IT WAS all smiles at Ashton Sixth Form College as its class of 2023 produced a ‘fantastic’ set of A-level results.
After not sitting GCSE exams because of Covid-19 and with a tougher marking structure being put in place, students at the Darnton Road establishment faced many challenges.
But they over came them with aplomb as they gained an overall A-level pass rate of 97 per cent and a 100 per cent pass rate across all vocational courses.
The percentage of those achieving the highest grades even increased, with half of all A-level subjects being graded A*-B and an impressive 4 out of 5 A-level subjects graded A*-C.
Four students – Lucas Habgood, India Hazelwood, Ruby Whiteside and Vernon Allott – have secured places into Oxbridge universities
All students on the Football Coaching and Development course with City in the Community achieved Distinction* or Distinction.
Ashlea O’Grady, of Denton, achieved A*AAAA in Psychology, Chemistry, Biology, Core Mathematics and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), securing a place at the University of Liverpool to study Medicine.
Harrison Roberts achieved A*AAA in History, Law, Politics and EPQ and will study law at Durham University.
And Dessica Convey achieved D*D*D* in Health and Social Care and a B in the EPQ. She is now progressing onto the University of Leeds to study Adult Nursing. 
34 out of 38 vocational Childcare & Education students achieved the highest grades of A*-B.
80 per cent of students who completed the Extended Project Qualification have achieved high grades (A*-B).
Ashton Sixth Form College’s centre principal Lisa Richards said: “I am so proud of the class of 2023, and they should be very pleased with what they have achieved.
“We should not forget that this cohort were unable to sit their final GCSE examinations and have sat their A-levels and vocational qualifications without any concessions, making their achievements even more impressive and well-deserved.
“Our leavers have made a fabulous contribution to college over the past two years and they have great potential for a lifetime of success.
“I wish them the very best as they progress onto their chosen next steps, be that university or an apprenticeship or job with further training.”