Record A Level Success For Guildford College Students

Former Mayor of Guildford Jennifer Jordan was among a bumper crop of Guildford College A Level students whose hard worked paid off in A grades. The A2 pass rate at the College was up from 97 per cent last year to a record 98.6 per cent.

Cllr Jordan, 68, of Stoughton got her A in psychology. When she retired from her job as a geography teacher at George Abbot School at 60 she decided to do a course a year, which has included a number of GCSEs and A Levels. “I decided to study in later life to prove that I could still use the ‘grey matter’ and you’re never too old to learn something new,” said Cllr Jordan. “I really enjoyed the course and the tutors were brilliant.”

Cllr Jordan was Mayor of Guildford two years ago and is actively involved with the charities Canterbury Care Centre and TALK Stroke and keeps fit at the gym. “I have decided to have a ‘gap year’ next year and go travelling to New Zealand but intend to come back to college to study for an A level in anthropology,” she said.

Subash Pun, a 27 year-old Guildford College student, has been accepted at the prestigious Cass Business School  to study Actuarial Science after gaining an A* in Maths and A’s in Further Maths and Accounting.

The young man from Aldershot, whose father is an ex-Ghurka, was especially thrilled with his success because he had “lost his way and was struggling” in the years between doing his GCSEs and enrolling at Guildford College. “I had not done anything for a long time and I felt like a loser,” he said. “At first I found studying difficult but as I progressed and started to do better it gave me confidence and I kept on improving. Now I feel as if everything has opened up for me.”

A dream of becoming a doctor is now in reach for Guildford College A Level student Melissa Hart, 18, of Woking, who opened her envelope yesterday to find the straight As in Biology, Chemistry and Maths that she needed.

“I feel fantastic,” she said. “I’m so relieved it’s all over and has worked out, especially since I wasn’t completely sure after a difficult maths exam.”  Melissa, who is originally from New Zealand, was home educated by her parents, following the American curriculum, until 2009. She chose Guildford College for its flexible approach when it came to A Levels as she wanted to attend college part-time and also study from home so she could fit in other commitments.

Melissa, who is a talented violinist, is now off to work with HIV patients in Kenya through International Volunteer HQ and hopes to gain a place at medical school in 2012.

“The A Level results at Guildford College this year are fantastic; not only are they above the national average, but are one of the top results in the local area,” said Nasrin Farahani, Vice Principal for Curriculum and Quality. “They are a testament to the extraordinary hard work of both our students and staff at the College and I’m incredibly proud that we have achieved the highest results the College has ever had. The College is expanding its curriculum of A Level subjects and will continue to offer its students excellent progression opportunities to university or their dream careers.”

There was a 100 per cent pass rate in 16 out of 18 subjects and a 77.8 per cent A*-C pass rate. Farnham Sixth Form College, which is also part of the Guildford College Group, had a record overall pass rate of 99.63 per cent  and a 100 per cent pass rate in 21 out of 22 subjects. The A*-B pass rate was 59 per cent and the A*-C pass rate was 82 per cent.

Guildford College and Merrist Wood College still have places available through clearing on their degree courses starting in September, so any students looking for an alternative plan should contact the College for further advice and support. There are places available at Guildford College in the areas of Business, Early Childhood Studies, Hospitality Management, Leadership and Management, Travel and Tourism and at Merrist Wood College in the areas of Equine Management, Garden Design and Golf Management.

 Jennifer Jordan  Subash Pun  Melissa Hart