STUDENTS at USP College which has campuses at Palmer's College, Grays and in Benfleet, are celebrating GCSE results well above the national average after the College achieved a record-breaking outcome from exam resits taken in November.

More students at the college than ever took up the opportunity to resit the GCSE English and Maths exams that were cancelled last summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year more students achieved passes grades 9 to 4, with the college seeing a six per cent higher pass rate than last year, topping the national average by more than 10 per cent and ranking in the top 10 per cent in the country for GCSE English and maths results.

Vice Principal Seval Fadil said: "Ensuring the November resits went ahead was an important yet challenging task. The college had a vigorous process in place to accommodate all students in a socially distanced way whilst making sure they felt relaxed to take the exam.

"This year we had more entries than ever and are pleased that these students will now be able to progress, whether that be to a Level 3 qualification, university or employment in the summer."

The college offers GCSE English and maths alongside Vocational programmes to those who have not yet achieved a grade 4 or above.

Student Archie Inwood, who is currently studying Level 3 extended diploma in business, passed his GCSE English achieving a grade 4 in the November resit and said: "I can now spend the rest of the year focusing on my business course to achieve the best grade I can.

"Passing English has increased my confidence when applying for jobs as I am now proud to include my GCSE result on my CV."

The college also offers GCSE English and Maths to adults, if they have not received a grade D/3 they may also be able to study for free.

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USP College is hosting a virtual open evening on Thursday, 4 February where visitors can speak to teachers in live question and answer sessions as well as speak to student services and current students. To find out more about the courses available or to sign up to the open evening click here.