diploma in Music Performance, went from a grade 3 in GCSE English to a grade 5. 

Former St Wilfrid’s CE Academy pupil Yameen said: “I enjoyed studying English Language GCSE at Blackburn College alongside my Level 3 Engineering course. 

“The atmosphere is different compared to school as your main subject is something that you have chosen and are interested in. I understand much more now how important English is for my future. When I have been looking at apprenticeship jobs and university courses after my course, they all ask to have a GCSE English Language qualification at grade 4 or higher. 

“I knew that not having GCSE English would hold me back. I gained a 3 in my GCSE English course at school, but I am delighted that after sitting the exam in November 2021 I have gained a grade 6! I didn’t expect this at all.” 

Former Ribblesdale Technology College pupil Evan added: “I’m thrilled that I have got a grade 5 and exceeded my target. I chose to study Music at Blackburn College as the facilities and tutors were the best by far. I went to look around other colleges, but Blackburn College’s Music department and facilities are amazing.”