Oxford awaits for clever classmates Niamh and Daisy

Niamh Ward and Daisy Simpson-Talmer have seen their dreams come true and will be heading to the "dreaming spires" and one of the world’s leading universities to study English Language and Literature.

Former Marsden Heights Community College student Niamh (18) achieved A*AA in English Literature, English Language and Media Studies while Daisy, also 18, and formerly of Ss John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School gained AAAB grades in English Language, English Literature, Spanish and history.

Both students have faced an anxious wait for even longer than usual on news of their grades, after face-to-face learning stopped during March. Both are now delighted to be pursuing their respective passions.

Niamh said: “I’m thrilled with my achievements and I can’t wait to progress to Oxford. I’ve loved my time at college.

“The extracurricular programme offered provides you with a brilliant opportunity to relieve yourself of some stress and take a break from revision.

"I have been part of the Pre-Professional Journalism programme and the Book Club while at college, and I also had the chance to complete an Extended Project Qualification on female representations in literary fairy tales (classic and modern).

“I was also part of the Pendle Elite programme with college from my time at secondary school, which supported me in applying to Oxford. I haven’t chosen my exact career goal, however, I do know that I would like to go into an English based career.”

Daisy said: “I’m so relieved to secure my place and I’m excited to be progressing to Oxford. I found the people at Oxford were friendly, and I felt comfortable and at home there when I visited.

“To keep busy and my mind going during the lockdown period, I have been working through my reading list in preparation for starting, which has been great as I love reading. I also wanted to keep up my Spanish so I have been balancing an online language course with teaching my seven-year-old sister, who is learning from home, which has been an interesting experience.

“In terms of a career, I think I might like to go into the media, although I also love writing creatively, so I'm somewhere between those two at the minute.”

Nelson and Colne College has recorded an A Level pass rate of 99% in 2020. There has been no dip in the number of A Level students achieving A*-C grades at Nelson and Colne College, remaining at 80%, with 55% achieving A*-B grades and 25% achieving coveted A*-A grades.

It is also one of the leading colleges nationally across a range of academic measures – 16-18 classroom learner achievement, 16-18 Advanced Apprenticeship timely achievement, A Level progress and GCSE mathematics and English progress.