A 22 year old who did not focus on exams at school as he was busy playing semi-professional football has celebrated GCSE success at Oaklands College.

Daniel Kitchener said: “I got an A in English and two Bs in maths and science, meaning I can now study the college’s access to higher education (HE) nursing course and I’m another step closer to my dream of working as a paediatric nurse.”

He began working as a healthcare assistant after an injury ended his football career.

Daniel was among many students gathering at Oaklands’ campuses in Smallford and Welwyn last Thursday (20) to collect their results after months of hard work and revision.

For many pupils the exams were resits, as they may not have got the grades they needed when they sat the exams at school.

Oaklands principal Zoe Hancock said: “For many of our students, not having the right GCSE results mean they can’t move on in education or get the career they want. We’re very proud of our students for achieving the grades they need to move forward.”

Andrew Logan, 24, of Harpenden, who achieved a B in maths, said: “It’s an amazing feeling. It means I’ve got my place at Surrey University to study paramedic science. It was a lot of work but it feels great.”

Fellow student Denise Allen, who gained a B in English, has worked as a healthcare assistant for 16 years and can now study the access to HE nursing course.

She said: “I was really shocked because I panicked in the exam and thought I hadn’t done well but now I can progress my career and I’m really pleased.”