There were celebrations at West Nottinghamshire College today (Thursday 20 August 2026) as teenagers and adults received their GCSE and Level 2 qualification results.
A grade 7 in GCSE maths and grade 6 in both English and biology have boosted adult learner Masooma Shahrestani’s confidence and goals to become a dental hygienist.
Those collecting results included hundreds of young people who had re-taken GCSE English and maths alongside their main academic or vocational programme after not achieving a grade 4 or above last year.
Adult learners also achieved success, having returned to the classroom to gain GCSEs they did not secure at school. Many are now preparing to progress to higher-level study, access university or embark on new career paths.
This year, a record 2,165 learners studied one or more GCSE subjects at the college, with the majority studying English and maths. Under government requirements, 16 to 18-year-olds who have not yet achieved a grade 4 or above in these subjects must continue working towards the qualifications in post-16 education.
There were 3,081 GCSE exam entries this summer, up 7.7% on last year. Pass rates were:
- 86% in English
- 88% in maths
- 93% in biology
- 100% in chemistry
- 100% in business.
Meanwhile, 347 students received results from external assessments for BTEC and City & Guilds Level 2 qualifications, as well as T Level Foundation programmes.
Among those celebrating were students whose results have opened up exciting opportunities for their next steps.
Adult learner Masooma Shahrestani has overcome the challenges of studying in a second language to achieve GCSE grades in English, maths and biology, following her move to the UK as a refugee.
Masooma, 30, who lives in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, is originally from Afghanistan and came to the UK from Pakistan around two-and-a-half years ago. She achieved a grade 7 in GCSE maths and grade 6 in both English and biology, with her English result particularly significant.
“I’m really happy. I was not expecting to pass English,” said Masooma. “It is not my first language, so I was nervous and there was lots of huge vocabulary, which was really difficult and challenging for me during class time.”
She said the results represented an important step towards her future career ambitions.
“It’s a huge opportunity for me to get a better career in future,” she said. “It really means it opens a door for me to see a goal, to fulfil my wish.”
Masooma will now progress to an Access to Science course at the college in September, before pursuing her ambition of becoming a dental hygienist.
“I’m really interested in the human body, in particular the brain and bones, so I’m very interested to study these specific aspects,” she said.
Balancing three GCSEs was challenging, but Masooma was determined to succeed.
She said: “Biology and English were really tough. The vocabulary and the words were challenging for me and I needed to find their meaning in my own language.
“I spent hours and hours at home studying and I’m really surprised by how well I’ve done.”
Masooma said the support she received from her teachers had played an important role in helping her succeed.
“The teachers were really helpful and supportive,” she said. “Whenever I struggled with things in class, they were always there for me and guided me to the specific way that suited me best.”
For 20-year-old Thomas Wilkinson, from Hucknall, results day brought double success as he achieved a grade 7 in GCSE English and a grade 5 in maths – exceeding his expectations, particularly in English.
Thomas previously attended Dawn House School, for young people with complex speech and language challenges, before eventually joining the college, where alongside his GCSEs he studied a diploma in creative media skills, achieving a double distinction, the highest-possible grade.
He said: “I’m really pleased. I was pretty confident about maths because I’d worked hard to secure the grade, but I really wasn’t expecting a 7 in English. With English, it can be difficult to tell how you’ve done when you come out of the exam, so I’m very happy with that.
“College is a lot more laid-back than school and I think it helps you focus on where you want to go as an individual and what you want to learn.
“The tutors know how to focus on the core areas where you might be struggling. They’re very specialised in what they do and I think that creates a really good pathway for students.”
Thomas’s mum Carolyn joined him to collect his results and was delighted with his achievements.
She said: “I’m so proud of Thomas. He’s absolutely smashed it. He came to college and has done so well – and today he can celebrate however he wants!”
Thomas initially planned to spend just one year at West Notts before returning to his previous college in Nottingham but has since changed his mind.
He added: “I’m staying here now. I’ve enjoyed creative media and can see myself carrying on with it. In the future, I’d probably like a creative office job or perhaps freelance work.
“I could see myself going to university too – there are lots of different directions I could go in.”
Thomas Wilkinson, pictured with mum Carolyn, exceeded his expectations with a grade 7 in GCSE English and a grade 5 in maths to go with a double distinction in his diploma in creative media skills.
After spending many years raising her family, 46-year-old Katarzyna Mazurek decided to return to education, and her efforts were rewarded with a grade 7 in GCSE maths and grade 5 in English.
Originally from Poland and now living in Mansfield, Katarzyna moved to England in 2007. Having previously completed Functional Skills qualifications and a mental health course at the college, she decided to take the next step with GCSEs.
She said: “I’m really pleased and proud of myself, especially with the grade 7 in maths.
“I spent years raising my children and being a homemaker. When they grew older and became more independent, I decided to get some qualifications for myself.
“English was sometimes difficult because it isn’t my first language, particularly interpreting some of the language. My tutor Josh understood and was always helpful and encouraging, sending me additional materials to study.”
Katarzyna has enrolled on an AAT accounting course at West Notts College, while looking for part-time work. Her ultimate goal is an accounting apprenticeship.
She added: "My daughters will be very happy with my results. My eldest is 17 and studying A Levels, while my youngest is 12, so I think they’ll be proud of me."
English teacher Josh Ludlam said: “Katarzyna has worked so hard over the last few years. I met her when she studied her Functional Skills, which she passed, and she’s got that grade 5 today in GCSE English, which is incredible.
“It’s a real testament to her hard work and it’s been lovely to see her grow as a person. I’m really proud of Katarzyna and excited to see her move on to her goal of becoming an accountant.”
Katarzyna Mazurek, pictured with teacher Josh Ludlam, is proud of herself after achieving a grade 7 in GCSE maths and a grade 5 in English, meaning she can advance to the AAT accounting course at the college.
