Another record year of A Level success at Cardiff and Vale College

Cardiff and Vale College is celebrating another record year of success with more students than ever before achieving their AS and A Level qualifications.

The number of Cardiff and Vale College learners who passed increased by 2%, while the number of learners achieving A to C grades was up by 4%. On A Level Results Day, CAVC celebrated 597 learners who achieved A* to C – 146 of them with A and A* grades.

The College saw more students sit A and AS Level exams than ever before and the results highlight its commitment to providing a high level of quality of A Level education.

The subjects Art and Design, Photography, English Language and Literature, Film, French, Religious Studies, Geography, Government and Politics, Sociology, Chemistry, Further Maths and Physics saw 100% of students pass. More than 75% of learners on Art and Design, Photography, English Language and Literature, Film, History and Economics gained grades of A* to C, while 100% of students studying French achieved A* to C.

CAVC Principal Kay Martin said: “It is always a real pleasure to celebrate our students on A Level Results Day as these young people embark upon the next chapter of their lives.

“Each year we see more and more Cardiff and Vale College students achieve their A Level and their AS qualifications. I am delighted that for so many people their hard work has paid off and they are now able to progress into further learning, university or employment.”

One example is Reduan Soroar, who gained A*s across the board in Biology, Psychology and Maths.

“I feel ecstatic!” Reduan said. “I didn’t think I’d do this well, I wanted to do better than last year so I started revising early. I’ve been stressing about this all summer because I thought I would just get Bs or something!

“I’m taking a gap year next year but I think will go down the Maths route after that. I’ve really enjoyed my time at the College – all of my teachers have been great.”

Lauren White achieved an A* in English Language, an A in Psychology and an A in Sociology and is going to King’s College, London, to study Psychology.

“It doesn’t feel right just now – I can’t believe it,” she said. “But I am very, very happy as I’ve always wanted to study Psychology and King’s was my first choice. It’s great and I loved my time at the College.”

Emma Hunsdon gained an A* in Sociology, an A in Business and an A in Welsh Baccalaureate.

“I’m just overwhelmed – this is a big shock,” Emma said. “I’ve been accepted to Bath University to study Business Management and it was my first choice.

“I never really had my heart set on university, but coming to the College changed my mind and now I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.”

Aled Williams said: “I got three As and a B and I am going to Birmingham to study Physics. Birmingham was my first choice so I am quite excited but I’m having a gap year first to look into business ideas because I am interested in the technology business.”

Having gained an A* in Media Studies, and A in Photography and a B in Welsh Baccalaureate, Poppy Hunt has secured a place studying Photography at the University of Arts in London.

“I’m so happy with my grades because I’m a perfectionist and these were just the grades I needed,” Poppy said. “I used to want to be a journalist but then I did Art at GCSE and that’s how I got into photography.

“I’m so excited! I will miss the College though as I have really enjoyed my time here.”

Cari Clark said: “I studied Photography, Media and English and gained A, A, B. I’m going to study Fashion Journalism at Epsom University for the Creative Arts.

“I came to the College as I loved the sense of freedom it gave when I visited. It was described as a good transition, a step between school and college, and it really has been that for me. I’ve liked the independence I’ve had and it has given the motivation to work hard and achieve.”

Adam Heit achieved a B in Business, a C in Politics and a D in Welsh Baccalaureate and will progress to Buckinghamshire New University to undertake pilot training.

“I started flight training when I was 14 and first sent solo at 16 then I gained my private pilot’s license at 17,” Adam explained. “I’ll be doing commercial flight training for air transport – this time next year I’ll be flying twin engine aircraft which is my life’s dream.

“I’ve loved my time at the College; it’s much better than school and my A Levels will really help – the Business course will be priceless for my career.”

CAVC Head of General Education Yusuf Ibrahim said: “At Cardiff and Vale College we have a real commitment to continually improve the quality of education for our students and these A Level results are a strong foundation on which to build. We have a number of subject areas where more than three quarters of learners secured A* to C grades and we had more learners than ever.”