Students at Ron Dearing UTC excited for the future after excellent GCSEs

‘RESULT!’: Ron Dearing UTC principal Sarah Pashley celebrating with GCSE students Aimee Laws, far left, Peace Umudjoro, second right, and Sanziana Vetis, far right.

Students at Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) have spoken of the exciting opportunities they can look forward to after securing impressive GCSE results.

The results saw 81% of students achieve grades 4-9 in both English and Maths and 50% of students secure grades 5-9 in English and Maths.

The employer-led school’s specialisms also performed well, with 33% of students achieving Distinction* or Distinction in Creative Media, 30% gaining Distinction* or Distinction in Digital Technology and 46% awarded Distinction* or Distinction in Engineering.

Peace Umudjoro, 16, left private school to join Ron Dearing and has never looked back.

She achieved seven GCSEs, including grade 8 in English Language, and will study Engineering and Art at the Sixth Form.

“I’ve worked really hard and I don’t think my results have sunk in yet,” she said.

Aimee Laws is on track for a successful career in engineering after Ron Dearing “opened her eyes” to the many opportunities available to her.

She achieved a Distinction in Engineering, as well as GCSEs in Chemistry, Maths, Computer Science, Physics, English Language and English Literature and is staying on at Sixth Form to study Double Digital Technology.

Aimee, 16, said: “I did better than I expected and I’m really pleased.

“I didn’t know much about engineering before I came here, but I’ve found I’m good at it and the staff have opened my eyes to all the different careers out there.”

Noah Devine-Runkee, 16, is hoping to realise his dream of becoming an astronaut after securing grade 9 in Maths and grades 8 in Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science.

He is now returning to Ron Dearing Sixth form to study A-Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry and plans to go to university to study Astrophysics.

Noah said: “I’m really happy with my results. I want to do something different with my life.”

SHOOTING FOR THE STARS: Noah Devine-Runkee collecting his GCSE results

Fellow high-flyer Kelham Hillier achieved grades 9 in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics, as well as a Distinction* in both Creative Digital and Engineering Design.

He is staying at Ron Dearing to study A-Levels in Maths, Further Maths and Physics, as well as a higher technical qualification in Engineering.

Kelham, 16, said: “I’m really pleased with my results because I’ve worked hard for them.

“The staff have really helped me along the way and I’ve been very happy here, so there’s no need to go anywhere else.”

Sanziana Vetis, 16, achieved seven GCSEs, including grade 8 in Art and Design, and a Distinction in Creative Digital. She will now be studying Double iMedia and Art in the school’s Sixth Form from September.

Sanziana, who would like to become a graphic designer in the future, said: “These grades are what I wanted and I’m extremely happy.”

Jasveer Jabbal, 16, is also excited about what the future holds after achieving grades 9 in Maths and Computer Science, as well as a Distinction* in Engineering Design.

He said: “I was a bit worried but I’m really pleased with my results – I’m proud of all of them.”