A momentous day arrived on Thursday 17th August 2023 as Derby College Group (DCG) students in Ilkeston and Morley and across other sites, came together to collect their highly anticipated A-Level and T-Level results. This year's cohort has shown exceptional dedication and worked extremely hard to achieve their results.
Of note, The Education and Early Years T Level Programme achieved 100% Merit or above. This year, 22 A Level subjects have achieved a 100% pass rate and 99% of T Level students passed. Students have had the opportunity to study the widest range of A-levels ever and the college has expanded its T-level offering to align with local employment opportunities.
Derby College Group’s Assistant Principal for Academic Education, Matt Ridgill said: "We are immensely proud of our students for their unwavering commitment to their studies. Today is a celebration not only of academic achievement, but also of personal growth and resilience.
“These results are especially good considering that a level of support, brought in during the pandemic, has been removed. When compared with our 2019 results, our A*- A grades have increased by 91%, A*- B have increased by 27% and A*- C by 14%.
“We have maintained the high expectations of students and we pride ourselves in the level of wide-ranging practical and emotional support we offer to our students, which helped ensure that they were exam-ready.
“These results not only reflect their academic prowess but also their growth as individuals. As they step into the next phase of their lives, we are confident that they are equipped with the skills and determination to succeed in their chosen paths. Early indications are that a good majority of our students will now be heading off to university.
"Our team of teaching and support staff will be on hand to support anyone who needs additional advice and guidance to help them make decisions on their next steps.
"It is important for everyone collecting their results to understand that there is a wide range of options still open to them. We therefore have information available for students about apprenticeships, clearing and the College's Higher Education study programmes.”
Deputy Principal Kate Martin continued: “The success of our T Level cohort is testament to the robust frameworks of these qualifications which have been co-designed and co-delivered by a wide range of employers and these companies have played a vital role in the success of these students. 81% of T-Level students achieved the highest grades, equivalent to 3 As or 3 Bs at A-level.”
Derby College was one of the first providers to offer T-Level qualifications to students in 2020. T Levels are 16 to 19 qualifications, broadly equivalent in size to three A levels, that focus on technical and vocational skills. They can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships.
T Level students spend 80% of the course in their learning environment, gaining the skills that employers need. The other 20% is a meaningful industry placement, where they put these skills into action.
T Level students have either secured jobs, higher apprenticeships or university places following their study programmes and college officials look forward to tracking their progress throughout their future careers.
BTEC and other Level 3 vocational and technical qualification results are also very strong and these students will now be progressing to their first choice university or into the world of work.
For more information about the academic, vocational and technical study programmes available at Derby College, please visit www.derby-college.ac.uk