Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) students are celebrating outstanding GCSE and Level 2 technical results.
The grades surpassed expectations and significantly exceeded targets despite the 150 Year 11 cohort spending a substantial part of the past two years studying online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Harvey Blackshaw, 16, achieved eight GCSEs including grade 9 in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Computer Science, as well as a Level 2 Distinction in Systems Control in Engineering.
He will now progress to Ron Dearing’s sixth form to study Physics, Maths, Further Maths and Engineering, following his ambitions of securing an engineering degree apprenticeship.
Harvey said: “I didn’t think I’d achieve these results because of so much online learning during the pandemic.
“But we have so many resources at Ron Dearing UTC and our great teachers have been so willing to help us every step of the way. I’m really looking forward to sixth form.”
Molly Warburton, 16, achieved six GCSEs including grade 6 in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Literature and Art, as well as a Level 2 Merit in Engineering.
She will now go on to study Biology, Chemistry and English at Ron Dearing’s sixth form.
Molly said: “I was so nervous about my results, especially Maths, but I’m very happy. I worked so hard to complete the higher papers in my science exams and I’ve had great support from the teachers.
“It’s brilliant that we have access to Employer Partners because it gives us an advantage and opens up a lot of opportunities. I really enjoy being a Ron Dearing UTC student and I’d like to go to university to study dentistry in the future.”
Lloyd Redshaw achieved seven GCSEs including grade 7 in Biology, Maths, English Language and Computer Science, as well as Level 2 Distinction in Systems Control in Engineering.
He will now go on to study Double A-level Biology and Systems Control in Engineering at Ron Dearing’s sixth form in September, as he aims to become a microbiologist in the future.
He said: “I want to work in developing vaccines and finding cures for illnesses in the future. Coming to Ron Dearing UTC is helping me with that because the focus on science is great.”
Francesca Wilkes-Oliver, 16, achieved eight GCSEs including Level 9 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as a Level 2 Distinction in Engineering Design.
She is staying at Ron Dearing UTC for her A-levels, and will study Physics, Maths, Biology and OCR Engineering.
Francesca said: “I was delighted and relieved when I opened my results. I’ve loved being at Ron Dearing so far and I’m really pleased to be staying on for A-levels.”