Buxton college students celebrate GCSE exam resit results after confidence blow of summer chaos

Buxton & Leek College students who were hit by last summer’s results farrago were finally able to celebrate as the results of their resit exams arrived in January.
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Those looking to improve the GCSE maths and English scores they had been awarded based on school predictions were able to sit exams in November, and the college saw a number of success stories.

Curriculum leader Alison Ivins said: “I am absolutely in awe of what our students have achieved. After a very difficult last academic year, many students started with us in September demoralised and lacking in confidence.

“To not achieve the pass they had hoped for was a real frustration for them, and left students wondering what their next steps would be to achieve their goals.”

Amy Lee, proudly displaying her grade four GCSE maths result, achieved with help from tutors at Buxton & Leek College.Amy Lee, proudly displaying her grade four GCSE maths result, achieved with help from tutors at Buxton & Leek College.
Amy Lee, proudly displaying her grade four GCSE maths result, achieved with help from tutors at Buxton & Leek College.

The college is highly regarded nationally for its GCSE maths and English results, and last year was shortlisted at the TES FE Awards for its outstanding resit provision.

Alison said: “In a short space of time, the English and maths team worked tirelessly with booster and revision sessions, plus one-to-one support for students to rebuild their skills.

“I am very proud of our tutors and students. It makes me immensely satisfied to know these students can put their GCSEs behind them and focus on their future goals.”

The college organised a video-link results day to deliver the good news. Among those celebrating was Amy Lee, from Buxton, who achieved a grade four pass in maths, having previously been “ready to give up”.

Bailey Salt said: “This result is going to be great for my career and job opportunities.”Bailey Salt said: “This result is going to be great for my career and job opportunities.”
Bailey Salt said: “This result is going to be great for my career and job opportunities.”

She said: “After last year’s grades, I lost all confidence. But when I started at the college, I immediately regained it. Lyndsey Mollison, my tutor helped me get back on track.

“I can’t believe I’ve upgraded 40-50 marks on my last exam, I can do anything now.”

Lauren Frith from Ashbourne also achieved grade four in Maths, while Bailey Salt from Leek scored grade five English.

Eve Hibbit, from Matlock, was doubly thrilled with maths grade four and English grade five.

Eve Hibbitt was full of praise for the college's "amazing" English and maths departments.Eve Hibbitt was full of praise for the college's "amazing" English and maths departments.
Eve Hibbitt was full of praise for the college's "amazing" English and maths departments.

Aisha Riley, from Bakewell said she ‘was proud of herself’ that she achieved a GCSE English grade six, after several previous attempts.

Her tutor Joe Lawler said: “To be knocked back three times and come back to score a six is remarkable. She is the definition of resilience.”

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