Students at Activate Learning’s City of Oxford College and University Centre are celebrating today after collecting their GCSE exam results.
95.2% of students taking full-time GCSE programmes or standalone maths and English GCSEs at City of Oxford College and University Centre’s City Centre Campus and Technology Campus in Blackbird Leys, achieved a pass in this year’s exams.
- 96.3% of students sitting their GCSE English passed
- 94.2% of students sitting their GCSE maths passed
Many of the college’s GCSE students are learners who resit maths, English or both, to continue in education or progress their career.
This includes mature students who need these GCSEs to progress in the workplace, learners who may have missed the chance to go to university and want to study at degree level, alongside part-time students who have studied GCSEs at evening classes.
Hannah O’Neill, Group Director of Academic Studies Faculty and City of Oxford College City Centre Campus at Activate Learning, said: “It takes great commitment to succeed in GCSE exams, from both learners and teachers. I would like to congratulate all learners on their achievements and wish them the best of luck in their subsequent endeavours. I also extend my thanks to our wonderful teachers and support staff, who work tirelessly to inspire and support every individual, with our Learning Philosophy consistently at the forefront of their practice.
“It is worth noting that our GCSE learners come to us for a multitude of reasons, but all display great courage in doing so. Whether they are adult learners returning to education to boost their confidence, skills or employment opportunities, or young people hoping to improve on what they achieved at school so they can reach their goals, every individual student deserves recognition for their commitment to learning. It is a pleasure for us to be a part of their journeys.”
Benjamin achieved a Grade 8 in his GCSE English Online programme via City of Oxford College and University Centre this year.
Benjamin said: “I am really pleased, and I’d definitely recommend studying your GCSEs online. It’s a necessary step to develop your career, which has been the case for me, and also helps you develop general life skills.
“As for the college, I would absolutely recommend them. The teaching was well planned and comprehensive, considering we only had a year to do it. They also have been incredibly helpful and communicative throughout the whole process. Not to mention that the course was even free.
“Thank you to my teachers for all of your help and good luck with your next cohort.”
Having secured his results, Benjamin will now go on to train to become a secondary maths teacher.
Christopher Dallosso, a full-time GCSE combined science pathway student at City of Oxford College and University Centre, is celebrating an outstanding set of results including Grades 9-9 in combined science, Grade 7 in statistics, Grade 7 in English and Grade 7 in maths.
Christopher said: “I’m really happy with my results, as they were better than I was expecting. I’m particularly pleased and surprised about getting Grades 9-9 in combined science, as I didn’t feel like they had gone that well, but getting two nines is a big achievement for me.
“I’m very grateful to the college for helping me achieve results better than I was hoping for. The atmosphere at the college was friendly and welcoming, and the teachers seemed happy to help, managed to cover all the topics in time and knew their subjects well.
“I would recommend the college to anyone wanting to retake or fit in GCSEs before continuing their academic journey.
“I would like to thank my teachers for getting me through the year. Antonio stood out as being particularly helpful and kind, as well as good at knowing how to explain things in a way that people would understand.
“Overall, I had a good experience at City of Oxford College, and it was a great place to do my GCSEs.”
Christopher will now go on to study A Levels in German, philosophy, psychology and film studies.
Andrew Morrey achieved a Grade 7 in his GCSE English standalone evening programme at City of Oxford College and University Centre this year.
Andrew said: “I’m feeling good and did better than expected. Something that it does drill home is the teaching was so engaging this time and that really helped me.
“I am currently working and this is attempt number three at the GCSE English, the last two being 18 years ago. I’m doing an apprenticeship via work, and you need the GCSE qualifications in order to do the apprenticeship.
“I’d absolutely recommend the evening class at City of Oxford College and University Centre. The tutor, Rebecca, was absolutely fantastic and a huge thank you to her.”
Having secured his GCSE grade, Andrew will now be able to progress and study his Level 7 Applied Data Analytics apprenticeship via his workplace.
Cheri Ashby, Deputy Chief Executive of Activate Learning, said: “At Activate Learning we have thousands of students receiving their GCSE English and maths results which will open so many opportunities for further study, employment, or career progression.
“Many of our students come to us each year often lacking in confidence and self-belief having not always achieved the grades they are capable of, and this is still particularly true of these learners who experienced massive disruption caused to their learning by the pandemic.
“Which is why I’m delighted to see that as a group we’ve see 576 of our learners improve on their previous grade in English and 642 learners improve on their grade in maths across our group of colleges.
“This year we had more learners coming to us at the lower end of the grade boundaries, who were in need of a grade 4 to progress onto their next opportunity. Through our dedicated approach to teaching and learning, where students receive wrap-around support from staff who work with them individually, building their confidence, developing their knowledge and skills through our Learning Philosophy-based teaching. This is then supplemented with a range of online and AI-assisted technology. Our unique approach to learning enables our students to flourish and achieve the grades to which they aspire.
“On behalf of our Educational Leadership Team, I would like to offer our thanks and appreciation to all our committed teachers and college staff on today’s GCSE achievement and wish our students the best of luck in the next stage of their journey at Activate Learning or beyond.”
City of Oxford College and University Centre offers part-time GCSEs in English and maths.
If a person doesn’t have the results they think they could have achieved, City of Oxford College and University Centre offers a one-year, full-time programmes for 16-19-year-olds who want to improve their GCSE grades.
Each programme is suited to a student’s level of grades and a range of subject choices are offered. You can find about the STEP, STEP UP and STRIVE GCSE programmes at City of Oxford College and University Centre on the college website.
City of Oxford College and University Centre also offers a wide range of A Level subjects, vocational programmes, Higher Education and apprenticeship opportunities.
This year, the college is providing information, advice and guidance via Clearing sessions at City of Oxford College and University Centre from GCSE Results Day, and throughout the end of August and September. Tutors and career advisers will be on hand to help anyone who is unsure as to what to do next after GCSEs and can also provide advice on funding and other student support services.