Fantastic GCSE results

Bedford College has the largest sixth form in the county, and offers GCSEs as well as AS/A2 Levels to those aged 16+.

Here are just some of the many student successes this year:

Yau:Ka Chun, aged 18, came to this country from Hong Kong in July last year and now lives in Biggleswade. He spoke just a little English when he arrived and his results at GCSE show how hard he has worked. He achieved grade A* in Maths, B in Religious Studies, and Cs in English, General Studies and Applied Science, as well as an A in AS Level Chinese.

He said: "The lecturers and tutors were very supportive and I like the friendly atmosphere here."

Yau:Ka plans to study A Level in Maths and Science subjects at Bedford College before going on to university and a career in the science field.

Corran Sharpe, 21, attended Bedford College whilst living in London.  He was encouraged to join Bedford College by his aunt Juliet (pictured with Corran, top left), who has just gained a place at Cambridge University after excellent A Level results.  

Corran achieved GCSE grade Cs in Sociology, Psychology, General Studies and Religious Education and Ds in Maths and English and said:

"I didn't think I'd make it through the year. Teachers had always been enemies rather than allies. I turned my life around by coming to Bedford College."

Corran will now join the BTEC course in Business and Finance at Bedford College.

Corran's aunt, Juliet Sharpe, has always been determined to succeed and her dedication to her studies has paid off as she has been offered a place at the University of Cambridge.

Juliet lives in London and joined Bedford College as it was the only college offering Geography, Geology and Archaeology, her chosen A Level subjects. Travelling from her home each day meant early morning starts and a long drive to Bedford. 

With three grade As in A Level Geography and Environmental Science, and AS Level Geology, as well as a B in Archaeology and an A in GCSE Maths, Juliet is now on her way to the University of Cambridge, Lucy Cavendish College, to study BA Geography.

Juliet said: “As a mature student of 39 years, Bedford College has catered for my needs and made me feel very welcome. The lecturers and tutors helped me from stage to stage to plan for each subject. The support system here is fantastic.”

Naomi Sayers, aged 17, of Ampthill, is now on the right track to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse, following her studies with Bedford College. Naomi achieved a B in Religious Studies, Cs in Sociology, Media Studies, English, and General Studies and a D in Maths.

Naomi will now study Health and Social Care at Bedford College for the next two years and says:

"School would not allow me into the Sixth Form because my GCSE results were not good enough. Bedford College gave me a chance and accepted me so that I could retake my GCSEs. They gave me the fresh start I needed so that I can go on to become a nurse. Without Bedford College I could not have achieved that."

Christine Kupeta, aged 17, travelled to Bedford College from Luton so that she could study the subjects she wanted.

She achieved an A in Religious Education, and Cs in Law, English, General Studies, Applied Science and Maths and now plans to stay on at Bedford College to study A Levels.

Sonia Bott, aged 18, of Kempston, gained an A in Religious Education, and Cs in Sociology, Media, English, General Studies, Maths and Psychology. She plans to continue her studies with Bedford College for A Levels or Travel & Tourism.

Lucy Royal, aged 18, of Bedford, worked full time in a cafe before joining Bedford College in September 2008. She has gained an A in General Studies, Bs in Sociology, English, and Religious Education and Cs in Psycholoogy and Maths.  

She plans to continue her studies with Bedford College, taking A Levels and Travel & Tourism, with the aim of one day working for an airline as a cabin crew member.