Celebrating student success in the November GCSE exams

November’s GCSE results have delivered outstanding news for students across the College, with several students achieving strong outcomes against the odds.

Level 2 Engineering Technology student Austin Richardson is a standout success. Celebrated by his GCSE Maths teacher, Todd Williams, Austin joined the College as an Elective Home Education (EHE) student, where his determination and resilience paid off with an excellent result. His achievement is a powerful example of how flexible pathways and the right support can transform futures.

Todd also highlighted two further success stories. Level 2 Engineering Technology students Lordrick Chateya and Tawanamufaro Zisusa both achieved a pass in their GCSEs, after arriving with no prior grades. The outcomes reflect significant progress and commitment over a short period of time.

Tawanamufaro said: "You have to trust what your teacher is teaching you. My teacher, Matthew Wilson, made lessons fun and engaging without being too serious, which really connected with young people. I also recapped what I learned as soon as I got home instead of cramming weeks before exams. Using sticky notes and revising little and often made everything less stressful. I went into my exams confident, put the effort in early, and ended up doing better than I expected.”

Level 1 Land Based Studies Sammy Robinson achieved a grade 7 in GCSE English, the second highest mark in the entire College, an outstanding academic accomplishment. Level 2 Horticulture Jensen Millard followed closely with a strong grade 6 in GCSE English.

Level 1 Land Based Studies student Ash Longden’s life circumstances changed dramatically when she became wheelchair bound. Despite this, Ash achieved a grade 5 in GCSE English, demonstrating remarkable resilience and focus.

Amelia Lax, a Level 1 Land Based Studies who achieved a grade 5 in Maths, said: “I had a great teacher who was always there to support me. I made full use of the revision resources provided, stayed focused in class and made sure I attended every lesson. While stress and nerves are a natural part of sitting exams, I reminded myself that many others were feeling the same and, most importantly, had faith in my own ability. My results fully met my expectations because I worked extremely hard to achieve them.”

Cam Fermin, GCSE English and Maths Manager at Barnsley College, added: “Many students achieved their expected outcomes in the November exams, and we are extremely proud of their hard work, commitment and determination.”

Together, these results highlight not only academic achievement, but also the impact of perseverance, supportive teaching and tailored learning pathways. November’s exam outcomes are a clear reminder that success comes in many forms, and that every student’s journey deserves to be celebrated.