Returning to the classroom proved it is never too late to improve on past results for 48-year-old Vicky Bradley, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, who was thrilled to achieve a grade 7 in GCSE English.
Vicky has been self-employed for many years, including running a photography business for around two decades. When photography work became quieter, she began considering a change of direction and a return to education.
Having originally achieved a grade D in English at school, Vicky knew improving her qualification could open doors to further study.
She said: “I wanted to prove to myself that I could still do it and achieve better than when I was younger, so getting a 7 is crazy. I honestly can’t believe it.
“The exam really shocked me. There was so much writing in such a short time and I was still writing in the last 30 seconds. I love words and like time to read and digest things, but there wasn’t time. It felt like a whirlwind, so I really wasn’t sure what my result would be.”
Vicky, who now also runs a mobile coffee business from a horsebox, praised her teacher Deborah Giles.
She added: “The teaching was fantastic. Deborah was absolutely brilliant and I’m so grateful. I’m very proud of myself and my three children will be proud of me too. Whatever happens next, I’ve got this qualification in the bag.”
There will be plenty of opportunity to celebrate. Vicky and sister Joanne, both die-hard fans of legendary band The Cure, are heading to Manchester to see the band this week before Vicky celebrates her 49th birthday at the weekend.
She said: “We’re big fans and have been for years, so it’s going to be a good weekend of fun!”
Vicky Bradley (left) was joined by sister Joanne Henton in celebrating her grade 7 in GCSE English – which she aspired to get, to prove she could do better than her school days.
For Eden Muir, gaining grade 4 passes in both GCSE English and maths represents a new beginning and the achievement of qualifications she was unable to take at school.
The 22-year-old, from Mansfield Woodhouse, had performed strongly in her mock exams at school, but personal issues during Years 10 and 11 meant she did not sit her GCSE exams.
“I didn’t get the opportunity to do this when I was younger, so now I’ve come back and actually got that accomplishment for myself,” she said.
After leaving secondary education, Eden gained experience in a range of roles, including domiciliary care and working in bars and hotels, and now runs her own cleaning business.
Alongside her work, she is also raising her 18-month-old daughter Alora, making her decision to resume her education another significant commitment.
Eden admitted she thought she could have performed even more strongly but was pleased to have achieved the qualifications she had set out to gain.
She said: “I think I could have done a bit better, but I am happy with these grades. I did quite a lot of revision in between when my daughter was asleep.”
The results will support Eden as she begins the next stage of her journey, having been accepted to study law at the University of Sheffield in September. She hopes eventually to work in either corporate or criminal law.
“I can’t wait, I’m so excited. I’ve got big plans for myself,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to go into law, so I’m quite proud that I’ve managed to get my foot in the door.”
For Eden Muir, getting grade 4s in both GCSE English and maths means she can now pursue a degree in law at the University of Sheffield, with a view to becoming a lawyer one day.
Eighteen-year-old Katy Coupe, from Chesterfield, is celebrating achieving the GCSE English grade she wanted in order to progress towards her ambition of designing aircraft.
Katy achieved a grade 4 in the subject after previously gaining a grade 3 at school. This came just one week after she achieved an overall distinction in her Level 3 Engineering qualification. She said achieving the GCSE had been particularly significant because of the challenges she faces with reading and concentration.
“It was massive because, with having learning disabilities, it’s really hard for me to be able to sit down and concentrate as well as read,” said Katy. “I’ve started to enjoy reading again thanks to my English teacher, and it’s amazing to get this grade.”
Having been worried she might not pass, Katy was relieved to discover her hard work had paid off.
“I was nervous because I didn’t think I was going to pass it, so it was great to achieve this grade,” she said.
“I’ve worked hard for it. I’ve always been the first one in class and then the last one to leave, and I did extra work at home. It’s all been worth it.”
Katy will now progress to a Level 4 HNC in Aeronautical Engineering at Lincoln College, taking her another step towards her ambition of working in aircraft design.
She said: “I’m extremely excited. I’ve always wanted to work with planes ever since I did a work experience at CV Electronics in Year 10, and it really helped me find out that I wanted to go into engineering.”
Katy said her time at West Notts College had broadened her understanding of the opportunities available within engineering, while also strengthening her determination to specialise in aeronautical engineering.
“The two-year college programme has fuelled my appetite and shown me that there are so many area I can branch off into within engineering,” she said.
“College has been amazing. The staff have been completely supportive of me.”
Kay Coupe’s grade 4 in GCSE English and distinction in Level 3 Engineering sees her all set for going to Lincoln College to study a Level 4 HNC in Aeronautical Engineering.
Principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley MBE said: “Congratulations to our GCSE and Level 2 technical and vocational students celebrating their results after many months of hard work and dedication.
“Success in these subjects takes real commitment, particularly for those balancing GCSE studies alongside their main programme of learning, work responsibilities or family life.
“GCSE English and maths remain essential qualifications for progression into further study, apprenticeships and employment, so it’s wonderful to see so many learners reaching the important benchmark of grade 4 or above.
“I also commend those who have gained Level 2 qualifications in BTEC, City & Guilds and T Level Foundation programmes. Their achievements provide a strong platform for future study and reflect the effort they have shown throughout the year.
“My sincere thanks to our fantastic teachers and wider college teams for their commitment to helping students achieve these important milestones and progress towards their future goals.
“Every student receiving their results today should be extremely proud of themselves.
“I’m delighted that many will continue their studies with us in September, and I wish those moving on to employment, apprenticeships or higher-level study every success in the future.”
Anybody interested in studying at the college should visit www.wnc.ac.uk or call 0808 100 3626.
Click the video below to see some of our students opening their results at the Derby Road campus: