Selina Lee, 18, from Bury St Edmunds, achieved A* grades in Sociology and Graphic Communication, and a B in Psychology, at Abbeygate Sixth Form College (ASFC). She will now go on to study Art History at the University of Leeds.
The results came as a genuine surprise to Selina, who had braced herself for a very different outcome. “I was originally expecting an A* in Graphics and a D in both Sociology and Psychology,” she said. “I was really prepared to go into clearing because I was just so afraid. But I got the grades I really wanted.”
Her brother Simon admitted the family had been caught off guard by just how well she had done. “She was fully prepared to not be able to get in, and we even looked into an access course to lower the grade boundaries,” he said. “When we found out she had got such high grades, I felt ecstatic. We were a bit underprepared, but now we have got a bit more ground under our feet.”
For Selina, Abbeygate provided the support and environment she needed to flourish. “The teachers really helped throughout school, and student services were a big help too,” she said. “Everyone is just so friendly. It is really daunting starting a new college, but they settle you in quite quickly.”
She was also keen to highlight the college’s mental health provision for anyone considering enrolling. “It is quite scary to think about going to a new school, but there is lots of support. Even if you find it daunting, everything will be okay. They have a great mental health service.”
Looking ahead, Selina is excited to find her people at university. “I want to get into art history, and I think that is somewhat niche, so I am really looking forward to meeting others who enjoy art as much as I do, and experiencing a bit of freedom at university too.”
To anyone thinking about Abbeygate, her message was clear. “It is great, and there is lots of support. Even if it feels daunting at first, everything will be okay.”
