‘Incredibly proud’: Luton students celebrate A-Level and BTec results | A-Levels

BWhen Yasser Imlahi Iallouchen arrived to collect his BTec results on Thursday morning, he was so nervous he could barely breathe. “I felt like I was going to cry, throw up or collapse. I was so worried and so scared because it is something that will affect my future,” he said.

Imlahi Iallouchen had to achieve a DDD in his BTec in Biomedical Sciences – the equivalent of three A grades at A-level – to be accepted into Queen Mary University of London, where he wanted to study.

“I was scared and shaking. I didn't know what to do… but when I opened it and saw what I was expecting, I was happy. I felt a huge sense of relief.” In September he will begin his degree in marketing and management with a year in industry.

Imlahi Iallouchen was one of more than 1,200 students at Luton Sixth Form College (LSC) to collect their A-level and BTec results, and one of thousands across the country celebrating top grades. At LSC, the country's oldest college, around 60% of students study a combination of A-level and BTec.

Mohammad Danyaal Asif, 18, could barely speak, he was so stunned by his A-level grades in maths, chemistry and physics. “I'm just so shocked,” he said. “This is better than I needed.” Now he is following in his older brother's footsteps and going to the University of Hertfordshire, where he will study aerospace engineering.

His mother, Adeeba Asif, said she was “incredibly proud” of her son. “He deserves it because he's worked really hard for two years, really hard. Even in his GCSEs he worked hard. We supported him the whole time and it's all been worth it for him. He wants to be a pilot one day and we just couldn't be prouder.”

While many at the college were delighted with their results, others were a little disappointed. Lina Bounab missed her first offer to study Law and Politics at Queen Mary after achieving grades A*, A and C. She should have gotten three As. “When I applied to UCAS, I had an unconditional offer [from Queen Mary]but with significant changes. I thought: What could it be?

“I was a little disappointed, I can't deny that, but now I've had time to reflect and I think this is a good way forward, so I'm definitely happy,” she said. “Any student who got results today can be proud of themselves,” she added. “I am.”

Although figures show that many young people have achieved the highest A-level grades and vocational qualifications this year, the attainment gap between the least and most disadvantaged 18-year-olds in England has widened, and the same is true of regional entry rates.

Altaf Hussain, principal and chief executive of Luton Sixth Form College, expressed hope that the Labour government would reconsider its decision to cut funding for the BTecs programme, as he said it would have an impact on social mobility.

“Not everyone is prepared for the Abitur, and many of our students complete various degrees and then go on to study. So last year we were in the top 15% of universities that create value. [higher education] Progress. That said, BTecs and A-Levels work and I'm really disappointed that we still can't have three options, T-Levels, A-Levels, BTecs, so that you give people a real choice based on their own particular needs and abilities,” he said. “I think T-Levels have an absolutely good place in business but they would have fit comfortably alongside the very successful BTecs.”

The college won't know what will happen to the BTecs until December, but it will still welcome students for the new academic year in September. “It's going to be a difficult information and consultation process for young people who want clarity in their decision-making,” said Hussain.

When asked how he planned to celebrate tonight, Imlahi Iallouchen said: “Sleep!” His first priority was to tell his parents the good news and then “go home and sleep. I haven’t slept yet!”