Josiah Mason College is delighted that Ravinder Jakhu has been chosen as the overall winner of the academic achievement category in this year's BCC Five Star Awards. College principal Chris Grayson said: "Ravinder is an exceptionally talented student who has shown excellent diligence and commitment to his studies at Josiah Mason College. "He came to JMC to study A-levels in 2000 and gained four straight As at AS Level in biology, chemistry, maths and psychology. "He went on to gain a further three A grades at A-level last summer and even volunteered to open his results live on the radio. "I was particularly impressed that Ravinder has done voluntary work in local hospitals while he was student. "This has obviously influenced his decision to apply to medical school and he is now pursuing his ambition to study dentistry at Birmingham University. We are sure he has a great career ahead of him." Ravinder was not the only JMC student to get in to medical school. Three other students, Tahir Ali Farooq, Baber Safeer and Johan Lew, went on to study degrees in medicine, a notoriously competitive subject and a fantastic result for JMC. Outstanding results Excellent results are an annual event at Josiah Mason College. Fifteen subjects scored above national average pass rates in 2002 and ten of these have had a 100per cent pass rate at least twice in the last four years. JMC students do extremely well in English, maths, all of the science subjects, law, psychology, sociology, media studies, performing arts and history, as well as many other disciplines. Last year all advanced level subjects achieved a pass rate of 90per cent or above. As many as 17 different subjects have continued to achieve these high pass rates at least twice in recent years. Level 3 vocational courses, which are equivalent to three A-levels and recognised for university entrance, also achieve consistently excellent results. AVCE students in business, ICT and health & social care achieved above national average pass rates last year and all students taking the BTEC National Diploma in music technology gained credits or distinctions. Similarly, there was a 100per cent pass rate for the CACHE diploma in childcare & education. Record numbers Warwick University offered 25 opportunity bursaries last year and JMC student Leanne Weston, who was runner-up in the BCC Award for Personal Progression Growth and Accomplishment, was one of four JMC students to win one of these national scholarships. At school, Leanne overcame physical disability to excel in her studies and was granted the Helen Hayes Award for courage in the face of adversity. She came to Josiah Mason College to study A-levels and put in a lot of hard work and dedication to gain exceptional results. She achieved A, B and C grades in media, English literature and psychology. Leanne is now studying a degree in film and television. Last September, a record number of 248 JMC students went on to university. The college experienced a 38per cent increase in the number of students taking up HE places. This figure represents 76per cent of all JMC students who were eligible to apply to university and gained places, with others choosing to go directly into employment. Included in these record numbers was Mazar Masud, of Small Heath, who was delighted to receive an offer to read English literature at Cambridge University. Many JMC graduates went on to take up places at other prestigious universities across the country, including Birmingham, London School of Economics, Warwick, Bristol and Leicester. Excellent Support and Facilities Highly qualified and experienced subject tutors, support from personal tutors and expert advice from careers staff, ensure that JMC students are given the best opportunity to achieve their ambitions. JMC students praise the safe, friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the college, and the approachable nature of all the staff. Samantha Lewis is one student who has benefited from JMCÕs excellent support, both academic and personal. Samantha was awarded a silver medal by the National Association of Paralegals for achieving the second highest marks in the country in her law exams. This achievement is all the more remarkable in light of the fact that Samantha suffers from severe visual impairment which meant that she had to endure a gruelling six-hour exam which she completed in braille in order to achieve her excellent results. She is now studying a degree in law at Staffordshire University.
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