Students overcome barriers to pass qualifications

Parents from Swindon have said how "very, very proud" they are of their autistic son after he managed to get the grades he needed to go to university.

Tony Wykes from Swindon said his son Elijah had to resit his exams this year, but praised his college for its "second to none" support.

Elijah passed courses in environmental sciences, sociology and applied science, joining his previous qualification in psychology.

Mr Wykes said: "Considering his uphill battles in life, he's done really well."

Kerry and Tony Wykes said they are 'very, very proud' of their son

His mother, Kerry, said Elijah was "over the moon", and would hopefully be attending University of West of England in Bristol.

She said of Swindon College staff: "I can't praise them enough, they've been absolutely immense with him."

Reflecting on how they felt, Mr Wykes added he'd "shed a little tear" but ultimately was "very, very proud" of Elijah. saying his success illustrated his determination

Natasha Owen was the only woman on her construction course

Elsewhere, students were also opening their T-Level results - qualifications which combine study with placements.

Natasha Owen, 18, from Bridgwater and Taunton College in Somerset, studied a T-Level in design, surveying, planning and construction - and was the only woman on her course.

She said she was "quite confident" ahead of opening her results on Thursday, but had already got herself a job as a trainee site manager in Bristol, thanks to her course - also making her the only woman on the site.

Ms Owen said she chose the course due to the placement element of it, adding "a lot of employers really like seeing you have work experience".

Ultimately, she wants to go to university to study construction management, and progress her career.

She said her message to women wanting to go into construction is: "It's so much more than laying bricks and getting your hands dirty - there's a whole other side to it."