A SELECT number of students were celebrating their A-level results at Blackburn College yesterday at a scaled-down version of the annual event.

The college has seen an increase in its A-level pass rate, an increase in A* to B grades and an increase in A* to C grades.

Hundreds more students were also celebrating at home, after they received their results online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Fazal Dad, principal and chief executive at Blackburn College, said: “I’m delighted that during these difficult times Blackburn College has seen an improvement in A-level grades, including increases in the number of high grades achieved.

“With the support of their teachers and our dedicated information, advice and guidance teams, this year’s cohort of A-level students at Blackburn College are set to progress to some of the UK’s top universities to study a diverse range of subjects including International Law, Accounting and Finance and Languages and Cultures," he added.

“We also have students who have chosen to study locally with Blackburn University Centre, where you don’t have to move away from home, face expensive accommodation and uncertainties about the future delivery of their courses.”

Merle Walmsley will be studying a Languages, Cultures and English Degree at the University of Leeds after achieving A, A and B in her A-levels.

Merle, 18 from Blackburn, studied A-level English Language, History and Media at the Feilden Street College, achieving B, A and A respectively in those subjects.

Her chosen language for her degree will be Spanish.

Merle, who attended Ribblesdale High School, said: “The main appeal of studying at Blackburn College for me was the courses, including the fact I couldn’t do Media Studies anywhere else near me.

"Also, it’s only a short bus journey from where I live, making the campus easily accessible at all times," she added.

“The best part of the courses for me was the breadth of knowledge that you gain from each subject, which in turn showed me what I would want to study after progressing from A-levels. I also got to study subjects I was genuinely interested in, meaning that I felt engaged in the lessons.”

Meanwhile, Finlay Shaw-Mackay is celebrating after achieving A, B and C in his A-levels.

Finlay, 19, from Blackburn, studied Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics, achieving A, B and C respectively in those subjects.

He chose to study at Blackburn College after previously spending a year at Runshaw College, highlighting that he needed a change and a different approach to Further Education.

Finlay, who attended Darwen Vale High School, said: “Blackburn College was definitely the best choice for me. The thing I have enjoyed the most about studying at the college is the freedom you have. There is a good balance between your timetable and the extra work you do outside of class.

“Before coming to Blackburn College my education felt very restricted and I felt I was struggling for time. Here I have enjoyed the flexibility and have definitely felt more relaxed with my studies.”

Laraib Raza will study an Accounting and Finance Degree after achieving A*, A and A in her A-levels.

Laraib studied A-level Biology, Chemistry and Psychology, achieving A, A and A* respectively in those subjects.

She chose to study her A-levels straight after completing her GCSEs with Blackburn College following a move from Italy.

Laraib, 18, who lives in Blackburn, said: “The college was brilliant in supporting me to achievement with my GCSEs, especially with me coming from a different country, and the staff also helped me pick the A-level subjects that were personally suitable.