Students full of progress and thanks on GCSE results day 

Students from across the college’s curriculum, including those returning to learning, met on campus with families and their tutors to find out their results together. 

Gabriel is over the moon to have passed his English and maths GCSEs, “I’ve been at college for two years, and when I started I struggled to sit in the classroom and concentrate with English and maths. But when I went to the construction Skills Hub at Staveley, it all changed. When I got some really high-level support with Jed, my tutor, everything just flew. He gave me loads of support one-to-one. I never thought I’d be able to pass my maths until I did one sample test paper and I thought, I can actually do this. And now, after putting the hard work in and the support from my tutors, I’ve now done what I thought I could never do. I’ve passed. 

GCSEs are very important because you can be really good at a trade or skill like bricklaying, but apprenticeship opportunities also look for your GCSEs as well. With the help of Chesterfield College, I’ve managed to smash it. I never thought I’d be able to pass. It’s just incredible.” 

After returning to learning, Mark achieved his maths GCSE with a grade five, “Well, it’s been far better training than my experience at school. It just felt a lot easier. To do it when you’re old, you want to do it. Also, the teaching methods seem to have got a lot better. I’d certainly tell anyone considering returning to GCSE learning, just give it a go and don’t feel any pressure. I’m now looking to get into teaching or assessing, something like that.” 

Tulisa achieved a grade five in English, “I just want to say thank you to the tutors at college who have helped me really. I mean, in school I never really got help, and I feel like I got more help here; I feel more comfortable. Eventually I want to own my own salon, but now I’m going to try and get a job in hairdressing to start with.”