Bishop Auckland College students celebrate Level 3 results with bright futures ahead
There was a day of celebration at Bishop Auckland College Group, including Bishop Auckland College and South-West Durham Training, as students received their Level 3 results.
Hundreds of students are celebrating their achievements and looking ahead to their next steps, with many progressing to university, apprenticeships and employment, while others will continue their studies at the college.
The college group saw strong achievement across its T-level and BTEC programmes and many students are already taking the next steps in their chosen careers.
Among them is Beth Caygill, 18, from Shildon, who studied a T-level in Education and Early Years. After achieving a merit, she has secured a position as a nursery practitioner at Playday in Newton Aycliffe, starting in September.
Beth said: “I am very pleased with the result. It has been a good experience at Bishop Auckland College.
“I have always wanted to work with young children, and this has got me to the next stage. I am so pleased to have ended up with a job at the end of my time at Bishop, where I have really enjoyed it.”
(Beth Caygill- From T-Level success to nursery practitioner)
Similarly, Ellie Ashby, 18, from Crook, also completed a T-level in Education and Early Years.
After securing a merit and gaining experience through placements in nurseries, she had three job offers and has accepted a role as a one-to-one teaching assistant at The Oaks, a special educational needs school in Spennymoor.
Ellie said: “I have always wanted to teach that age. I am now really looking forward to starting a role as a one-to-one teaching assistant in September.
“I did a lot of one-to-one work during my placements, so I am confident going in with the knowledge I have gained.
“I am also going to go back to study on a night course when I can because I want to do a university teaching degree. I can’t wait to start work in September.”
(Ellie Ashby – Merit achieved and a new role as a one-to-one teaching assistant awaits.)
Other students are choosing to continue further their education at the college or elsewhere.
Benjamin Smithies, 20, from Crook, studied a Level 3 in Esports, achieving a triple distinction and a merit. He will now return to Bishop Auckland College to pursue a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Esports.
He said: “I am very proud of myself for what I have achieved. I will forever remember this moment when I leave this college because I have done better than I thought.
“I am going to continue to study Esports and try to get an even higher grade. If I can achieve that in the next level, then I would love to secure a job in game development or car mechanics.”
(Benjamin Smithies – Triple distinction in Esports and aiming even higher next year.)
And Erin Haley, 19, from Bishop Auckland, is heading to Northumbria University to study marketing after successfully attaining a triple distinction star in her Level 3 BTEC in Art & Design (photography).
Erin said: “I am really pleased with what I have achieved. I have learned so much.
“I want to open my own business in the future, with photography and marketing skills that I am learning all going to come in extremely handy.
“Initially I came to college and thought the course would be good for extra UCAS points but it has been much more than that. The tutors have been great and the friends I have made too.
“I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I have and coming away with a triple distinction star is crazy.”
(Erin Haley – Triple distinction star in Art & Design and heading to Northumbria University.)
Bishop Auckland College’s Vice Principal for Curriculum and Quality, Judith Layfield, praised the students’ success.
Judith said: “We are incredibly proud of what our Level 3 students have achieved and are excited for their futures.
“These excellent results are the culmination of two years of hard work, and they will secure our students’ next steps, whether that’s progressing to higher education, apprenticeships, or straight into the world of work.
“We also want to give a massive thank you to our employer partners, who have been an integral part of this journey by providing valuable work placements and support.”
