Habberdash drummer gets uni gig

Andrew was at Thomas Rotherham College yesterday to pick up his results — a  C in music technology and distinction in media and IT.

He said: “At first I didn’t apply and was looking at apprenticeships. But I went to a uni to play a gig and got talking to people there.”

The drummer from Habberdash said gig-goers were telling him how much he would love university.

“I looked back and thought I should have applied, then I came in to college to speak to careers about a month ago and they talked about applying through clearing.

“I talked to an advisor at Sheffield Hallam this morning, and now I am in!

“I’m going to study digital media production - I’ve gone from not even thinking about applying to being in, all because of a gig.”

Also at Thomas Rotherham was Brendan Trickett, from Wickersley, who got an A* in geography and two Bs in film studies and economics.

Brendan said: “My parents have taken the day off so we can brainstorm about my options, I was expecting to go through clearing but I’ve done a lot better, so I’m really pleased.

“I was due to do film and TV at Lincoln but for a while I’ve been thinking about swapping to a more academic course.”

Imad Ibdali now has his sights set on working in Qatar in foreign exchange after gaining a distinction* in business and law, and a B in media.

He will now read international business at Sheffield Hallam.

A tearful Emily Parker, from Conisbrough, and her mum Julie Whiteman were overjoyed with Emily’s results which meant she can now realise her life-long dream of becoming a primary school teacher.

Emily, who is heading to Hull University, said: “I’ve always wanted to work with kids.

“I was a bit nervous about today as it meant so much to me.”

But she had nothing to worry about after picking up a merit in dance and a distinction in health and social care.

Mum Julie said she was so proud of her only child and that they had both been awake all night in anticipation.

Christlo Carter was shocked to find he had bettered his predicted three Bs.

He said: “I got three As, I did not expect that.

“It’s not sunk in, it’s really overwhelming.”

He will now study economics at Huddersfield University.

“I’ll see where that takes me, hopefully get a good career.”

Friend George Butler, from Chapeltown, said he was joining Christlo at Leadmill to celebrate after getting two Bs and a C.

Language lover George will study German and Italian at Manchester University which he said will open up so many career opportunities.

Fellow linguist Tom Symms, from Maltby Academy, got two A*s, two As and an A in As Spanish.

Tom said: “I love languages so much, it’s my life.”

The 18 year-old said he really started to get passionate about languages at AS level.

“They way they format it at GCSE and A level is completely different, in AS you have to have proper conversations instead of just learning words.”

Tom will now read French and Arabic at Durham University, but he said after seven years at the academy he was going to miss it.