Smiles and relief after grades row
EDUCATION and Childcare star Tierney Grieves has described the practitioner job she has walked straight into from Accrington and Rossendale College as “absolutely brilliant”.
Tierney, from Haslingden, is now working full time at Green House Farm Nursery – having gained an A grade in her Education and Childcare Diploma.
Tierney, formerly of Haslingden High School, said: “I’m loving my job, it’s absolutely brilliant. I enjoy the interaction with children and it’s a great place to work.
“I’m very happy to receive my results – the qualification I have achieved on my course has put me in the right direction to follow my dreams in childcare as a qualified practitioner.
“I really enjoyed my time at Accrington and Rossendale College too, as I have been able to learn new skills, create amazing friendships and I had the best tutors to help guide me and support me along my journey.”
CREATIVE Media Production student Luke Moffat achieved Distinction* and Double Distinction at Accrington & Rossendale College and is progressing to Edge Hill University to study Film and Television Production.
Luke, 17, formerly of Haslingden High School, said: “The qualification shows that I am suited to media, and as I advance through my education, I will be able to specialise in the industry and I hope to one day become a producer.”
ABIGAIL Hall picked up an A in Product
Design, A in Art & Design and C in Maths, and gained herself a place on her ideal degree course, studying Product Design Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University.
She said: “I’m so pleased. Following university, I hope to go into teaching product design or gain a role in industry – designing products for Apple would be my ideal job!’
Abi joined ag6 in Rawtenstall from Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School. She was awarded an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship upon joining the sixth form, and also studied for an additional ‘Design, Engineer, Construct’ course. She hopes to be an inspiration for all other young aspiring female engineers.
SCIENCE and Maths whizz Robert Witts is moving from his parents’ home in Bacup to Cambridge University thanks to some incredible A-Level results at Alder Grange.
The former Rossendale School pupil, 18, attained an outstanding three A*s Physics, Further Maths and Law.
He said: “All I know right now is I want to do Maths – I love the problem-solving aspect to it. Maths is factual, and there is an answer to every equation, which is why I think I’m drawn to it. I’ve made some amazing friends here, and I know the support I’ve received from the staff has been integral to my success.”
Robert enjoys karate and has used the coronavirus lockdown as an opportunity to hone his skills.
OWEN Lees achieved an A* and two As in Maths, Biology and
Chemistry A-Levels respectively at Alder Grange. Following these excellent results, Owen’s taking a gap year to work and consider his options.
“My dream job is actually to be a songwriter and performer. I’m bassist in an indie band set up with my friends called ‘The Exasperators’. Or, Plan B - I might decide to take up a science course at university and develop a future career in that area,” he said.
WORLD-CLASS fell runner Matthew Mackay, from ag6, crossed the finish line with three Bs in his Biology, PE and Product Design A-Levels.
He said: “I’m confident these are the grades I would have got had I done the exams, but I didn’t do as well as I’d hoped in my mock exams, and wasn’t sure if that would affect my predicted grades. So I’m quite surprised - and happy too.”
The Rossendale Harrier represents Great Britain in competitions and - ranked fourth in the world in his age category - is dreaming of further study in the US.
“I’ve been offered a place on a Sports Science course at Boise State University in Idaho,” he said. “Due to the Covid situation I’ve deferred that for a year, but I can’t wait to get out there.”
FAYE Sandiford is celebrating achieving the grades she needs to study for a Sport and Exercise Science degree at Edge Hill University.
The ag6 student achieved a Distinction* BTEC in Sport and an A in A-Level Psychology.
“My brother is also at Edge Hill on the same course. I’ll be in the year below him,” she said.
“Obviously, we get on really well and we’re into the same things. So I’m really pleased to be joining him.”
BEN Lee, president of Alder Grange Sixth Form, gained perfect A* in Maths, Chemistry and Physics A-Levels.
He’ll progress on to Lancaster University to study a Masters in General Engineering.
“I wasn’t expecting this,” he admitted. “Because of the situation this year I’d prepared myself for the worst. I’m surprised and pleased to do so well. It’s certainly a relief.
“I put so much into my A-Levels, in fact I’ve been working hard since studying for my GCSEs and not stopped since then.”
Following university, Ben, who is also part of the sixth form football team, plans to develop an engineering career in industry.
WITH her debut novel already published and selling on Amazon, Victoria Atkin, 18, was awarded three Cs in English Literature, English Language and Creative Media, setting her on course towards her dream career as an author.
“I’ve been accepted to study Creative Writing at Salford University – the course will help me develop my skills and refine my style as an author, and Salford is known for being a creative place where independent artists thrive,” Victoria said.
“I’ve been writing books my whole life – my first fiction book, ‘The Stone Effect’ has already sold 50 copies on Amazon.”
The former Valley
Leadership Academy pupil has already had a taste of fame with numerous news reports and radio interviews about ‘The Stone Effect’ already under her belt.
ALDER Grange’s Farah Mahmood, 18, is over the moon after achieving an A* in Psychology, and As in Sociology and Law at A-Level.
“I’m going to Manchester Metropolitan
University to study Psychological Therapy and Counselling in September which I’m incredibly excited about,” Farah said.
“I’ve always liked helping people, and I think now more than ever it’s our mental health we need to be looking after.
“One good counselling session can be the difference between life and death for many people, and I want to be
there to make sure no-one feels like they’re alone.”
Farah joined the Student Union, where she played an integral part in organising fundraisers for various charities and working with other students to make a real change in the sixth form.
MOLLY Cardy, 18, was pleasantly surprised with As in A-Level Geography and AS Maths, an A* in Psychology, at A-Level, plus a Distinction in her Business BTEC.
Molly, from Loveclough, is leaving academia behind to pursue more “hands-on” experience in the world of work.
The ag6 student said: “I’m really glad and relieved about my results. Some are what I expected, and some are better, which is great.”
In Molly’s spare time, she looks after her rescue retriever Sally and has a Saturday job at a local sandwich shop.
Accrington & Rossendale College results were received before Monday’s government statement on grade revisions. Some students nationwide may receive higher grades.