12th March 2024

Here at South Devon College, we are proud of all our students, and we want to celebrate those who have worked hard to improve their GCSE grades during the retakes. 

In total 50 students, aged 16 to 18, who sat their English and Maths resits have now achieved their grade 4 or above. 

One such student is Ellie Knowles-Pease, who joined the South Devon College in September.  Ellie had a Grade 3 and was just 12 marks off a Grade 4.   

Ellie said: ”I was determined that I was going to do it this time around.” 

The English November retake students are offered weekly revision sessions, plus additional coaching sessions at the College, in addition to their timetabled English lessons.  

Ellie continued: “The extra sessions benefited me as it gave me more practice and it highlighted areas I needed to work on and how I could improve.” 

What makes Ellie’s successful pass grade second time around even more worthy of celebration is that the resit was taken under a different examination board from her previous school, meaning she had to learn new methods of answering questions in only a couple of months.  

One of the English Coaches, Helen Monaghan, said: “Using a different exam board means this is a big ask for retake students to learn the new exam skills needed for a different exam board as the questions are structured differently, in just 8 weeks.”  

Ellie was rewarded for all her hard work with a secure grade 4 pass. She is now studying Level 3 Public Services at South Devon College with the aim of joining either the Navy or police force. 

She concluded: “I would say that the support I received from the College was really good because it’s easy to doubt yourself, but having that guidance makes you believe in yourself and lifts you up to succeed.” 

^{Ellie Knowles-Pease}

Another student who had resit success is Maddie Kidd, who achieved a Grade 4 in her Maths retake, after encouragement from her family and staff at the College to strive for a higher grade. 

Maddie said: “I wanted to make them all proud, and of course myself, to know that I had at least given it another try instead of giving up straight away.” 

Maddie put in the hard work to achieve her improved grade, getting into College for 8am to do an hour of Maths revision before lessons, followed by another hour after school. This determination, combined with some 1-to-1 coaching sessions with teachers, saw her celebrating her GCSE success. 

Maddie continued: “I had a lot of support in the High School. I had great help from staff members Trish Smith, Georgie Lawrence, Tony Hobson and Heather Lusty – they all helped me out so much, supported me and believed in me to do well!” 

Maddie is now studying Level 2 Culinary Skills at the College and is hoping to do the patisserie course in the second year: “I’d like to gain all the skills and knowledge I need to work in the catering industry.”

Heather Lusty, English and Maths Coach, said: “Maddie attended weekly Maths coaching with me. She was open to learning and keen to improve her maths skills. Maddie showed confidence in implementing her new maths knowledge and her determination paid off – well done Maddie.” 

Obtaining GCSEs in core curriculum subjects of English and Maths ensures the students are equipped to progress further with their studies. 

Rebecca Walker, Curriculum Head for English and Maths at South Devon College, said: “The November retake success is a superb result and testament to all the students’ hard work and dedication of the department staff.     

“Congratulations to all those students – we wish you continued success in your studies.”