Celebrations after Newtown and Brecon College Students achieve top results in BTEC Extended National Diplomas

Students at Newtown and Brecon Colleges (part of NPTC Group of Colleges) are celebrating after achieving top results in their BTEC Extended National Diplomas. Many have secured places at university and got the qualifications to land their dream jobs after successfully getting the grades they needed.

The Level 3 BTEC’s are equivalent to three A Levels and are the chosen route for many students who can’t face the thought of sitting exams but still want to go to university or pursue a career.

The qualifications require commitment and dedication and are based around practical experience and course work.

Across the Group, 90 students achieved triple distinctions grades in the Extended National Diploma qualifications, with 28 students achieving the highest possible grade profile of D*D*D*. In addition, more than 266 students passed their Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification Skills Challenge Certificate with an exceptional pass rate of 94%.  For the 13th consecutive years, students sitting their A Levels (Neath College) achieved a 99 per cent pass rate.

Mark Dacey, Chief Executive Officer for NPTC Group of Colleges said: “We have had fantastic results for students doing vocational courses at Newtown and Brecon Colleges. Many have achieved the highest grades possible and we are delighted that they are now able to fulfil their potential, go on to employment or secure places at University.”

Some of those students have been back to College to collect their qualifications and celebrate their success and include:

Health and Social Care – BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

Jade Jenkins-Griffiths:  D*DD – What makes this achievement special is that Jade has looked after her daughter and worked whilst achieving top grades. She is going to be working in Health & Social Care.

Coral Jenkins:  D*D*D*- Coral is an ex-Level 2 student who has worked so hard to achieve her Level 3 qualification with top grades. She is has been accepted at the University of South Wales to study for a degree in Midwifery.

Shannon Hamer:  DDD – is has a place confirmed to go to Bangor University to study Child Nursing.

Eleanor Cochrane:  D*D*D* – Elle is going to Coventry University to study for a degree in Midwifery.

Lois Bolton:  D*DD – is going to Swansea University to study for a degree in Adult Nursing.

Seren Williams:  DDD -is going to Cardiff Met University to study for a degree in Education, Psychology & Special Needs.

Tyler O’Gara:  DDD – is a graduate from Level 2 Health and Social Care and is now looking for jobs in Health and Social Care.

Tricia Rees-Jones:  D*DD – is going to the University of Wales Trinity St David’s to study for a Degree in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status.

Sport – BTEC Level 3 Ext Dip Sport (Coaching, Development & Fitness)

Sam Morris: D*D*D* – from Newtown is going to University of South Wales – Football Coaching & Performance.

Ffion Evans: D*D*D – from Llanidloes has got a place at Cardiff Met to study Sport & Physical Education.

Agriculture – Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture

Kira Newey from Llandinam attained Distinction*.  Olivia Bennett-Jones from Hodley and Gemma Price from Llaithdu achieved Distinctions.

Public Services Extended Diploma

Francesca Board D*D*D* – from Llanidloes, is going to University of South Wales to study Criminology, Criminal and Youth Justice.

Rhiannon Mills D*D*D* – has just turned 18 years old in July. She is in the early stages of the application for the retained fire station in Machynlleth. She is going to continue her studies with the Open University starting later in the year, her goal is to join the police force.

IT Extended Diploma

Brandon Pratten:  D*D*D* – from Newtown is taking a gap year and then going on to study at University of Swansea.

Anthony Andrews: D*D*D* – from Brecon. It means Anthony now leaves College s with an overall grade of triple distinction star, and will now go on to study a degree in Music Technology.

Anthony is not the only student to have enjoyed success. All students have completed their courses with excellent results.

Some will remain to continue their studies at the Brecon Beacons College, with others moving further afield to study at Higher Education level.