Just buzzing! Sixth form students make the grade
ROCHDALE Sixth Form College was abuzz with excitement as hundreds of students collected their A-level results on Thursday morning.
The class of 2019 gathered together for one last time as they shared the fruits of their studies over the past two years.
For one student, Billal Iqbal (A*AA) it was a chance to say farewell to friends as he jets off to Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday after becoming the first student in the college’s history to gain a place at world leading MIT University.
Billal, who specialises in robotics, gained A grades in maths, physics and computer science and fought off hundreds of other applicants to gain a place in the USA.
Billal, 18, said: “I’m thrilled to bits.
“My sister saw a scheme for students from overseas to apply and I went for it.
“It meant a four-hour test, two other exams and a tough application process.
“I couldn’t have done it without my family.
“My dad said for him it’s like winning the lottery.
“I’m going to live on campus and my tuition fees will be paid by the university.”
Harry Tait, 19, has chosen an interesting career path after gaining three A*s in maths, physics and further maths as he intends to become one of the country’s youngest commercial pilots.
He said: “I’ve already got my pilot’s licence for a four-seater plane and I’m studying hard to get my commercial one. If all goes to plan I could be qualified by the time I’m 20.”
Harry was collecting his results with his girlfriend Molly Howarth (A*AA), who also got three As, and is off to study psychology at York University.
She said: “It’s exciting. I want eventually to work in the NHS as a clinical psychologist.”
Nikita Szostak (BBC), who picked up passes in media, film and computer science, has been offered a university apprenticeship and will go to Cambridge Anglia Ruskin College.
He said: “I will work for Astra Zeneca four days a week and go to uni one day. I’m looking forward to living in a shared student house and moving to Cambridge.”
Carson Holt (A*BC) and Jessica Morrell (A*AA) picked up their results together.
Carson is to enter an apprenticeship with Highways England, while Jessica is to study physiotherapy at Nottingham University.
Among others off to university are Joe Robinson, (A*A*A) who will study Geography at Durham, and Nitin Babu (AAA), who will go to Leeds to read aerospace engineering.
Olivia Murphy and Lucia Jones, both from Littleborough, were delighted with their grades.
Olivia (BBB) is looking for a job in commercial fashion and Lucia (ABB) intends to be a midwife.
“I’m going to the University of Manchester to study midwifery,” she said.
“I can’t think of a more satisfying job to do.”
College principal Richard Ronksley said the college had a attained a 99 per cent pass rate for A Levels.
He said: “I’m so pleased for the students. It’s their hard work and that of the staff and their parents which help them achieve this. We’ve formed a real community of learning at the college.”