College celebrates outstanding exam results

The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) is delighted to announce exceptional results for its students in the recent A Level and Level 3 examinations. Students achieved an impressive overall pass rate of 100% for A Levels, up by 6% on 2023. The results showcase their dedication and the College’s commitment to academic excellence. Added to this, students have all secured their first choices at university.

Raven Scott has achieved A Levels in German (B), History (A) and Psychology (A), along with an A* in their Extended Project Qualification. They have also passed Level 2 qualifications in Braille and Home Cooking Skills.

Raven says:

‘I’d definitely like to emphasise that studying at RNC has given me so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had had I gone to a mainstream school and it’s really set me up to challenge myself in the future.’

Raven now leaves the UK to study Psychology at university in Germany.

Particular praise goes to those students who undertook the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), with a 100% overall pass rate, with 89% obtaining A*-C grades. This qualification is highly valued by universities and employers alike and reflects the students’ ability to conduct independent research and produce high-quality work.

Freya Gavin undertook an ambitious EPQ project, organising and funding her participation in the Manchester Marathon. Her incredible effort resulted in a finishing time of 5:09:31 and a fundraising total of over £3000 for RNC - a registered charity.

Freya leaves RNC with a set of impressive qualifications under her belt: A Level Psychology (C), AS Sociology (B), BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sporting Excellence and Performance (D*D*),  BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Contracted Braille (Pass), Diploma in Sports Massage (Pass), Diploma in Holistic Massage (Pass), Certificate in On Site Massage (Pass), A Level Biology (D) and OCR Level 3 EPQ (A).

Freya will be studying Physiotherapy at the University of Salford and, on results day, was offered a part-time job as a Massage Therapist at a local Physio and Rehabilitation Clinic, which she will do alongside her studies.

The College has also seen a 100% pass rate in Level 3 equivalent qualifications across all subjects - Business Studies, Creative Music Industries, Information Technology, Health & Social Care, Massage & Complementary Therapies, and Sports. 64.58% received a Merit, Distinction or Distinction*. This outstanding achievement highlights RNC’s dedication to providing vocational pathways for its students.

Muhammed Ravat received a D*D* in Business and a Distinction in Health & Social Care adding to his list of qualifications: AS Level Mathematics (C), BTEC Level 1 Braille (Pass), BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in IT (Merit), BTEC Level 2 Home Cooking Skills (Pass) and OCR Level 3 EPQ (A).  

Muhammed is now looking for employment opportunities in the field of Marketing. Of his experience at the College, Muhammed said:

‘I am over the moon with my results and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Royal National College for the Blind.

‘I’m so proud of all of my achievements from learning how to cook and navigate independently to completing bronze and silver awards in Duke of Edinburgh to achieving my qualifications in Business, Health & Social Care and more.’

Claire Lewin, Director of Learning and Curriculum (Curriculum and Teaching Strategy), said:

‘We are delighted and immensely proud of all of the hard work and determination that our students have demonstrated in achieving such pleasing results. Results only show a part of the student journey at RNC and the progress that our students have made in their independence skills and self-confidence is outstanding. All of our students wishing to attend university have successfully secured places and we wish all of those students who have left us this year great success in their future endeavours.’

The results are even more impressive when taking into consideration that all students receive additional training in assistive technology, Braille, independent living skills and mobility, equipping them for further study, work and life in a sighted world and helping them to reach their full potential.