Record vocational results celebrated on campus
Students, staff and families gathered at Warrington & Vale Royal College for the annual Vocational Results Celebration Morning, marking what the college called its strongest set of outcomes to date. Final-year learners were met with cakes and celebratory ‘Nosecco’ as they opened their results and began to take the next steps in their lives and careers.
The headline figures are striking. The college reported a 99% pass rate for Level 3 Extended Diplomas – qualifications broadly equivalent to three A levels – while students on T Level programmes achieved a 96% pass rate. The T Level performance was reported as 3.4 percentage points above the national average.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Level 3 Extended Diplomas pass rate | 99% |
| T Level pass rate | 96% |
| Students achieving high grades | 90% |
| Increase in Merit/Distinction/Distinction* | 3% |
Strong grades, strong confidence
According to the college, 90% of learners secured high grades, and there was a 3% rise in the number of students achieving Merit, Distinction and Distinction* (grades comparable to B, A and A* at A level).
- 99% of students felt they were developing the skills needed for life and work.
- 98% said they had been encouraged to reach their full potential.
- The college’s most recent Ofsted findings rated it Outstanding for Personal Development and Attitudes and Behaviours, and Strong for responsiveness to local and regional skills needs.
"The day was filled with smiles and laughter as students celebrated their achievements," the college said in its summary of the event.
Those figures matter for Warrington. Local employers look to the college to supply technically skilled staff and apprentices, and higher pass rates and improved grade profiles help strengthen those links. The college’s performance on T Levels is particularly significant; these are newer technical qualifications designed to combine classroom study with extended industry placements.
What this means for students and the local area
For many students the results day will be a clear turning point: a finishing line for a defined course of study and the start of new careers, higher education or further training. The college says more students than ever have left with nationally recognised qualifications this year, making 2026 one of its most successful years.
Parents and employers across Warrington will take heart from the high satisfaction rates recorded in the college’s recent student survey. With 98% of learners saying they were encouraged to achieve their potential and 99% reporting they were building workplace skills, the message is of a college that not only produces exam results but also prepares students for employment.
Campus scenes on the morning – from cakes and mocktails to hugs and relief – underlined the human side of those statistics. Staff and students shared the moment together, celebrating both individual effort and collective improvement.
As the city looks to secure more skilled workers, particularly in technical sectors, the college’s results will be watched closely by employers, training providers and local policymakers. Higher pass rates and rising high-grade attainment help Warrington build the talent base needed for local growth and investment.
The college said the results reflect growing momentum and a continued focus on improving the student experience. For the cohort leaving the campus this summer, the celebrations marked the end of one chapter and the start of another, backed by a set of results that will stand up in the workplace and beyond.
