CRAVEN College has celebrated excellent results among its students this year.

The college said special congratulations went to equine management, IT and health & social care extended diploma students who achieved a full house with 100 per cent high grades.

Elsewhere in the College, 100 per cent pass rates were achieved in A Level psychology, public services, art & design, land-based studies, bench joinery, performing & production arts, business administration, creative media production & technology, applied science, animal management and travel & tourism.

A timely investment in technology and flexible, digital learning has meant that Craven College students have been well placed to achieve their goals despite the pandemic.

Lindsey Johnson, college principal said: "Our technical qualifications lead to A Level equivalent results where students can progress to university or apprenticeship or straight into a job. For instance, a student achieving D*D*D* (distinction star) in an Extended Diploma is equivalent to A*A*A* at A level and worth the same 168 UCAS points for university entry.

“This year we are delighted to see students progressing to Degree Apprenticeships for the first time and going onto to study relatively new subjects such as Games Design.”

Rosie Rudden, from Skipton, was highly delighted with her Sociology, Psychology, Health & Social Care results (BB Distinction) and will study a Primary Teaching Degree at Edgehill University.

IT students did particularly well. Alicia Hey, from Goose Eye, Keighley, who achieved the highest overall grade in the year group is going to Exeter University and will work at BT Head Quarters in Ipswich. Ewan Callaghan from Oakworth, is another IT success story. Ewan has just achieved Extended Diploma (DDD) after coming to Craven College and enrolling on Level 2. He has gained an Apprenticeship at Kone and will start in September.

Matthew Moody from Ingleton is looking forward to studying Computer Science at Northumbria. Andrew Howard from Clitheroe is embarking on a Software Development Degree Apprenticeship in London.

Matthew Reynard from Oxenhope (Extended Diploma DMM) is delighted to have a place at the University of Greenwich to study Programming.

Jemma Crozier, Creative Media Production and Technology Tutor says of the Level 3 Extended Diploma students, ‘While the rest of the TV and Film industry packed up their cameras, microphones, and tripods, to wait out the last lockdown, this group were just starting their Final Major Project. It was always going to be difficult shooting short films, music videos and documentaries with limited resources. However, they were determined, filled with grit and passion to succeed, and continued to produce fantastic pieces of work. This year I have seen some of the best practical work in all my time teaching, even after everything they have been through, all the obstacles in their way. They were limited to travelling, actors in isolation, they had to plan carefully how to get shots within the 2-meter distancing rule, mask wearing, but despite all this, they did it and they did it in style, with a 100% pass rate and 67% achieving a Merit or distinction’. 

Extended Diploma Level 3 Media students Shemhaji Villocillo from Skipton and Harry Tennant, from Addingham, were both pleased with their results. Shemhaji is taking a year out to build up his portfolio and Harry is going to Greenwich University to study Film & TV Production. Harry said, ‘This course really worked for me because it is more practical and you get to understand the context of the subject much more than if you took the more theoretical A level route.’

Performing and Production Arts Level 3 Extended Diploma students succeeded with 100% high distinction grade. This included Owen Gallear from Cullingworth, who is progressing to the Arden School of Theatre to study Theatre and Performance, Abbi Mercer from Oxenhope, who has secured a place at the Northern School of Art, to study Acting for Stage and Screen. Olivia Ryder from Skipton is progressing to BA Acting in the 21st Century at the Institute for Contemporary Theatre. Izzy Harris from Skipton will go to The Arden School of Theatre after a year out to study Technical Theatre and Production and Tilly Moorhouse, also from Skipton will concentrate on full time work, whilst working with acting agencies.

Luca Di Palma Heath, from Bramhope, has achieved D* in his Level 3 Aviation & Travel, giving him the necessary UCAS points to enrol onto an Aviation degree at The Aviation Academy. Nikki Chestnutt, Head of Aviation, says, ‘We are thrilled for Luca as he has worked so hard to achieve his goals. He has been with us for 3 years and has worked his way through the levels and is now on track for degree success.’ Luca added ‘The whole atmosphere at the Aviation Academy is great for learning, from being airside, to the trips to Concorde at Manchester Airport and being selected to be part of the Ambassador Programme at Leeds Bradford Airport. The TAA staff are fantastic and very supportive.’

Congratulations to over 250 students who came to College from school without English or maths GCSE who have now achieved a grade 9-4 (A*- C equivalent).

Students studying level 2 (GCSE equivalent courses) all received their results on Thursday. Horse Care students led the field with a 100% pass rate with 71% of the class achieving a merit or distinction. They were followed closely by IT Level 2, Public Services, Health & Social Care and Creative Media. 100% pass rates were also achieved in a huge range of subjects including Aviation, Beauty Therapy, Horse Care, Arts, Land-based, Motor Vehicle, Art & Design, Painting & Decorating, Bench Joinery, Performing & Production Arts, Business and Sport.

Anita Lall, vice principal, said: “I am delighted for all our students receiving results this week.

Their determination and resilience through a difficult year has shone through and I wish them every success for their future.”