If I were asked where the College truly excels and makes the most positive impact, my answer would be simple:
It’s when we help students turn their lives around by lifting them out of seemingly hopeless situations and empowering them to pursue their goals with purpose and confidence.
I fondly remember a phone conversation with a parent on A Level results day a few years ago. She shared a retrospective account of her daughter’s transformative year at Ealing Independent College. The daughter had just accepted an offer for her chosen course, having significantly turned her life around in just eleven months.
Almost a year earlier, her confidence was at an all-time low after receiving CDD grades in her A Levels and missing out on all her desired university placements. She was devastated when she first arrived at Ealing for her initial interview. I vividly recall that meeting. Her mother later mentioned that the first interview had rekindled her daughter’s hope and lifted her spirits, making it clear she shouldn’t give up.
The year started well, with strong results in all three of her subjects, leading to realistic predictions of ABB in Psychology, Geography, and Biology. She was passionate about studying Psychology with Criminology and was determined to achieve her goals.
However, things don’t always go as planned. The student faced personal challenges outside of school and struggled with anxiety. These issues led to a significant mistake—she missed a 9 am Biology exam, mistakenly thinking it was at 2 pm. The College staff quickly mobilized to address the situation, scheduling a meeting and crafting a plan to inform all the universities she had applied to, explaining the circumstances and highlighting her qualities. I wrote the letter, supported by all her teachers, and her mother was appreciative:
“Your meeting and letter have helped to improve my daughter’s well-being this afternoon. I hope we can move forward with a positive frame of mind from this event today. It has been distressing for her, but your supportive words have helped. I am very grateful to you.”
The results showed improvement, though not as much as hoped. Her Biology result remained the same, but her other subjects improved enough to get her where she wanted to go. Her mother later sent a message of thanks:
“It has been a challenging year, but her hard work showed improvement in grades. Mainly, I am grateful for the boost in her confidence, which is partly due to the positive teaching relationships she had with your staff.”
This is just one story—a testament to the good work the College does year after year.
Things may not always go according to ‘Plan A,’ but to err is human. This spirit characterizes retaking A Levels at Ealing. No student who comes to EIC with a desire to improve is pre-judged or looked down upon. Confidence is quickly restored in the welcoming environment of the College.
Disappointments are temporary and can be overcome, as evidenced by the experiences of our former students.
Hamze left Ealing Independent College with an impressive set of A-level results. He pursued a successful career in the finance industry and now works as an Investment Banking Analyst. After missing the three A grades needed for UCL, he didn’t give up. Instead, he came to Ealing, worked hard, and left with three A*s.
Sadie had similarly high ambitions. Her heart was set on a Russell Group university, but her initial A Level results limited her options. She came to Ealing for a year, resat Economics, and started Chemistry from scratch, leaving with two A grades and securing a place at the University of Warwick.
Sebastian was a typical case of a student who excelled at GCSE but lacked maturity and focus during his first A Level attempt. After finding the right environment at the College, he earned A* grades in Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry, went on to an undergraduate course at the University of Bristol, and pursued postgraduate studies at Imperial College.
Jack, who underperformed at his previous school, didn’t let it hold him back. By raising his grades from CCD to AAC, he earned a place at the University of Manchester to study Mechatronic Engineering. He has since completed successful internships and has a promising career ahead. Without retaking, this wouldn’t have been possible.
Maneet was in a similar situation. Just missing out on her intended university, she improved her grades in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Spanish at Ealing, securing a place at Royal Holloway, University of London. Now working in Marketing, she looks back on her time at the College fondly, recognizing it as a period where she learned the importance of perseverance.