Student Finishes Coursework While Hospitalised

Jersey Student Overcomes Serious Illness to Achieve Top BTEC Grades

A determined Jersey student has spoken about completing much of her BTEC coursework from hospital beds while battling serious health problems.

Ocean, 18, who studied health and social care at Highlands College, was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2022 and later developed a paralysed stomach, requiring her to be fed through a tube for four months. Despite these challenges, she achieved the grades needed to begin a social work course at Highlands this September.

She joined hundreds of other students across Jersey collecting their A-Level and BTEC results this week. The island’s overall A-Level pass rate reached 98.6% this year—up from 96.4% in 2024—with 25.9% of grades at A* or A, and 76.6% at A* to C.

Ocean was visibly emotional when she opened her results alongside her family in Highlands College’s Great Hall.

“I’m so shocked I got the results I did,” she said. “To see the progress and come out with a D*, D* and a D was phenomenal. Since I’ve studied at Highlands I’ve loved it—I’ve not regretted a moment.”

Education Minister Deputy Rob Ward congratulated all students and staff, calling their achievements “a testament to hard work and dedication.”

Other students shared their relief and excitement. Neve, 18, from Hautlieu, is heading to Brighton University after achieving the grades she hoped for. “I was so nervous,” she admitted. “I was expecting the worst, so I’m happy with what I got. The last few weeks, it’s been all I could think about.”

Meanwhile, Lukundo, 18, head boy at Victoria College, is preparing to study in the United States. “These have been some of the best years of school I’ve experienced,” he said, praising the way students came together to help each other revise.

For Ocean, the results mark the start of a new chapter—one built on resilience, determination, and the support of her college community.