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Why Gower College Swansea should be a top choice for school leavers

Why Gower College Swansea should be a top choice for school leavers

Wales Online2 days ago
More than just a place to gain qualifications, college can be where young people explore who they are, discover what drives them, and begin to take ownership of their future.
At Gower College Swansea, students are supported, challenged, and inspired to aim higher than they ever thought possible.
Whether it's A Levels, vocational training, or hands-on apprenticeships, the college aims to provide a complete and flexible pathway tailored to students' ambitions and future career goals.
A superb launchpad
"For many, our A Level programme becomes a perfect launchpad to top universities, high-profile careers, and a lifelong love of learning," says Kelly Fountain, chief executive officer, Gower College Swansea.
"Our A Level provision is one of the most comprehensive in Wales, offering over 40 subject options, including not just the traditional sciences, maths and humanities, but also modern, in-demand disciplines like law, digital technology, criminology, psychology and economics.
"This breadth allows learners to build personalised combinations that reflect their interests and ambitions - and our flexible timetabling will ensure learners can choose any combination of subjects."
Outstanding results
(Image: Gower College Swansea)
This year, Gower College Swansea has seen a rise in its overall A Level pass rate, which stands at a remarkable 100%, above Wales' national average of 97.5%.
Among these results, 12% of the grades awarded were at the highest possible grade of A*, an increase from 9% in 2024. A total of 34% of the grades awarded were at grades A* to A, while 65% of the grades awarded were at A* to B. Notably, 85% of the grades awarded were at grades A* to C.
The overall pass rate at AS Level is again very strong and stands at 94%, with 73% of grades awarded at A-C and 54% being awarded at grades A-B. Incredibly, 30% of the grades awarded were at an A grade in comparison to the Wales national average of 22.7%.
These outstanding results across both A Level and AS Level further demonstrate the college's drive for academic excellence and its commitment to supporting every learner to achieve their full potential.
Brilliant opportunities
Students following the college's GCS Honours programme secured almost 200 Russell Group university places between them - representing almost 27% of its overall UCAS applicant cohort - and close to 900 learners securing a place at university.
The GCS Honours programme offers tailored support for high-achieving learners aiming for top Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.
Kelly explains: "From weekly academic tutorials and aptitude test coaching to bespoke UCAS guidance and interview preparation, this elite programme gives learners a real edge - and it works. Each year, we celebrate students who receive university offers, including from some of the world's most competitive institutions. This year has been no different with 14 students being offered places at Oxford or Cambridge universities."
However, that's not all, as the college is committed to giving students real industry experience to help prepare them for the world of employment.
Kelly adds: 'What sets us apart is how we combine academic excellence with real-world experience. Thanks to partnerships with employers such as Admiral, Swansea Council and Swansea Bay University Health Board, our A Level students benefit from work placements, industry talks, and mentoring opportunities.
"This year's Design 48 event was a powerful example of how we bring academic creativity to life. Hosted in partnership with Waters Creative, it brought together A Level and vocational art and design students to produce innovative visual concepts for a real-world client brief, all within 48 hours.
"We're also proud of our developing partnership with Swansea Arena, which has opened doors for A Level learners pursuing careers in architecture, media, performing arts and production design. At our recent Creative Careers event, students were able to hear from professionals about everything from lighting and stage design to commercial illustration."
Your future starts here
Students from across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and beyond can take advantage of Gower College Swansea's high-quality education, experienced support, and wide choice.
The college is committed to working closely with each student to build the best possible academic or vocational journey - and while many join its A Level courses, others can discover new talents and ambitions toward creative careers or industry-based pathways.
Excellent teaching is only part of the equation. Gower College Swansea's staff aim to deliver inspiring lessons that connect classroom theory with real-world application, alongside outstanding support. From personal tutors, progress coaches and student support officers to mental health support and financial assistance, there are support systems in place to ensure every student, regardless of background or ability, can succeed.
