Blackpool and The Fylde College continues to deliver on career-focused qualifications for school leavers
Published on 14/08/2025 by
Whilst A levels might still be seen as the default route for school leavers looking to progress to university or into highly paid employment, students at Blackpool and The Fylde College are once again proving that there are other qualifications, widely accepted by universities, that could be an even better choice when it comes to career progression. This year has seen a 66% growth in the number of students taking T levels at B&FC underlining their rising popularity. The overall pass rate has increased as has the number of students achieving high grades, which has gone up from 59% to 63%.
Indeed, this year’s cohort of students graduating with T levels and with BTEC Level 3 extended diplomas (both of which carry the same potential UCAS points as A levels) are looking forward to bright futures with places on degree courses, apprenticeships and full-time employment all in the mix.
Alun Francis OBE, Chief Executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College, said: “We have just published our Strategic Plan for the next five years, at the heart of which is our vision to set the standard in technical education. These qualifications offer our students the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will set them on the path to vibrant future and we are absolutely delighted that so many of them are here today celebrating another set of exceptional results.”
Results across the board are an improvement on last year’s with 50% of all T level courses at the College achieving a 100% pass rate. Construction students have performed particularly well, especially in Design, Surveying and Planning where students not only achieved a perfect pass rate but 94% received a high grade or above (equivalent to 3 B grades or above at A level). Other areas where students collectively excelled included Education and Childcare, Finance and Management and Administration. Tutors were also delighted to discover that 11% of their T level students achieved a Distinction, (equivalent to three As and above at A level).
“I’m so thrilled with my result”, said Ameerah, who studied the T level in Digital Production, Development and Design and undertook her T level placement with DWP Digital in Blackpool with whom she is now planning to do a degree apprenticeship. “I enjoyed every aspect of my T level course from learning new programming languages to working with professionals at the DWP. The support I got from my tutors was amazing and I would recommend T levels to anyone who wants to get the practical experience to complement the knowledge they acquire in the classroom.”
Not to be outdone, Extended Diploma students have also knocked it out of the park this year with 100% pass rates across courses in Aeronautical Engineering, Creative and Performing Arts, Music, Media Production, Esports, Applied Science, Culinary Skills, Business, Protective Services and Policing. A further 26 students achieved a Distinction grade (including all students on the Aeronautical Engineering Extended Diploma) and two students - one studying this course and the other the Applied Science Extended Diploma - absolutely smashed it and each got a Triple Distinction Star – a result which could open doors to any number of prestigious institutions.
“Getting a Triple Distinction Star was fantastic,” said Logan who is now planning to head to university to study Aeronautical Engineering with the hope of transferring to a degree apprenticeship at some point in the future. “I chose to do a BTEC extended diploma because it allowed me to specialise in my subject area and also because of its emphasis on coursework over exams which suited my learning style better. It was definitely the right choice.”
Another student who was also delighted with their result was Aaron who achieved a distinction in T level Business Management and Administration. Aaron undertook his placement with Wyre Borough Council and clearly made a fantastic impression there. Sandy Lee, who works for the Council and mentored Aaron, said: “People loved working with him. He fitted in really well and the experience has been such a positive one that we have no hesitation in having more T level placement students here in the future. In fact, we have already lined up two more students from Blackpool and The Fylde for the coming year.” Aaron has now secured a degree apprenticeship in the finance department of a multinational company and will shortly be moving to Wales. “It’s exciting and a little bit scary all at the same time, but I can’t wait to start there and the company have been absolutely brilliant in helping me relocate. None of this would have been possible had I not followed this path and chosen this qualification. I couldn’t have made a better decision or chosen a better place to study. It’s been amazing.”
Francis, who alongside his role at the college is also Chair of the Social Mobility Commission, sees further education colleges as having a vital role in creating a level playing field of opportunity for the area.
“Given how often we hear about the high deprivation levels in Blackpool, it is particularly gratifying to see former T level and diploma students from Blackpool and The Fylde College graduating with full honours degrees and to learn about the impressive career trajectories of previous alumni whose path to success started with one of our Level 3 qualifications. We firmly believe that this is the best way to highly paid, rewarding employment. From the results we’ve witnessed here today and the ambitious plans these students have already made, I’m sure the Class of ’25 will be no different and I wish them every success for the future.”