Dudley Sixth College students are once more celebrating their A level results, with a 100% overall pass rate in all 31 A level subjects offered at the college. But even more impressively 61.2% of all entries were achieved at high grades (A* -B).

Dudley Sixth students began their celebrations at midnight when their places at university, were confirmed under the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) Tracker system but then had a sleepless night until they could collect their individual grades at 8am.

The national picture suggests there has been a fall in the total number of learners who have secured top grades, as this is the first-year students have sat examinations since the start of the pandemic. But Dudley Sixth students have outperformed their peers not only with so many students achieving high grades but by 84% of entries securing A* – C grades.

Celebrating with learners today College Chief Executive and Principal Neil Thomas said.

“I could not be prouder of Dudley Sixth learners. I am delighted that the high grades they have achieved demonstrates the hard work that they have put into their studies over the last two years has paid off. For most of these learners this is the first set of formal examinations they have ever sat. Every one of our students who has contributed to these amazing results, will tell you A levels are very demanding requiring a breadth and a depth of knowledge in each subject. So, I’m pleased that with the support of our staff, so many of them have achieved the grades they needed to secure their places at university, or on higher Apprenticeship program with us.”

Acknowledging this year’s results have seen a 9-percentage point increase on 2018-2019 data, which was the last year of formal examinations he added:

“I’m delighted that this year’s results are reflecting the upward trend in high grades that the college has been demonstrating year after year since 2016.  There is talk of Eaton coming to Dudley, and I’d ask why? These results demonstrate learners in the borough already have access to exceptional teaching and learning, which allows them to fulfil their potential.”

Marco Longhi MP for Dudley North also joined in the celebrations acknowledging the commitment of the students saying:

“I’m full of praise for the students and the hard work they have clearly put in. This will stand them in good stead in years to come. My experience is the harder you work the better you do in life. I want to thank the staff of Dudley Sixth in supporting the students with these incredible results, as learners returned to their studies post Covid.”    

Individual outstanding success stories include Thomas Hickman, (aged 18) who achieved four A* grades in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics.  Commenting on his time at college Thomas said:

“I found the environment at college incredibly supportive – tutors were very helpful, and my classmates and I liked the degree of freedom I had to manage my own learning. I’d encourage anyone to study A levels at college although I’d tell them not to underestimate the amount of work involved.

Thomas who is an ex-Beacon Hill Academy student now plans to go to the University of Warwick to study for a degree in Mathematics, with the ambition of pursuing a career in Finance.

Head of Dudley Sixth Horace Dennis who oversees Dudley Sixth’s A level programmes said:
“We have shown that we are able to nurture young people and bring the best out of them in their educational attainment. As Head of Dudley Sixth, it’s great to see students doing well in all subject areas across Sciences, Arts and Social Science programmes. We have some strong performances this year for instance in A level Law 11 of our 21 students achieved A* or A grades.”

Lilli Goodyear (aged 18) and Josiah Blackwood-Fields (aged 18) will both be going on to university places after obtaining a clutch of high grades. With Lilli obtaining: Psychology – A*, PE–A*, and Biology – A* allowing her to move to the University of Exeter to study History. Whilst Josiah will take up a place at the University of Liverpool to study International Business after achieving an A grade in Business Studies and B grades in Film Studies and Geography. Commenting on his experience at college Joshia said:

“It was great to be able to be back in the classroom after having to study alone at home. In-person learning and the support I received made the journey so much easier.” Dudley College is currently taking applications for September admission in A Level and vocational subject. Higher education courses are also available at the college.  Students who are interested in joining should telephone 0800 783 6095 for further information or visit www.dudleycol.ac.uk