Settled nerves at college on A-level results day

Gabriel Fay will study Egyptology and archaeology at the University of Liverpool, after receiving his results

Students at a Shropshire college have been sharing their excitement for the future after months of hard work - and some jangled nerves - paid off on A-level results day.

Among them were Maddie Bethwaite, Maya Newton, and Gabriel Fay, who, all 18, have secured places at their preferred universities after sitting their exams at Telford College.

In England this year, the proportion of A-levels marked at A* and A was 27.6%, up from 26.5% in 2023.

"I was pretty nervous - I'd found out I was getting into Liverpool [university] but I just didn't know what I'd got," said Mr Fay, who will study Egyptology and archaeology.

He studied chemistry, history, psychology, and criminology, receiving two B's, a C, and a D.

"It's been really nice, there's been a lot of support," he said of his time at the college, adding he was excited to go to university.

"It's just a fresh start, and a brand new beginning," he said.

"My family were ecstatic for me."

Maddie Bethwaite (left), and Maya Newton, both got into their preferred universities

Maddie Bethwaite sat exams in fine art, photography, and media, and will attend Birmingham City University to study fine art.

"I was really nervous, I was hoping for three A*s, but I got two A's and a B, which I'm still happy with," she said.

"I'll hopefully go on to maybe be my own self-supporting artist, maybe working in the industry.

"I'm just really excited to carry on learning about a subject that I find really interesting."

Maya Newton studied physics, maths, and media, and will study maths at the University of Liverpool.

"I got an A in maths, so I'm really happy with that, I did better in media than I thought I would, and I got into the uni I wanted to," she said.

"I've told my parents - my mum was more emotional than I was."