Well done to all those celebrating results day this week.
We have been catching up with some of our students to share their success...
Kirstie
Studying two GCSEs alongside the top up year of an education and training degree is no easy task.
But determined to achieve, Stockton Riverside College student Kirstie has worked hard to achieve the grades she needs to move into teacher training.
“These GCSEs were something I needed to continue with my professional development,” she said.
Today that commitment paid off as the 32-year-old from Billingham achieved a grade 4 in GCSE Biology and a 5 in GCSE English.
It means that Kirstie can now apply for a place on a School Centred Initial Teacher Training programme.
Currently working as a teaching assistant in a primary school, she said: “Being a teacher is something that I have always wanted to do; but work and life always seemed to get in the way.”
She knew that if she wanted to achieve her dream, she needed to fit in time to achieve those core qualifications.
Feeling the nerves when it came to opening the envelope, she said: “With your professional life on the line, you start to wonder if you are going to need a plan B.”
But getting the result she wanted, she said: “Maybe I need to have a bit more confidence in my ability.”
Tegan
There was a lot riding on today’s result for 19-year-old Tegan.
She needed her GCSE Maths to secure a place at university.
Having just missed out on the grade last year, she said: “I don’t think I could have looked at another grade 3!”
But there was no need to worry as the health and social care student achieved a fabulous grade 4.
Starting her maths studies at the college with a level 1 functional skills, alongside her full-time studies, the college’s interim programme area lead for maths and English, Paul Mundy, said her achievement is all the more special.
Tegan now hopes to study mental health nursing at either Teesside or Northumbria University.
Kayleigh
Ambitions to become a primary school teacher have moved a step closer for Kayleigh.
The 34-year-old from Stockton achieved a grade 4 in GCSE Maths today, which came as a welcome relief.
The qualification means she can now move on to the School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme.
A massive congratulations to Kayleigh.
Anisa
Learning online has proven a great boost for Anisa. The 30-year-old from Billingham today achieve a grade 5 in her GCSE Maths.
When asked why she chose to study with Stockton Riverside College, Anisa said: “I liked the fact it was online and that I could do the course from the comfort of my own home.”
Next steps for Anisa will be to complete a PGCE at Teesside University and she hopes to one day have a career working with SEN students.
Parnian
With ambitions to one day study architecture, Parnian is committed to her studies.
Today saw the 17-year-old ESOL student who is originally from Iran achieve the first step.
Picking up a grade 4 in GCSE Maths, she said: “It’s good because I came here one month after the course started.”
Able to catch up, she is delighted to have her first qualification here in the UK.
Developing her language skills, she said: “I need five GCSEs, so that is one done and four to go.”
Of her time at the college, so far, she said: “When I came here, I didn’t have any friends or really know the area. Now I have friends and have experienced so much.”
Emily
Health and social care student Emily is celebrating her own success today after completing the Level 2 in Health and Social Care and picking up certificates for her Functional Skills Maths. Now looking forward to continuing her studies and progressing to her level 3 at the college in September, she said: “I have enjoyed studying at the college and the opportunities it has given me.”
Alleisha
It’s third time lucky for Alleisha who is celebrating success after achieving a grade 4 in her maths GCSE.
When she opened her results to discover her hard work had paid off, the 17-year-old screamed with delight.
South Shields-born Alleisha admits that she chose to study at Stockton Riverside College as it was the closest college to her new home in Stockton. However, she has thoroughly enjoyed her time at the college and has made new friends and enjoyed the challenge of being taken out of her comfort zone.
With another year of study ahead of her until she completes her level 3 health and social care qualification, Alleisha is thinking about her next steps and aspires to study psychology at The University of Manchester.
