Learning Zone pays off

10:20am Monday 18th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

THERE were celebrations at the Macclesfield Learning Zone on A Level results day as the first group of students from the impressive, new campus collected their results.

At the campus’ Learning Zone Sixth Form College (LZ6), students were rewarded for their hard work with some excellent AS and A2 Level grades, and high standards were also set by LZ6 students successfully achieving BTEC National Diplomas – the vocational equivalent to A Levels.

Those LZ6 students collecting their A2 results started their A Level studies two years ago at Henbury High School, moving to the new campus mid-way through their course. When the £38million Macclesfield Learning Zone came into operation last September it signalled a new era of education in Macclesfield and a national first in terms of collaboration.

LZ6 is a joint sixth form for Macclesfield High School, Macclesfield College and Park Lane Special School.

Out of this year’s A2 Level results there were many outstanding student performances, with 100 per cent pass rates achieved in subjects such as chemistry, English language, English literature, geography, history, maths, ICT, physics, psychology, sport studies, fine art, drama, product design and business studies.

The success continued at AS Level with students such as Charlotte Caulfield and Nicholas Taylor also achieving three or four straight A grades.

Adults studying part-time at Macclesfield College for A Levels in modern foreign languages also performed well, with 100 per cent pass rates achieved in AS French, AS & A2 Italian and AS & A2 German.

LZ6 students on vocational courses achieved Macclesfield’s best ever results, with 100 per cent pass rates for BTEC National Diplomas in: engineering aerospace studies (UAE), graphic design, art & design, business, IT practitioners and care. Subjects with pass rates of 90 per cent and over included: sport and travel & tourism. There was a particularly outstanding achievement by the BTEC National Diploma Business students, 70 per cent of whom achieved triple distinction grades, equivalent to three A Level Grade As.

There were also other students across the campus who successfully achieved level three vocational or occupational awards, such as in the college’s School of Creative Studies where a 100 per cent pass rate was achieved by students on the NVQ3 course in hairdressing.

Many students from the Learning Zone’s A Level, vocational and Access to Higher Education courses are going on to study at a wide range of universities across the country.

Deputy Head of LZ6, Jonathan Disley, congratulated this year’s students on their performance.

“We are delighted for everyone who has done well in their A Level exams, along with those who have also achieved success with vocational qualifications this academic year,” he said, “and we wish them every success with their continued university education or career.”

Ged Ward, headteacher at Macclesfield High School, praised everyone for their efforts.

"I would like to pay tribute to all our students for their dedication and motivation,” said Mr Ward.

Macclesfield College principal, Wendy Wright, also commented on the success of LZ6: “We’ve enjoyed a record number of 16-18 year old applicants to LZ6 and the college – rising by 25 per cent last year and increasing once again this year for courses starting this September.”