New College has seen its A-level pass rate increase as the number of students taking the exams grows.

Hundreds of teenagers gathered at the Queens Drive campus on Thursday morning to see if they got the grades they were hoping for.

The overall pass rate across all subjects went up by four per cent to 93 per cent, while the number of students taking A Levels went up by 12 per cent and the college saw an overall pass rate of 95 per cent in its Level 3 BTECs and T-levels.

Evie Moon received two Bs and a C and is going on to study Criminology at Cardiff Metropolitan University. She said: “I was very nervous about getting the grades I needed for uni.

“I’m very excited and relieved and happy. I liked studying here, I liked my classes and the teachers and people I was with.”

Her mum and dad added: “We are very proud of her. You get out what you put in and all that effort has paid off.

“She has what she needs to take that next step, which is great.

“We always had confidence in her but it’s still a bit nerve wracking waiting for this point to know it’s all good.

“We’re going for a celebratory lunch and then she’s going out for drinks with friends.”

Kelly Northcott achieved an A in Product Design and two Cs in her other subjects.

She said: “I was nervous and worried before but I’m happy now. I’ve done a lot better than I thought I was going to.

“I’m going to do an apprenticeship next - I’m not sure what yet, I’ll have a look around, I don’t know what I want to do for a career yet.

“I want to find something I enjoy, something creative.

“I really enjoyed studying here, my teachers were really nice. Everyone’s been really happy this morning, the college has done a good job of organising this.”

New College Swindon staff enjoyed seeing all the smiling faces of their students, who stopped the grab a GlamoRose cupcake or Pippins doughnut on the way in and out of the campus.

Over 57 per cent of the grades achieved were A* - C and 15 subject areas had a 100 percent pass rate. 

Kaitlyn Ingram said: “New College Swindon was so supportive during my learning journey, they were always challenging me and coming up with ideas to improve my grades and develop myself as a person.” 

New College Swindon staff enjoyed seeing all the smiling faces of their students, who stopped the grab a GlamoRose cupcake or Pippins doughnut on the way in and out of the campus.

Leah Palmer, principal and CEO, said:  “Results day is always anxiously anticipated as it is a culmination of our learners’ significant hard work, endeavour, and resilience. I am extremely proud of the results our learners have achieved this year.”

A high number of students will gain university places, with 83 per cent of students holding firm offers through UCAS. 409 of these received their first-choice university and 31 are set to go to a Russell Group university. 

Jacob Ryan, who gained A A*A*in Chemistry, Maths, and Physics and joins Imperial College London after taking a gap year, said:“I am so pleased, I had the three best lecturers I could have. The teachers really care about the students here.”

Nearly half of all T Level students achieved a Merit or Distinction and entries trebled for 2024 from 93 to 322. 

Vice principal Matthew Butcher spoke about the growing interest in T-levels which had proven popular at the college.

He said: “We've had 100 students this year, 300 will get their results next year, and we expect to have 450 starting the two-year course in September.

"T Levels have really taken off in Swindon and most of the students that start the courses finish them, unlike what’s been reported in some parts of the country.

“They are all very vocational and include a 90-day work placement so the students get more hands-on and put into practice what they learned in lessons.

"T Levels open lots of doors for students and help them test if the subject is what they want to do and narrow down where they want to be – and for an employer, it's like a really long job interview.

"We have really loved having these students and wanted to see them off in style, so we committed to celebrating this milestone in students’ lives.”