Teesside students achieve high grades after two difficult study years

At Middlesbrough College delighted students picked up their results today; which gave the college an overall A-Level pass rate of 99 per cent, with 82 per cent achieving A*-C grades.

The standout results across Teesside include the student trio Connor Starsmore, Joe Palmer and Marc Smith who all got distinctions on their electrical engineering course are now moving on to work at British Steel.

Their impressive results and high grades secured their apprenticeship with the company.

They started their course back in September of 2019 and have studied through all three lockdowns, which proved a real challenge.

Mr Palmer said: “I think we all found it difficult, especially in the first lockdown because it was all new, we didn’t know what was going on, how our lessons would work and whether we could actually do a lot of the work.

“However, it all worked out in the end, we got used to it, and by the time the second and third lockdowns came we knew what we were doing and just focused on getting the best grades.”

Mr Smith added: “During the last two years I would say we were out of college at home more than in college, yet we have still got great results today.

“We worked hard at home, we got through the distractions and now we are set on the apprenticeship.

“I am really looking forward to starting and getting hands on in the industry.”

Mr Palmer will now head to the British Steel plant at Redcar while Mr Starsmore and Mr Smith are off to the Skinningrove plant.

Another Middlesbrough College success story is Sam Young.

Mr Young has secured a place at Durham University to study Physics and Astronomy, having achieved three A* in Maths, Chemistry and Physics.

Mr Young who will be the first person in his family to go to university, said: “I was so nervous waiting for my results, but nothing prepares you for that feeling of achieving your dream grades.

“I was thinking is that an actual A* or is there something on my glasses.

“From my first day here, I knew this was the place for me. Every aspect of my time at the college has been incredible and my tutors, have been brilliant. I couldn’t have imagined anyone better and my grades are a reflection of them if anything.”

Another fantastic result came from Dylan Westgarth who studied at Bede Sixth Form, Billingham.

Mr Westgarth, from Billingham, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia aged 15.

He has learnt to live with frequent hospital stays and treatment.

With the global pandemic Mr Westgarth was in the high-risk category which meant extensive periods of shielding.

Mr Westgarth prevailed and achieved what he needs to secure his place to study professional policing at Coventry University Scarborough with the hope to one day join the police service.

The public services course at the college give him the foundations for a future career in the police.

Reflecting on the last year, it’s been a mixed bag for Mr Westgarth, but getting to ring the bell to mark the end of his treatment was definitely a highlight, along with his results day.