Kelly concludes: "At Gower College Swansea, we empower learners to build confidence, gain direction, and step boldly into their futures.
"As young people across Wales await their GCSE results, I would encourage them to think big. College is not just the next step; it's a gateway to unlimited possibilities and where you build the foundation for your future success. And at Gower College Swansea, it could be the start of something truly extraordinary."
If you're interested in learning more about Gower College Swansea, see gcs.ac.uk
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More than just a place to gain qualifications, college can be where young people explore who they are, discover what drives them, and begin to take ownership of their future. At Gower College Swansea, students are supported, challenged, and inspired to aim higher than they ever thought possible. Whether it's A Levels, vocational training, or hands-on apprenticeships, the college aims to provide a complete and flexible pathway tailored to students' ambitions and future career goals. A superb launchpad "For many, our A Level programme becomes a perfect launchpad to top universities, high-profile careers, and a lifelong love of learning," says Kelly Fountain, chief executive officer, Gower College Swansea. "Our A Level provision is one of the most comprehensive in Wales, offering over 40 subject options, including not just the traditional sciences, maths and humanities, but also modern, in-demand disciplines like law, digital technology, criminology, psychology and economics. "This breadth allows learners to build personalised combinations that reflect their interests and ambitions - and our flexible timetabling will ensure learners can choose any combination of subjects." Outstanding results (Image: Gower College Swansea) This year, Gower College Swansea has seen a rise in its overall A Level pass rate, which stands at a remarkable 100%, above Wales' national average of 97.5%. Among these results, 12% of the grades awarded were at the highest possible grade of A*, an increase from 9% in 2024. A total of 34% of the grades awarded were at grades A* to A, while 65% of the grades awarded were at A* to B. Notably, 85% of the grades awarded were at grades A* to C. The overall pass rate at AS Level is again very strong and stands at 94%, with 73% of grades awarded at A-C and 54% being awarded at grades A-B. Incredibly, 30% of the grades awarded were at an A grade in comparison to the Wales national average of 22.7%. 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This year has been no different with 14 students being offered places at Oxford or Cambridge universities." However, that's not all, as the college is committed to giving students real industry experience to help prepare them for the world of employment. Kelly adds: 'What sets us apart is how we combine academic excellence with real-world experience. Thanks to partnerships with employers such as Admiral, Swansea Council and Swansea Bay University Health Board, our A Level students benefit from work placements, industry talks, and mentoring opportunities. "This year's Design 48 event was a powerful example of how we bring academic creativity to life. Hosted in partnership with Waters Creative, it brought together A Level and vocational art and design students to produce innovative visual concepts for a real-world client brief, all within 48 hours. "We're also proud of our developing partnership with Swansea Arena, which has opened doors for A Level learners pursuing careers in architecture, media, performing arts and production design. At our recent Creative Careers event, students were able to hear from professionals about everything from lighting and stage design to commercial illustration." Your future starts here Students from across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and beyond can take advantage of Gower College Swansea's high-quality education, experienced support, and wide choice. The college is committed to working closely with each student to build the best possible academic or vocational journey - and while many join its A Level courses, others can discover new talents and ambitions toward creative careers or industry-based pathways. Excellent teaching is only part of the equation. Gower College Swansea's staff aim to deliver inspiring lessons that connect classroom theory with real-world application, alongside outstanding support. From personal tutors, progress coaches and student support officers to mental health support and financial assistance, there are support systems in place to ensure every student, regardless of background or ability, can succeed. Kelly concludes: "At Gower College Swansea, we empower learners to build confidence, gain direction, and step boldly into their futures. "As young people across Wales await their GCSE results, I would encourage them to think big. College is not just the next step; it's a gateway to unlimited possibilities and where you build the foundation for your future success. And at Gower College Swansea, it could be the start of something truly extraordinary." If you're interested in learning more about Gower College Swansea, see

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