One of Northampton College’s largest-ever GCSE cohorts has resulted in thousands of students securing the qualifications they need to progress into further study, apprenticeships and employment.
Across the 2025/26 academic year, the College supported 1,750 GCSE English entries and 1,885 GCSE maths entries – a combined total of 3,635 entries.
The scale of participation reflects Northampton College’s continued commitment to improving core English and maths outcomes and ensuring learners have the essential skills and qualifications they need for their next steps.
Among students who sat their exams, 96.4 per cent achieved a graded outcome in English, while 96.2 per cent achieved a graded outcome in maths. The proportion achieving the key grade 4+ threshold also improved slightly in both subjects year-on-year..
Principal Jason Lancaster said the results demonstrated the College’s commitment to supporting learners from a wide range of backgrounds to achieve their potential.
He said: “We are extremely proud of the commitment shown by our students and staff throughout the year. Supporting more than 3,600 English and maths GCSE entries is a significant undertaking, and these results demonstrate the hard work that has gone into helping our learners achieve positive outcomes.
“Alongside these achievements, it is particularly important to us that our approach remains inclusive. Some of our most vulnerable students and those who were at risk of becoming NEET have achieved their first positive examination results, while others have secured grade 4+ outcomes which open the door to further study, apprenticeships and university-level programmes.
“We have also seen a 100 per cent pass rate among returning adult learners in English and maths GCSE, which is a fantastic achievement and shows that it is never too late to return to education and gain the qualifications needed to progress.”
The College has continued to develop its employer-endorsed Digital and NC Skills programmes, which are designed to equip learners with the practical skills needed for employment and further progression.
Deputy Principal Joanne Philpott added: “Our Digital and NC Skills programmes are an important part of our inclusive approach, helping students develop the skills employers need while supporting the priorities set out in our Local Skills Improvement Plan and the Government’s ambition to help more young people move successfully into employment.
“For many of our learners, achieving a GCSE can be the catalyst to unlocking their next opportunity – whether that is a higher-level course, an apprenticeship, university or employment.
“These results give our students a strong platform to build on, and we are delighted to see so many learners achieving outcomes that will help them take their next steps with confidence.”
Students receiving their GCSE results and considering their options for the next academic year can access advice and guidance from Northampton College about the range of courses and progression opportunities available with a series of in-person sessions available to book online.
For more information about courses available at Northampton College from this September, visit www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk.
