Students at Activate Learning’s Reading College and University Centre are celebrating today after collecting their GCSE exam results.
96.7% of students taking full-time GCSE programmes or standalone maths and English GCSEs at the King’s Road Campus achieved a pass in this year’s exams.
- 97.9% of students sitting their GCSE English passed
- 95.5% of students sitting their GCSE maths passed.
Many of the college’s GCSE students are learners who resit maths, English or both, to continue in education or progress their career.
This includes mature students who need these GCSEs to progress in the workplace, learners who may have missed the chance to go to university and want to study at degree level, alongside part-time students who have studied GCSEs at evening classes.
Hannah O’Neill, Group Director of Academic Studies Faculty at Activate Learning, said: “It takes great commitment to succeed in GCSE exams, from both learners and teachers.
“I would like to congratulate all learners on their achievements and wish them the best of luck in their subsequent endeavours. I also extend my thanks to our wonderful teachers and support staff, who work tirelessly to inspire and support every individual, with our Learning Philosophy consistently at the forefront of their practice.
“It is worth noting that our GCSE learners come to us for a multitude of reasons, but all display great courage in doing so. Whether they are adult learners returning to education to boost their confidence, skills or employment opportunities, or young people hoping to improve on what they achieved at school so they can reach their goals, every individual student deserves recognition for their commitment to learning. It is a pleasure for us to be a part of their journeys.”
Raya Ishmaeel, 17, from Woodley, a full-time GCSE Science pathway student and top performer at Reading College and University Centre, is celebrating an outstanding set of results, including Grades 9-9 in Combined Sciences and Grades 9 in English, maths and Statistics.
Raya said: “I feel surprised, especially for maths and statistics, when I wasn’t expecting these results.
“The teaching was really good. We had one year to learn all the content and it was at a good pace.
“Next year, I’m going to do A Levels in History, English Literature and Politics, here at Reading College and University Centre.”
Ella Ampontuah, 17, from Wokingham, a full-time GCSE Science pathway student Reading College and University Centre, is celebrating an outstanding set of results, including Grades 7-7 in Combined Science, Grades 7 in Maths and Statistics, and a Grade 6 in English.
Ella said: “I feel really happy about my results, they are what I was expecting.
“I decided to study a full-time GCSE Science pathway at Reading College and University Centre as my dad recommended that I study them here, after moving to the UK from Ghana, in July, last year.
“I like studying sciences. The teaching has been good and interesting. The teachers have supported me in many ways, by making time for me and answering all my questions.
“After getting my results, I intend to do A Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths at Reading College and University Centre. I feel happy about going to the same college.”
Abel Thomas, 17, from Reading, a full-time GCSE Science pathway student at Reading College and University Centre, achieved a Grade 8-7 in Combined Science, grades 7 in Maths and Statistics and a grade 5 in English.
Abel said: “I feel fine about my results, I’m happy!
“I chose to study a full-time GCSE Science pathway at Reading College and University Centre, as I previously didn’t get the marks that I needed to study A Levels, so I tried again so that I could get what I need to study the subjects I want to study at A Level.
“My peers are really friendly and have motivated me to study and work harder. I have three friends there and they help me to focus on my studies and not get distracted with other things. I think this was one of the best moments for me because I got to work harder here than previously so I expect to get better marks next time.
“The teachers are the best teachers I’ve ever had! That’s what I like about Reading College and University Centre. They are really motivated to teach me. They motivated me to study and work hard. They explained any topics in more depth.
“I’m planning to study A Levels in Physics, Maths and Chemistry at Reading College and University Centre so that I can go down the Engineering route. I feel that Reading College and University Centre is the best place for me.”
Seth Gay, 19, from Didcot, a full-time GCSE Science pathway student at Reading College and University Centre, is really pleased with his results. He achieved a Grade 6 in English, Grade 5-5 in Combined Science and Grade 5s Statistics and maths.
Seth said: “I initially did my exams in secondary school in 2021, but due to how I was in secondary school it wasn’t the right place for me academically. I then did a Level 3 qualification in Esports at Reading College and University Centre and got a triple Distinction, before deciding to retake my GCSEs, so that I could one day go to university.
“I feel pretty positive. I didn’t pace myself during the exams and to see what I’ve got was really a shock.
“I’ve got everything in place to do an Access to Higher Education in Science in September.”
Nikki Cooke, 37, from Reading, is an adult student who was collecting her GCSE maths result today, achieving a grade 4.
Nikki said “I’ve been trying to get my maths GCSE for about ten years. I left school with no GCSEs, it’s been a struggle.
“I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and that was probably a lot to do with it. Today, I finally passed! I feel good, it’s a nice surprise.
“The teaching was so much better than I’d ever had before, especially the last teacher I had. She explains things so much easier than anyone else, so things clicked a bit better. The teaching method and the ADHD diagnosis helped me.
“I’m now planning to do an Access to HE Diploma in Nursing at Reading College and University Centre, before studying Nursing at the University of West London, as I want to work in a hospital in future.”
Cheri Ashby, Deputy Chief Executive of Activate Learning, said: “At Activate Learning we have thousands of students receiving their GCSE English and maths results which will open so many opportunities for further study, employment or career progression.
“Many of our students come to us each year often lacking in confidence and self-belief, having not always achieved the grades they are capable of, and this is still particularly true of these learners who experienced massive disruption caused to their learning by the pandemic.
“Which is why I’m delighted to see that as a group we’ve seen 576 of our learners improve on their previous grade in English and 642 learners improve on their grade in maths across our group of colleges.
“This year we had more learners coming to us at the lower end of the grade boundaries, who were in need of a grade 4 to progress onto their next opportunity. Through our dedicated approach to teaching and learning, where students receive wrap-around support from staff who work with them individually, building their confidence, developing their knowledge and skills through our Learning Philosophy-based teaching. This is then supplemented with a range of online and AI-assisted technology. Our unique approach to learning enables our students to flourish and achieve the grades to which they aspire.
“On behalf of our Educational Leadership Team, I would like to offer our thanks and appreciation to all our committed teachers and college staff on today’s GCSE achievement and wish our students the best of luck in the next stage of their journey at Activate Learning or beyond.”
Reading College and University Centre offers part-time GCSEs in English and maths.
If a person doesn’t have the results they think they could have achieved, Reading College and University Centre offers one-year, full-time programmes for 16-19-year-olds who want to improve their GCSE grades.
Each programme is suited to a student’s level of grades and a range of subject choices are offered. You can find about the STEP, STEP UP and STRIVE GCSE programmes at Reading College and University Centre on the college website.
Reading College and University Centre also offers a wide range of A Level subjects, vocational programmes, Higher Education and apprenticeship opportunities.
This year, the college is providing information, advice and guidance via Clearing sessions at Reading College and University Centre from GCSE Results Day, and throughout the end of August and September. Tutors and career advisors will be on hand to help anyone who is unsure as to what to do next after GCSEs and can also provide advice on funding and other student support services.