£9k tuition fees not putting off South Cumbria's students
Last updated at 14:57, Sunday, 19 August 2012
STUDENTS have been congratulated on their A-Level achievements.
Cumbria County Council has said the county is on course to see a small increase this year on the number of students achieving higher grades.
The authority’s cabinet member for schools and learning, Councillor Duncan Fairbairn, said the picture was very pleasing and testament to students’ “commitment and hard work.”
Cllr Fairbairn said: “In recognising their successes we must also praise the support these students will have had from their teachers and parents throughout the exam process. I thank them all and would like to congratulate everyone involved.”
This year’s increase in university tuition fees, up to a maximum of £9,000, did not appear to be putting off school and college leavers across the Furness, South Lakes and Millom area.
But over the last few years the apprenticeship and trainee schemes have grown in popularity.
Two happy Barrow A-Level achievers told how they were delighted to have secured highly sought-after apprenticeship places with GlaxoSmithKline.
Joshua Fitzgerald, 18, gained three Bs at Barrow Sixth Form College and deferred a pharmacy place at the University of Central Lancashire, in favour of becoming a laboratory analyst apprentice with GSK in Ulverston.
He said: “It’s a fantastic global company to be working for. I’m really excited about starting with GSK.”
Chetwyde’s Hannah Bell, 18, achieved one A and two Bs and is starting a business apprenticeship with GSK,
She said: “I was not really sure if university was the right decision for me. I’m more suited to learning in a work based environment.
“I’m so excited about starting at Glaxo, I’m honoured to be working for such a good company.”
Both Joshua and Hannah hope to complete university level study with GSK.
Juliette Servante, 18, of Woodland, achieved three A*s at Barrow Sixth Form and will study medicine at Nottingham University.
She said: “I just wasn’t expecting that.
“A lot of my friends got university offers straight away, but with medicine you have to wait for ages.
“I’m really excited about university. I didn’t let myself think about it.”
First published at 13:15, Sunday, 19 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
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This is a good deal of misunderstanding about the tuition fees system though. Media misinformation has fed through somewhat.
For example, potential students unaware of how the debt is recorded on their credit file. There are some useful recent attempts (like this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFOhzCCEtzc&feature=plcp) to rectify the situation.Posted by Mike Hartley on 20 August 2012 at 14:18