Stressful times for our students

The publication of A level results last Thursday and GSCE results yesterday always means lots of nervous young people and lots of anxious parents.

Last Thursday I was at Nelson and Colne College and yesterday I was at Colne Primet Academy as our young people received their results.

Bizarrely, even when you are not expecting any results for yourself or a family member you still share the dread of those awaiting their results.

You have flashbacks to your own results day and the joys and sorrows that follow.

Thankfully, the vast majority of our young people at schools across the borough did exceptionally well and Nelson and Colne College students achieved a 100% pass rate with A* grades at a record level.

Many of the A Level students I spoke to are now off to university and I was pleased to see an analysis of university acceptances by UCAS which showed an eight per cent increase in the number of disadvantaged students getting into university.

While there is still more work to be done, it is great to see the gap in participation between the most and least advantaged young people is narrowing.

Also worthy of a mention in the past few days was the police’s community fun day at Holt House in Colne.

While the police have a very tough job dealing with serious issues across Pendle, which I have seen first-hand when I have joined them on patrol, it is also important that they try different ways of engaging with the public.

Last week’s event, which gave residents an insight into their work as well as providing a fun activity during the school holidays, was therefore a great initiative that should be applauded.

Well done, Lancashire Police!