From those completing their vocational qualifications to students picking up all-important GCSE grades, and a whopping 100% T Level pass rate, results days offered plenty of reason to celebrate here at Stockton Riverside College.
On hand to capture the moment, we caught up with some of our learners to find out what success means for them.
MAYA
A bright future is on the cards for art and design student Maya who, originally from Canada, has had a busy year at the college.
The 17-year-old not only completed her Level 2 in Art and Design with a distinction but also studied GCSE Maths and English, picking up impressive grades 5 and 6 respectively.
“I feel very proud of myself,” said Maya. “It feels like I have squeezed a lot in to a small amount of time.”
Now heading back to high school in Canada, of her time at Stockton Riverside College, she said: “It has been phenomenal, I have loved it. I am very much going to miss it.”
ALAG
A grade 4 in GCSE Maths came as a relief to Alag.
Originally from Sudan and now living in Middlesbrough, the 20-year-old, whose first language is Arabic, said: “I am so pleased I don’t know what to say. I didn’t think I would pass as I felt like I struggled, even though I love maths, and I am usually good at it.”
Now moving on to her GCSE in English and hoping to study an Access to Higher Education in Health course, of her result today, she said: “I can’t believe it.”
ALAN
Performing arts acting student Alan also exceeded his expectations, achieving an impressive grade 8 in his GCSE English at Stockton Riverside College.
“I wasn’t expecting that for sure,” said the 19-year-old who came to the UK from Ukraine.
After a jam-packed two years at the college that has seen him pen his own script and perform at the National Theatre in London, he added: “I have no words to express how I am feeling right now. I feel proud of myself as I have worked hard. This feels like the perfect end for a new beginning.”
LILLY-MAY
It’s taken commitment and a whole lot of dedication for Stockton Riverside College student Lilly-May to get that all-important grade.
But it was fourth time lucky for the 17-year-old from Stockton who finally achieved her grade 4 in GCSE Maths.
She joked: “Letters and numbers don’t belong together.”
First missing out on the grade at school, Lilly-May tried again in November and then for a third time at the start of the year.
She said: “After failing the first attempt you start to give up.”
Mum, Sam, added: “There’s been a lot of book throwing, but we have got there in the end. She has worked so hard, and it has been worth it.”
Also studying her level 2 qualification in health and social care at the college, this means Lilly-May can now progress to her level 3 and hopefully on to university.
SAID
Picking up his first ever certificates was no doubt a special moment for Said.
The 17-year-old, who is originally from Afghanistan, achieved entry level qualifications in maths and English for speakers of other languages at the college.
Now living in Stockton, he said: “I am very happy.”
And cheering him on from the sidelines, foster carer Dawn added: “Not having had any formal schooling Said has done extremely well. I am very proud.”