Top marks for South Wales College recognised for outstanding support of A level learners

A college in the South Wales Valleys has been recognised for its commitment to supporting more able and talented (MAT) A level learners to achieve their full academic potential.

Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw based A level Centre, the largest A level provider in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Caerphilly, has received the National Association for Able Children (NACE) Challenge award which is awarded to education providers that offer high-quality and challenging education for More Able and Talented (MAT) learners.

The news comes after the college, which is one of only two in the UK to receive the accreditation, has experienced another successful year of A level results, with students achieving an overall A Level pass rate of 99% in 2024 and 20 out of 23 subjects having achieved a 100% pass rate.

An independent UK charity, NACE supports schools and colleges to improve educational offerings for MAT learners by providing resources, training and coaching to help learners to aim high and succeed.

Coleg y Cymoedd received the ‘Challenge Award’ status in recognition of the range of support initiatives and services it has in place for its A level learners. These include opportunities to attend summer schools, such as STEM SMART, Sutton Trust US Programme and Social Mobility Fund for Aspiring Professionals, help securing work experience placements; links with Oxbridge pathways like the University of Oxford’s Step Up programme; enhanced pastoral care; and access to a variety of mentorship programmes where students are allocated mentors who are experts in their field, helping to coach them through the university application and interview process.

Notably, the college has a dedicated female mentorship programme aimed at empowering the next generation of young learners to achieve their personal and professional goals, matching them with a mentor based on their career interests or desired skills.

NACE recognised Coleg y Cymoedd staff’s dedication to providing a calm and supportive learning environment, where A-Level learners experience a high level of academic challenge and are treated as young adults, resulting in them demonstrating a mature and responsible attitude to their studies.

The award also commended the college’s approach to recognising the uniqueness and bespoke needs of each learner, with staff striving to nurture each individual’s ability both personally and academically. The introduction of a “right choice review” on entry to the college to guide learners to select subjects best suited to their future aspirations was also praised.

Since opening its doors in 2013, 15 Coleg y Cymoedd learners have secured places at Oxbridge, and over 200 learners have progressed to Russell Group universities. In the 2023/24 cohort, 44 students identified as MAT, 29 were accepted into a Sutton Trust 30 University, and 13 were accepted into other universities.

Ambitious science fanatic, Grace Bennett, 18, is one learner to have benefited from Cymoedd’s MAT support. Grace went on to secure a place to study Biochemistry at the University of Oxford last summer after receiving A*A*A in her Biology, Maths and Chemistry A levels. Inspired by her mother’s battle with melanoma to pursue a career in genetics, Grace was supported by the college’s MAT team to bag a spot on Oxford’s UNIQ summer school, a three-day residential experience designed to give prospective Oxford candidates an opportunity to discover what full-time education would be like at the university.

She said: “I’m so grateful for the level of support and encouragement I’ve had from my Coleg y Cymoedd tutors during my A levels. My tutors went above and beyond to help me with extra revision lessons where needed, making sure I was as prepared as possible for my new chapter at Oxford.”

The NACE Challenge assessment process involved a detailed self-evaluation of the college’s provision using the NACE Challenge Framework, submission of a portfolio of supporting evidence, and an assessment by a NACE associate. The process included examination of data and key documents; lesson observations; and interviews with staff, learners, parents, and governors.

Holly Richards, More Able and Talented Lead for A Levels and Mentorship Programme Lead at Coleg y Cymoedd, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have achieved the NACE Challenge award and to be only the second college in the UK to do so.

“At the forefront of our provision for MAT learners is a commitment to nurturing a culture of excellence. Our tutors and staff strive to meet the personalised needs of every individual learner, supporting them through high quality teaching, tailored pastoral care and an inspiring learning environment to thrive and reach their full potential.

“Learners are encouraged to hold high aspirations for themselves, and this award is testament to our wonderful staff and learners, who approach their studies with maturity and enthusiasm.”