Following the return of pre-COVID grading students at Wigan and Leigh College have been nervously waiting for their A level results. Today the wait was over and not only did they achieve above national averages, their grades were stronger than those achieved nationally during the COVID years.

This impressive performance saw A level students achieve a 100% pass rate and 77% high grades placing them firmly on the right path to their chosen university or degree apprenticeship.

A Level student Tim Graber achieved A*in Psychology, A in Maths and a C in Physics. He will be progressing to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Salford.

"I'm very happy with my results and I have enjoyed my time at college. My tutors 1-1 support really helped improve my revision skills and this helped me get the grades I wanted,” said Timothy.

Fellow A Level student, Jacob Murtagh achieved an A in Economics, and a B in English Literature as well as a Distinction in BTEC Extended Certificate in Business.

The former St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School pupil did better than he expected and is looking to study Economics at The University of Liverpool. He has career ambitions of becoming an investment banker.

Their success was mirrored by the first Year A level students, where at Wigan and Leigh they have the opportunity to take AS exams. Gaining qualifications across 4 subjects the students can now use their performance to strengthen their university applications for September’24.

AS student, Esther Ndongala was delighted with her results - Maths A, Physics A, English Literature A.

The former pupil said: "I am happy to meet my expected grades as I can use these to support my university applications next year." She has a career ambition of becoming a researcher (Cosmology).

Also eagerly awaited were the results for the advanced technical qualifications such as BTEC and T levels.

T levels are the Government’s new technical flag-ship qualifications and equivalent to 3 A levels they include not only examination but a substantial work placement of 45 days. These are the first T levels results the college has received and the students achieved 100% pass rate. 83% of the cohort achieved high grades and many achieved Distinction grades, equivalent to 3 As at A level. AS

T Level Civil Engineering student, Ryan Hupton, formerly of The Westleigh School achieved a Distinction grade and will progress to a lucrative degree apprenticeship with leading structural steel engineering group, William Hare.

Students studying BTEC courses made sure they were out done and similarly achieved outstanding pass rates and grades. Former Holy Cross RC High School pupil, Gilbert Woods achieved Distinction Star, Distinction Star and Distinction in BTEC Level 3 Mechanical Engineering. He has a choice of university’s and will progress to a degree that will keep him on track to fulfil his ambition of becoming a motorsport engineer in Formula 1.

BTEC Level 3 Sport student, Ella Ozdemir achieved Distinction Star, Distinction Star and Distinction. The former The Westleigh pupil said:

“I am over the moon with my results, I couldn’t be happier! I’m more than excited to start Edge Hill University in September studying physical education and school sport. I’d like to thank college and especially the sports department on helping me achieve these grades by giving me the specific tools, resources and guidance needed, they have also given me the perseverance and motivation with my exams and coursework too.”

Principal, Anna Dawe said:

‘We were nervous for the results this year. We expected national A level attainment to be lower and our T level students were our very first completing cohort. Therefore this year’s achievements are extra special. Our students have worked so hard and it has positioned them well for their next steps at a time when the competition for university places and degree apprentices is so high. They have outstripped our expectations - we are so very proud of them.’