Black and mixed-race students at some of London’s top colleges are heading to university after achieving their A Levels in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Many students at City and Islington College (CANDI) and Westminster Kingsway College (WestKing) attained high grades in their results, which were estimated after exams were cancelled due to Covid-19.

Aleesha Johnston, 18, achieved two A*s in English and Spanish and an A in Sociology and is heading to the University of Manchester to study Linguistics and Sociology.

She said: “I’m really happy. I did well during the year and got three As in my mocks, but I was really anxious after seeing what was going on in Scotland and didn’t know how it was going to pan out. I’m so glad I got the grades I needed.

“It’s been a strange situation. No one could tell what it was going to be like, but our teachers did their best and just told us to keep going as if the exams were still going ahead. They were very passionate about their subjects, and that really helped.”

Adam Mohamoud, 18, attained an A* in Maths, B in Chemistry and C in Physics and is going to Queen Mary University of London to study Chemical Engineering.

He said: “I’m good at maths and chemistry, and enjoy problem solving. I put that together and chemical engineering looked like a good career, and I am looking forward to learning more about it at university.

“During lockdown I tried to treat it like regular school and I was still studying for an actual exam. It was similar to doing homework, just there was more of it. The communication between the teachers was great and they were able to answer my questions and give me feedback.”

Nikola Banton, 18, received two As in Business Studies and Sociology, and a B in Media Studies and is going to the University of Essex to study a degree in Social Work. She said: “I was a bit nervous, but now I’ve got my grades it’s a relief. My mum was happy and has been calling everyone!

“Studying in lockdown was a bit weird at first but it didn’t last long. The teaching was good, especially sociology. As soon as we went to remote lessons the teachers were quick to provide the resources for us to study and revise.”

CANDI and WestKing are part of Capital City College Group (CCCG), London’s largest college group. The Group also includes the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) and an apprenticeship provider Capital City College Training (CCCT).

Victoria Howarth, Curriculum Director for A Levels, Engineering and Science at WestKing, said: “I congratulate all our students on their results as they move onto the next chapter of their lives, whether that’s another course with us, studying at university, starting a job, or an apprenticeship.

CANDI Principal Kurt Hintz said: “I am enormously proud of the perseverance shown by our students in continuing their studies online throughout lockdown. In this most challenging year, they have demonstrated their resilience and maturity.”

Alongside its A Level provision, CCCG also runs courses in Accounting, Business, IT, Construction, Engineering, Science, English and Maths, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Healthcare, Childcare, Hair and Beauty, Music and Performing Arts, Public Services, Sport and Teaching.

All these courses are free for 16-18s and up to Level 2 for adults.

Free short courses are also available up to study at up to Level 3.
For courses at CANDI visit www.candi.ac.uk/school-leavers-alevels/
For courses at WestKing visit www.westking.ac.uk/courses/hospitality-and-culinary-arts/353
For courses at CONEL visit www.conel.ac.uk/