Day of excitement as students celebrate exam success

Students celebrated with joy and some relief as they returned tc college for one final time to open their A Level, BTEC and CTEC results.

As soon as the college opened at 9am its refectory welcomed a constant stream of students, some with friends others with families but all anxious to get the summer of waiting over.

It didn’t take long for the excited atmosphere to be punctuated by whoops and yells of delight as brown envelopes were torn open to reveal the outcome of two years’ hard work.

Executive Principal Andy Grant said staff enjoy sharing the occasion with students they have come to know well. “We’ve had wonderful scenes, tears of joy and excitable screams that come from a place of sheer elation,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see the students’ success on a day like today after years of dedication and commitment,” he said.

“There’s also a hint of sadness as today will likely be the last time we’ll have them on site. We’re just happy to be a part of their journey and it is days like today where it really hits home, with so many students going off to university and to move forward with their lives.”

Among the many stories of success was Tiana Uchemwa, who was delighted with a distinction in health and social care and psychology and a C in sociology. He will be going on to university in Brighton to study for a degree in mental health nursing.

He said: “I’m very happy with the results, but they are pretty much what I expected and I knew I would do well.”

Philip Ockenden, 18, got a Double Distinction and Distinction* in Uniformed Protective Services. “I am well chuffed with it,” he said. “I enjoyed my time at St Vincent, it was quite eventful and fun and I made lots of friends.”

He intends to go on and study to be a military police officer or as a military medic.

William King, 18, achieved a triple distinction in Uniformed Protective Services and is now planning to sign up as a Special Constable. “I’m very happy with the results, I worked hard all year long,” said the former Brune Park Community School pupil.

Katie Brett, 18, was delighted with a Distinction* in human biology and psychology and a B in criminology. “I’m very happy with that, it was more than I expected,” said Katie, who will be studying forensic investigation at Canterbury Christchurch University.

Emmanuel Aligbi, 20, was thrilled with a Distinction star in human biology, applied science and IT and a distinction in human biology. “I am really happy with the results, they are what I expected,” he said. “It has been really good studying at St Vincent.”

He will be studying software engineering at Kent University.

Amy Holloway, 18, passed with an A* in photography, an A in criminology and a C in sociology. “It’s not quite what I expected but it’s fine,” she said. She will be studying education studies at Winchester University.

Emily O’Brien, 19, achieved a Distinction in psychology and a D in sociology and will be studying psychology at Chichester University. “I got my first choice for university so I am happy,” she said.

Marcus Grundy, 18, was pleased with a Distinction and a Distinction Merit in Level 3 sport and physical activity. “I was expecting a bit lower, so it’s good news,” he said. He is going to study to become a secondary school PE teacher at Chichester University.

Matthew Wager, 21, was more than satisfied with a Distinction in psychology and law and B in criminology. He said: “They were the results I was hoping for, I’m going to study law at Portsmouth University.”

Mr Grant was delighted that 42.9 per cent of all students achieved A* to C grades in three or more subjects with 27.1 per cent achieving A* to B grades.

The college has continued to see excellent results in creative arts subjects with 100 per cent of students achieving A* to E in art and design contextual studies and 60 per cent achieving A* to B. In photography 100 per cent of students achieved A* to E, with 61.5 per cent achieving A* to B. In Graphics 100 per cent of students achieved A* to E.

The college is expanding its A Level offer this year to enable more young people across the region to benefit from high quality academic provision on their doorstep.

In BTEC Vocational Level 3 subjects 92 per cent of students achieved a Distinction* to Pass and 42 per cent came away with high grades in these subjects. In human biology, applied law, Esports, health and social care, music and music production, 100 per cent of students achieved a Distinction* to Pass. In IT at CTEC, 100 per cent of students achieved a Distinction* to Pass.

Mr Grant said the college is on hand to help any student who didn’t get the grades they were expecting. “We are very keen to support any student needing help with the university clearing process and they must not hesitate to get in touch with us over the coming days and weeks if they need to,” he said.

This story was originally published in August 2024 on this webpage.