Two Braintree colleges saw A-level success this year, with Tabor Academy seeing its best-ever results.

Many students from Tabor will be progressing to university in September, with the highest number of students ever having secured their first choices.

Student Holly was delighted to achieve three A grades, which earned her a spot at Oxford University to study History.

She said: “I am completely overwhelmed. I know I have got into Oxford, but I don’t really think it has sunk in yet.”

Meanwhile, James, who achieved an A and two Bs, was offered his first choice of course at University College London to study History and Politics of the Americas.

He said: “I’m really pleased I got into my first choice of university. It was hard work and I had lots of support.”

Headteacher Sarah Speller said: “Everyone at Tabor would like to extend huge congratulations to all our Sixth Form students this year.

“I am extremely proud of the students at Tabor. Both the staff and students hard work, dedication and commitment has paid off. We are so excited for the future of our students and for those that are joining us in the sixth form this September.”

Meanwhile, media students at the Braintree branch of Colchester Institute also saw am impressive year of results.

Among Digital Media students, 56 per cent received the top Distinction grades, with a high volume of them set to progress onto degree-level study.

Catering and Hospitality also had a high-flying year, with a 95 per cent pass rate, whilst Health and Social Care saw this figure at 90 per cent.

Digital Media students highlighted the creative freedom element of the course, which they felt has helped them to excel in their projects.

Louise Rummel, who was amongst those Distinction students said: “It’s been really good, the tutors are amazing, they are beyond belief.

“It’s opened up so many new pathways that I didn’t even know existed and avenues that I didn’t know I could go down.

“It’s given me industry knowledge and I’ve learnt new skills. It’s set me up well for university.”

Louise has decided to stay local and study Fine Art at University Centre Colchester, she then hopes to do a Master’s and a PhD.

Heather Hamilton, a fellow Digital Media student who received a Distinction for her first project, said: “I would definitely recommend the course because the teaching here is amazing. The equipment is astonishing and everyone here is lovely.

“When I leave college, I would like to go to university to study Cinematography.”

Colchester Institute is the largest vocational college in Essex and with bases in locations including Braintree, Clacton and Dovercourt as well as its main campus in Sheepen Road, Colchester.

Across the UK, the number of students progressing onto university with a BTEC qualification is on the rise.

Approximately one in four students who are accepted to university hold a BTEC qualification, with 95% of universities around the country now accepting BTEC students.

The extensive practical, real-life experience that students leave College with is an attractive aspect in many personal statements, making them a strong candidate for university and for work.