Results joy for LZ6 students

Students and staff at the Learning Zone Sixth Form College (LZ6) had reasons to be cheerful as they received an excellent set of 'A' Level and vocational qualification results. This year saw the first cohort of students to have successfully completed the two-year 'A' Level programme at the new LZ6 facility - a joint sixth form for Macclesfield High School, Macclesfield College and Park Lane Special School offering a combination of academic and vocational courses. Impressive results were also achieved by LZ6 students on BTEC National Diplomas, the vocational equivalent to A Level courses, with many students achieving three A grades.

There were many notable successes at A2 Level with 100% pass rates achieved in the vast majority of subjects. A2 students who performed exceptionally well included Jordan Burnett, who achieved 4 As at A2 and is going to Edinburgh to study Mathematical Physics. He said, "I was predicted good grades, but I didn't think I'd do this well - I've been nervously waiting all summer!"

Charlotte Caulfield and her boyfriend Nick Taylor both enjoyed excellent results. Charlotte, who is heading to York University to study English Language and Linguistics, gained 3 As at A2, and Nick, also going to York to study Chemistry, gained 4 As at A2. Nick commented, "I feel ecstatic and really, really happy with my grades!" Alice Ridgeway was unable to collect her results as she was on a scientific Expedition to Indonesia, run by Macclesfield High School. Her mum collected her results on her behalf and phoned her straight away with the results - 4 straight As at A2.

Exceptional results were also achieved in vocational qualifications with 100% pass rates achieved in all BTEC National Diploma specialisms: Applied Science (Forensic), Business Management & Marketing, Aerospace Engineering, Graphic Design, Health & Social Care, Hospitality, IT, Media Production, Public Services, Sport and Travel & Tourism. Business students particularly performed well, with 63% from the course receiving three A grades, as did students from Applied Science (Forensic), with 77% achieving three and two A grades, and 67% from Health and Social Care gaining three and two A grades.

Successful BTEC candidates included Sports student Victoria Snape, who commented, "I've enjoyed the Learning Zone so much that I'm actually staying on to take a Foundation Degree in Sport Coaching and Fitness. This will increase my skills and knowledge and help me to become a gym instructor in the future." Others who also achieved top grades were Aerospace Engineering student Jake Campbell who is heading to Sheffield University, Kieron Hassell who will be taking a Criminology Degree at Leicester University, and James Oulton who studied for the National Diploma in Business, Management and Marketing. He said, "I really enjoyed my two years at LZ6, I think it's fantastic! I'm going to Bath Spa in September to do a four-year BSC Hons in Business and Management. It's a sandwich course so I'll spend one year's work experience in America - I'm hoping to get a placement with Adidas or Nike."

Some LZ6 students were also overjoyed with their results after overcoming personal challenges to succeed. These included partially-sighted, AS student David Jackson, who with the support of his classmates and support assistant, was very pleased to gain four passes in his studies. Bryony Ward worked exceptionally hard to gain her A level results despite difficult personal circumstances - she joined LZ6 in the second year of the A Level programme, having moved to Macclesfield to help care for her dying father. Despite missing the January exams and half the second year of her studies, she achieved three A Levels and is now aiming to study at Worcester University after embarking on a gap year volunteering in Ghana.

Adults studying part-time at Macclesfield College for modern foreign language A Levels also performed well - 100% pass rates were achieved in Italian and Spanish for yet another year. Pamela Dooley was just one of the many adult students who studied on a part-time course in her leisure time and successfully gained an A in Spanish.

Deputy Head of LZ6, Jonathan Disley, said, "We are very proud for all the students at LZ6. They have again turned out a very high level of performance in both A Level and vocational courses, and many of them have achieved the grades they were hoping for. They have all worked extremely well during the last academic year and we wish them every success for the next exciting stage in their lives with career goals or continued education, either at Macclesfield College or university. Praise must also go to the teaching staff who have been committed over the past two years in helping the students succeed."

Head Teacher of Macclesfield High School, Ged Ward, commented, "I am delighted for the students. Virtually all of them have a place at their university of first choice or have a gap year planned and I wish them all the very best for the future. Several who have done very well are travelling back from Indonesia where they have been on a scientific expedition with Operation Wallacea. It has been wonderful being with their parents as they telephoned sons and daughters half way around the globe with their excellent results. Today is for celebrating the students' achievements and praising the teachers who have done such a good job."

Principal of Macclesfield College, Wendy Wright OBE, said, "These excellent results demonstrate that the state-of-the-art facilities and high standards of teaching at the Learning Zone Sixth Form College are having a positive effect on the students. LZ6 is attracting students from across Macclesfield, Congleton, High Peak, Stockport and beyond, and a record number of 16 to 18 year olds have already applied for A Level, BTEC and Diploma courses starting in September. I would like to congratulate all the staff and students who have worked hard throughout the academic year to achieve these excellent results, and wish the students every success with their future plans."

The Learning Zone can help any students who are unsure about what to do next after getting their results, or are experiencing difficulty securing a place on a degree course - places are still available at the Learning Zone on a wide range of degree-level programmes. For more details, call into the campus or phone 01625 410002.

21/08/2009