GCSEs in England are being reformed and will be graded with a new scale from 9 to 1, with 9 being the highest grade. English literature, English language and maths will be the first subjects to be graded in this way from August 2017. The subjects with the highest numbers of candidates (e.g. arts, humanities, languages) will follow in 2018 and most others in 2019. This is happening as GCSEs are being reformed to make them more challenging, to keep pace with employers’ and universities demands.

In the first year each new GCSE subject is introduced, students who would have got a grade C or better will get a grade 4 or better. Students who would have got a grade A or better will get a 7 or better in the first year. Grade 9 will be more difficult to achieve than a grade A*. The extra top grade will also make it easier for employers and universities to distinguish between the most able students.

In 2017, students collecting their results will receive a mixture of the old style grades and the new numerical system. By 2019, all pupils will be graded with a 9-1.

Students currently taking GCSEs as part of a full-time study programme at Northampton College will be graded using the current A* to G system in summer 2017. Part-time or evening students will be amongst the first to receive the numbered grades.

To see how the numbered grades compare to the current A* to G system, click here or Google "Ofqual 9 to 1 postcard". More information about when subjects will switch to the new grades is available on the Ofqual website here.

Find out more about how grades will be awarded by watching this short animation.

Adam Fitch studied digital film making (HND) at Northampton College and now owns and run his own film making company in Northamptonshire.

The 28-year-old, whose main focus in music videos, credits the College with his choice of career, which now takes him all across the world.

“When I signed up for digital film making I never thought I would actually choose it as a career,” said Adam, whose company is called Incline Creative Media. “My intention was to do the course, enjoy it and then do a top up year at university to become a primary school teacher.

“Within the first few months though I had a dramatic u turn. I loved everything about film making, rented College equipment at weekends, made contacts in the film world and bought all my own gear so I could take on an increasing amount of freelance work.”

So successful was Adam that even during his two year HND course, which he started aged 23, he was commissioned to work on projects in California and all across the UK.

“Before joining Northampton College I was doing all kinds of manual work but nothing that excited me,” said Adam. “I couldn’t get a job I really wanted and knew I needed qualifications to make a real change. After my HND I did a top up year at The University of Northampton to get a degree, something I wanted to have as a back-up.”

Adam set up Incline Creative Media a year ago. His most recent project has been shooting a short documentary in America about a transgender man preparing for surgery.

Adam said: “I hope this will be aired in the UK so watch this space. Film making is so rewarding. The money is great, the freedom is amazing and I get to travel all over the world. What more could I want?”

Get ready for Skills Fest - an amazing free event designed to showcase a range of exciting careers.

Drop in for advice and guidance!

Saturday, 11 March 2017, 10am - 1pm.

• Take part in up to two 45 minute masterclasses at 10.45am and 12pm from a choice of more than 20 specialist sessions at Booth Lane or try out a programme of activities in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy at Lower Mounts (see below for a full list of the masterclasses that will be available on the day.)
• Talk to staff for general advice and guidance (anytime between 10am and 1pm) on all course areas including Apprenticeships, the A Level Academy and Higher Education - you can access advice even if you would rather not sign up for a masterclass this time
• Enjoy a free hot dog or pizza slice in our fabulous student refectory

To book your place please click on one of the links below. Numbers for each masterclass are restricted to 20 so parents will also need to book.

• Booth Lane Northampton, NN3 3RF
• Lower Mounts Northampton, NN1 3DE (for Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy).

Booth Lane

1. Bring your cupcakes to life with chocolate emojis
2. Sing songs from the shows with our musical theatre workshop
3. Learn the art of printing using traditional print press techniques
4. Show off your presenting skills in a live radio show broadcast
5. Use digital effects to bring the Tardis to Northampton College
6. Create your own music track in our studios
7. Drumming workshop
8. Put yourself to the test with our climbing wall
9. Fitness test
10. Try some fun and games to find out what children learn when they play
11. Grab your scrubs and prepare for surgery (operation not included!)
12. Get some investment for your big idea in our Dragons’ Den
13. Use real scientific theories to predict a volcanic eruption
14. Touch up your car with our spray effects masterclass
15. Keep your car on the road with our vehicle servicing and performance checks
16. Wire up a domestic lighting circuit in our interactive electrical workshop
17. Create the perfect weld joint with our virtual welding simulator
18. Use your engineering skills to make a keyring with our 3D printer
19. Photo editing for beginners
20. Have fun with the English language in our catchphrase challenge
21. Mean Maths – hard core challenges for Maths enthusiasts
22. 'Donald Trump’s America’ – sample our History, Psychology and Sociology A Levels in a series of interactive workshops
23. Cook-up a storm and try out your fiery flambé skills
24. Introduction to darkroom photography
25. Insight into accounting - making your business add up

 Lower Mounts

1. Learn the latest braid and plait styles in our hairdressing workshop
2. Perform the perfect manicure with soothing hand and arm massage