The GCSE Programme is a Level 2 programme based at the Joseph Wright Centre (JWC) in Derby.
It offers students the opportunity to boost their GCSE grade profile providing a stepping stone to Level 3 courses, such as A-Levels and T Levels.
Many of the 148 GCSE Plus students came into the JWC to collect their results.
This years’ cohort have studied core subjects such as English Language, Maths and Combined Science alongside complementary choices such as English Literature, History, Media Studies and Business Studies.
Most students follow a face-to-face programme at JWC. An increasing number of students are joining the college’s smaller remote programme which allows students to access the programme online.
Nearly two thirds of all English Language and Maths students achieved a grade 4 or above including nearly a third of Higher Maths students, achieving 7 or above, the equivalent of an A grade.
It was an even better picture for the students on the remote programme with nearly three quarters achieving a grade 4 or above.
Debbie Painter, Derby College Group’s Curriculum Manager for the GCSE Plus programme said: “Results day is the most exciting day of the year.
“My team and I are so proud of the success of our students. Many students have overcome significant barriers to achieve their grades and boost their academic profile.
“We have seen their confidence, resilience and skills grow significantly whilst they have studied with us at JWC.
“There is a real sense of community on the GCSE Plus programme and it is amazing to see the students supporting each other on this important day.
“Most students have progressed onto Level 3 courses including a large proportion moving onto A levels, T Levels and Applied Science.
“Others have secured apprenticeships, employment, and our outgoing Student Union Vice President is pursuing an Access course before progressing onto International Relations at university.
“The successes we have seen have been a testament to the students hard-work, commitment and determination along with the tremendous expertise and support provided by the teachers and coaches that make up the GCSE Plus team.”
Success on the face-to-face GCSE Plus programme
There were so many stories of exceptional achievement. Here is a selection of them:
Notable successes from students featured in this photo include Sonny Alton Shardlow, who was previously home educated and achieved five grades over 6 with three 9s in Combined Science 99 and Mathematics 9 (Higher tier).
Eesa achieved five grades with level 4 or higher including a 7 in English Literature.
Luke Angus achieved five grades at level 4 or higher including three 7s in History, English Language and Media Studies. Owen Millar got five grades at level 6 or above with 87 in Combined Science and 7 in English Language.
James Ng achieved four grades at 4 or above.
Having completed a second year on the programme after joining it late in November 2022, Bhryel John Balatbat got three additional GCSEs at level 5 and above this year, attaining a 6 in Business and 55 in Combined Science.
He previously achieved three GCSEs above 4 including a 6 in English Language in 2023.
All of the students featured joined the programme without any prior GCSE qualifications.
Outstanding success for the remote programme
There were also a number of outstanding success on the remote programme, including Bella Neale who received a 4 in Maths and 6s in both English Language and English Literature.
She is following in her brother, Harrison’s footsteps by progressing to the face-to-face programme to study Business and Combined Science next year.
Harrison Neale graduated from the GCSE programme this year having achieved a 4 in Maths and 6s in both English Language and English Literature in the first year combined with 66 in Combined Science and 5 in Business this year.
Hayden Larkin achieved 4s in Maths and English Literature and a 7 in English Language. He achieved the highest mark in the cohort in English Language.
Ryan Duggan followed a hybrid programme, attending on-site for media and remotely for the core subjects. He achieved 4s in Maths and English Literature, a 5 in English Language and a 6 in Media.
He said: “I can’t believe I passed all of my resits and I got a grade 6 in Media which is amazing! I had never done Media before this year.
“I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all of the teachers on the GCSE Plus course for helping me through this year.
“When I enrolled last September, I felt like it was the end of the world because I failed my GCSEs but this year has been amazing.
“From going to London to cinema trips to watch the Hunger Games, to racing between college and my online Lessons it’s been so fun!
“I’d definitely recommend this course to others. I don’t think I would have been able to pass my exams this year without your support so thank you so, so much!”
