FURTHER education colleges are bracing themselves for a mad dash for places after GCSE results were announced on Thursday.

The number of students gaining good results was expected to be up, and local institutions are expecting a last minute rush with teenagers chasing places on A-level courses.

Enrolment began today at Leyland's Runshaw College which has already tried to entice as many pupils as possible by holding a string of open days during summer.

But, as spokesman Jim Smith explained, students often gain better grades than expected. He said: "We are finding more and more people are leaving it late before deciding what to do.

"A lot of people do walk away from school with better results than predicted and decide to go for A-levels after all because they are recognised as the gold standard among advanced exams worldwide."

Allistair Short of Preston College agreed: "We find a lot of students will move off a GNVQ course to an A-level course if their grades are up and we will try to accommodate them."

Careerlink, Lancashire's careers service, is offering a helpline and free drop-in service to anyone who needs help. Call them on 261400 or in Leyland 450800.

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