College principal praises students

‘I know some students have overcome huge barriers’

GCSE students have been praised for their fantastic performance after achieving results which will help them onto the next step in their education journey.

Jo Maher, principal and CEO of Loughborough College, said: “Our GCSE students have worked hard to achieve some brilliant results this year.

“I know some of our students have overcome huge barriers and personal challenges to achieve success in their studies and we’re incredibly proud of them.

“It is also a reflection on our wonderful staff who are passionate about delivering education which truly helps to shape the future of learners.

“Our focus now is on supporting students to enrol on courses which will help them open the next chapter in their educational journey.”

The college recorded a 99.9 per cent pass rate for GCSE English and Maths, with 46 per cent of students achieving grades 9-4 in English and 36 per cent achieving Grade 9-4 in maths.

In total, the college sent GCSE results to 909 students.

College student Warren Boothroyd is living proof of the old adage that hard work and perseverance pays off – and in the most spectacular way.

The 18-year-old, from Mountsorrel, achieved a Grade 9 in GCSE English after failing the course twice before. The result means he can now pursue his dream of becoming a journalist.

Warren said: “I’m not sure if it is real! I’m flabbergasted. I failed GCSE English twice in the past, but I’ve worked hard on my spelling and I can’t quite believe it, if I’m honest.”

Warren said he is now applying to sit a Level 3 BTEC in Media with an ambition to either study at university or get onto specialist journalism courses.

“I’ve recently started getting interested in politics and would love to write about it and get into the storytelling side,” he said.

“I just want to write about the things I’m passionate about and I think journalism would allow me to do that.”

He joined Loughborough College in 2018 and said he puts his success down to the support he’s had from his tutors and his determination to overcome his spelling challenge.

A Loughborough College lecturer has aced his Maths GCSE at the age of 59 - so he can better support students who struggle in the subject.

Norman Heighton, of Coalville, was thrilled to achieve a grade 9 in Maths which he will use to help learners in his day job as a maths lecturer at Loughborough College. He also achieved a grade 7 in GCSE English.

Norman said: “I’m well chuffed with my results. I couldn’t be happier. I feel like my hard work and determination has all paid off. I’m over the moon.

“Maths has always been my bag, so I have been supporting students to help them understand the subject. But I wanted to get better at it. That’s why I wanted to sit the qualification, so I have a better understanding of what’s new and could get better at supporting students.”