Proud teachers and parents
Aaron Pike joined the programme looking to fulfil his academic potential and pursue his desire to study A levels in the future.
He has had tremendous success, achieving 5 grades at level 6 and above, which included 6s in Maths and English Language, 77 in Combined Science and 8 in Business.
Aaron’s mum, Sian Pike, added:
“We are immensely proud of Aaron. The difference from last year’s results day to this year is incredible.
“He has shown such resilience and determination to turn his results around.
“He could not have done it without the incredible support and belief shown to him by the Derby College team.
“We will be forever grateful for the second chance they gave him.”
Luke joined the programme having moved from to Derby from Australia. He achieved similar success with five grades at level 4 or higher including three 7s in History, English Language and Media Studies.
Hadi moved from India shortly before joining the GCSE Plus programme. He achieved 98 in Combined Science, 7 in Maths, 6 in Business and 5 in English Language. He will now be studying Sciences at A-level.
Sibling success
Bella and Harrison were not the only siblings on the GCSE Plus programme. Audrey and Ashton Mandaza joined following their move from Zimbabwe.
Audrey achieved five GCSEs at level 4 and above with 65 in Combined Science, 5 in Maths and 4s in Business and English Language.
She will be moving onto A Levels. Ashton achieved 3 grades above level 4 with a 44 in Combined Science and a 4 in Maths. He will progress onto Health and Social Care.
GCSE Plus offers excellent pathways to further study
Kainaat joined the programme after having lived in Ireland. Having not previously studies for GCSEs, she achieved four grades at level 4 and above including 44 in Combined Science, 5 in Maths and 6 in English Language.
Kainaat is taking over from Bhryel John Balatbat as Vice President of the Student Union this year. She will be studying A-levels at the JWC.
Eshal Shafiq joined the GCSE Plus programme to boost her grade profile and fulfil her ambition to study Science at Level 3.
She achieved 4 grades above level 4, including a 4 in Maths, 54 in Combined Science and 6 in English Language. She has secured a place on the T Level programme.
Aiman Balqees Mirza is progressing onto the Applied Science course following her achievement of 54 in Combined Science. She will be joined by many of her peers from the GCSE Plus programme.
Former GCSE Plus students also celebrated success on A Level Results day
Many former GCSE Plus students celebrated securing places at top universities last week after doing well in their A-levels.
Among the success stories is Aleena Sadeedi who is going to Sheffield University to study Architecture. She achieved an A* in English Literature, an A in Fine Art, C in Maths along with an A in her EPQ.
Liana Coman is off to Southampton University to study accounting after getting an A in Criminology and Bs in Law and Business, as well as an A in her EPQ.
Liana, who wants to be an accountant when she graduates, came to Derby from Romania when she was 15 and initially studied on DCG’s GCSE Plus programme.
Liana said: “The staff at JWC have been fantastic. It’s not just the teaching but the pastoral support and coaching too. They’re always there for us if we need them.”
Having completed a second year on the programme after joining late in November 2022, Bhryel John Balatbat achieved three additional GCSEs at level 5 and above this year, attaining a 6 in Business and 55 in Combined Science.
He previously achieved three GCSEs above 4 including a 6 in English Language in 2023.
As well as being the vice president of the Student Union, Bhryel John has been the curriculum lead ambassador and a Media Literacy Ambassador.
He has presented at Guardian Foundation events in London, Manchester and led a UNESCO webinar on mis- and disinformation while training his peers to become Media Literacy Ambassadors.
His mum, Belle Balatbat, said:
“We are forever grateful with no words to describe the gratitude from our hearts as parents for the privilege and opportunities that has paved towards John’s lived experience in his course at Derby College.”
Debbie added: “We would like to congratulate all of our students on their successes and thank them for their hard work.
“We are confident the GCSE Plus course has helped pave the way for your future successes!”
Find out about our GCSE Plus courses.
