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Star Grades for Local A-level Students

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Cornwall College Camborne A-level students and staff celebrated last Thursday (19th August) as students flocked to the College's A-level Centre to pick up their results.

With a change in the grading system nationally and the introduction of the coveted A* (star) grade this year both staff and students eagerly waited to see who would be the first to get the new grade.

They didn’t have to wait for long. By 8am Rebecca Rowley (18) from Camborne had opened her results to find an A* listed.

Rebecca, who needed an A, two Bs and a C to get into Loughborough University, gained an A* in Sociology, an A in Psychology, a B in Media, a C in Photography and in the Extended Project.

Her results have well and truly secured her place. A relieved Rebecca said: “I’m really happy. I’ve got into Loughborough! It’s one of the top universities in the country for the BSc in Communications & Media.”

Hot on Rebecca’s heels, Tom Freethy (18) from Penzance opened his results to see two A* grades.

With A*s in both Electronics and Physics plus an A in Further Maths and a B in Maths which he took as a fast track A-level in one year, Tom is now bound for Bath University and a four year MA in Mechanical and Electrical engineering. His achievement is well-deserved because he has dyslexia, so does not find it as easy to learn as his peers. He said: I’m really pleased with my results, it’s better than I expected.”

Tom’s mum and dad had come along too. Proud mum Janet said: We’re over the moon. Tom played the results down, especially the Physics. He has done really well, brilliant. Proud doesn’t come close, Bath is one of the top engineering universities in the country, so it’s brilliant he got in.”

A-level Electronics students proved to be outstandingly successful, with two A*s, one for Tom Freethy and one for Ryan Pascoe from Illogan, plus the entire group passed with grades from A* to C – one of 15 subjects with a 100 per cent pass rate.

Conor Maybrey from St Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly, who got an A in Electronics, said: “I’m pleased with my results, especially Electronics. The Electronics department here is outstanding, I’d never studied it before and I got an A, the tutors are excellent.”

Conor has secured his place to study Electronics and Electrical Engineering at the University of Plymouth.

Emma Heywood (22) from Falmouth took Sociology and World Development in a single year and secured A grades in each. She will be going to Cardiff to study Social Sciences. She said: It’s all down to my lecturers. They were so enthusiastic and it was infectious. I’d taken Sociology at another college but got a D, now I’ve got an A from studying here. I want to say a huge thanks to my lecturers, especially Gill Tonkin and Tia Hind.”

Stevie Kochnowicz (19) from Pool was hoping to get the grades needed to study Law at the University of Exeter at Tremough. Her results revealed an A and two Bs to secure her place. Stevie said: I’m ecstatic, I now know I’ve got in to the university I wanted and I’m really pleased with A and B grades, they’re really good results.”

Ruby Edwards-Harris (19) from Hayle is all set to study English at Bournemouth University, her results revealed A grades in English Language and Literature as well as Sociology and a B in Psychology.

Dave Linnell OBE, Principal of Cornwall College commented: "I am very proud of our students’ achievements. Their excellent results have contributed to a 100 per cent pass rate in 15 subjects; testament to the dedication of students and staff alike. I wish them the best of luck and I look forward to hearing from them in the future to see how they progress in their careers.

“For those who may not have done as well as they’d hoped, they must remember there are alternative options and our staff are here to help.”

Cornwall College still has clearing places available. A dedicated hotline is open, manned by the College’s specialist staff on 0845 22 32 567.

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