SPOTLIGHT ON GCSE RESITS AT HNC: SUCCESS IN SECURING PASSPORT QUALIFICATIONS
30.06.2025As the summer exam series for GCSE students draws to a close, HNC is sharing more about the experiences of students who are resitting GCSEs at HNC, and shining a spotlight on how the HNC experience has helped them to secure this vital passport qualification.
HNC is a dedicated Level 3 provider, but our Applied Pathway does allow students to re-sit GCSE English Language or GCSE Mathematics, subject to them have securing a grade 3 in their GCSEs. Our GCSE resit programme secures incredible results significantly above the national average. GCSE Maths and English is a ‘passport qualification’, and vital to progression to both university and into employment.
As we approach GCSE results day when our current cohort of Year 12 students will see their hard work pay off, and our incoming new Year 12 will receive their results, we are sharing more about how our unique approach saw 81% of students resitting their GCSE English secure a grade 4 or above just a few weeks into College when they took their exam in the November resit.
Students enjoy some unique experiences, including a top favourite, the ‘Lego lesson’, where students use Lego as part of their learning. Students studying to re-sit GCSE English are also assessed in the first few weeks of term so that teachers can gain a genuine understanding of where the barriers for achieving success for each individual lays. Our case studies below share more.
Haider, who joined the College in September 2024 with a grade 3 in English Language, shares “When I joined the College I knew that I needed to do well in my GCSE English re-sit – it’s essential to have a pass or above for university, work or an apprenticeship. The methods of teaching at HNC were interesting and varied, which helped me to concentrate in class, and the support was helpful. My teacher reviewed my work regularly to show me where I could make improvements. I sat my re-sit in November last year and I am delighted that I achieved a grade 7. This will absolutely support my future career ambitions, and I am so glad I persevered”.
Chloe, who sat her GCSE English re-sit recently, adds “I found the smaller class sizes at HNC beneficial to helping me understand the content as I was able to concentrate better. I felt that I went into my GCSE exam this time much more confidently than before because I felt like I had the time to prepare as I used my free periods at College for revision and planning – I know that this is an essential subject and that the skills I have developed will support my future career”.
Jan Kikezos, teacher of GCSE English Language, comments “Students who join HNC with a GCSE English Language with a grade 3 do so due to a wide variety of factors, but we passionately believe that every student has the ability to secure a grade 4 or above. We know that sometimes students arrive having experienced challenges in this subject, or they have lost motivation. We supportively challenge each and every student to determine the way we can support them. Some will really benefit from additional teaching, while for others we need to reignite their passion for this wonderful subject. Whatever students need, they are always involved in shaping their lessons. I am always impressed by the resilience and determination shown by the students who come to us and re-sit a GCSE alongside their full-time Applied course, and I look forward to this hard work paying off on GCSE Results Day.”
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