GCSE students at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) have been celebrating a successful end to the academic year.

The college achieved a 86.9 per cent pass rate for GCSE English and a 88 per cent pass rate for GCSE maths.

As well as offering a wide range of hands-on vocational courses, BCoT gives students the opportunity to re-sit GCSE English and maths if they have not achieved a minimum of a grade 4 previously at school.

Gabriel Mingati D Pereira is celebrating a 4 in English. He completed his English GCSE after taking the college’s ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages) course.

READ MORE: Pupils across North Hampshire receive GCSE results

He joined the college five years ago and after moving the area from Brazil, speaking very little English. Through hard work and perseverance, he completed all the courses on a part-time basis and now aims to study sport at Chichester University.

He said: “BCoT probably saved my life. I did not have a place when I came here aged 16. At the time, I didn’t really know what to do, but then I came here, and they accepted me. The courses were very challenging at the beginning, but I made friends and with the teachers support, I have learnt so much. I’m so happy to receive these grades, and I am looking forward to the future.”

The college offers the two courses on a part-time basis, with daytime and evening courses available to any mature students who require a GCSE in either English or maths.

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Anthony Bravo, principal of BCoT, said: “I would like to congratulate all of our GCSE students who have received their results today. The dedication and hard work they have shown throughout their studies has been amazing and I would like to wish them the best of luck for their next steps on their education journey.

“I would also like to thank our English and maths lecturers for all their hard work this year and for ensuring our students receive a supported and personalised learning experience, to help them reach their goals.”