Students at Gower College Swansea are celebrating a fantastic set of A Level and vocational Level 3 results.
The overall A Level pass rate this year is 99%, with 1220 separate exam entries. Of these passes, 42% are at grades A*-A, 70% are at A*-B and 87% are at A*-C.
A total of 236 A* grades were awarded to our A Level learners this year. This equates to 19% of our overall grades, 3% above the Welsh National Comparator for A*.
The overall pass rate at AS Level is 94%, with 67% of those passes being grades A - C and 49% being grades A - B. There were 1631 separate exam entries for AS.
The College’s vocational results are also strong this year, with 44% of Level 3 Extended Diploma students achieving at least one Distinction.
Over 1000 of our students will now progress to universities in September, including Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities across the UK.
“I think that the combination of students’ hard work and commitment together with the high quality of teaching and support available at the College – most of which was provided on a face to face basis throughout the past two years – is ultimately responsible for these excellent results,” says Principal Mark Jones.
“I’m particularly pleased to see the success within those top grades – with 64 students achieving straight A* grades across the board and 161 students achieving straight A*-A grades.
“It’s such an exciting time, with many of these learners now progressing onto top universities across the UK, into employment and apprenticeships.”
And for any students who are unsure what to do next after their results, Mark has the following advice:
“Come and talk to us! We have lots of staff at the College who can provide advice and guidance on potential next steps for individual learners. For example, we offer a range of higher education courses at our University Centre and at Sketty Hall Business School, and we also provide employability support to those who wish to enter the workplace following completion of their studies.”
Among the success stories this year are:
Benjamin Akintuyosi who achieved Distinctions for his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts and is now headed to RADA after an intensive application process which included four separate auditions.
Daniel Arthur (previously from Penyrheol Comprehensive School) who studied A Levels in biology, chemistry and history. As his studies progressed, he realised that his greatest love was definitely history and so – after achieving A* grades in all three subjects - he is now off to Warwick to study the subject.
Manon Bradbeer (previously from St John Baptist Church in Wales High School where she gained A grades at AS Level in art and design, English literature, history and religious studies). She then transferred to Gower College Swansea to study A Level Classical Civilisation in just one year. She did this very successfully, continuing with English literature and history and achieving A* grades in all three subjects. Manon will now complete a degree in classical studies at Exeter.
Megan Dangerfield (previously from Ysgol Bryngwyn School) has shown great determination and secured A* grades in biology, chemistry, geography and maths. Megan has realised that her greatest academic love is chemistry and she is now going to apply for September 2023 entry to study the subject at university.
Ffion Kett-White (previously Bishopston Comprehensive School) completed A Levels in biology (A*), mathematics (B) and geography (A*), supported by an AS in Chemistry. Ffion will now attend university in Bristol where she will complete a degree in geography, which will include time studying abroad.
Megan (Eve) Morgan (previously from Cwmtawe Community School) completed A Levels in mathematics (A*), biology (A*), and chemistry (A), supported by an A grade in AS Physics. She will now attend university in Bath to read for a degree in chemistry that will include the opportunity for completing an industrial placement.
Gianluca Rabaiotti (previously from Penyrheol Comprehensive School) completed A Levels in English language and literature (A*); government and politics (A); history (A*) and law (A*). Gianluca will now attend Jesus College, Oxford to complete a degree in history.
Jack Barnes (previously Birchgrove Comprehensive School) gained two A* grades and an A in his A Levels, where he studied chemistry, biology and psychology. He is now heading to Cardiff to study for a degree in dentistry.
Photos: Rob Melen