a-level advice:

‘I learned about business on an apprenticeship’

RESULTS day for A-level students is here - and for many youngsters the fear of failing is all too real.

At the time it feels like your entire future is decided by a simple slip of paper. And for many teens it is one of the most significant days of their life so far. But, sadly, exams don’t always go to plan and there is bound to be as many students left disappointed as ecstatic today.

However, we spoke to people who didn’t get the results they wanted but still went on to carve their own paths in successful careers. OLLIE Potts, 25, co-founder of technology firm Synextra.

“I didn’t actually get any A-Levels. I got an A,D,E and a U in my AS Levels and didn’t continue beyond that.

“I wasn’t very academic and didn’t like revision.

“But I’ve always been a very practical person and had a real interest in technology.

“I fought for a place at the first National Enterprise Academy (now called PJEA) in the North West and received a BTEC in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.

“Shortly after completing that, I got a job working for Metronet UK Manchester based business rivalling BT - and learned the business from the ground up.

“I left there after three-and-a-half years and then co-founded Synextra with fellow colleague Chris Piggott.

“My main interest is technology and technology moves far quicker than any college or degree course.

“What I have shown is if you have got a desire to achieve and work hard, you can achieve anything.

“Sometimes an A-level is not the perfect measurement of a person’s aptitude.”