BRADFORD College saw a record number of students sit science based GCSEs this year.

When the results were released on Thursday there was an 85.1 per cent overall success rate in sciences, 3.3 per cent above the national rate, and retention for science based subject’s stands at 90 per cent which is 3.7 per cent above the national rate.

A record 370 students sat GCSE Science subjects in 2014/15, a 47 per cent increase on those sitting science in 2013/14 with success rates all above the national average and a 100 per cent pass rate in GCSE Additional Science.

GCSE Physics achieved 87 per cent success with 43.5 per cent of students achieving grades A*-C. GCSE Additional Science and Science both achieved 83.6 per cent success rates, 1.8 per cent and 3.2 per cent above the national rate respectively. And GCSE Biology achieved an 84.5 per cent success rate.

A large amount of those picking up their GCSEs were adults who had returned to education.

Anita Lal, programme manager for science, said: "A lot of those who sat the science GCSEs are adults who need a science GCSE to do things like teacher training courses. We're so pleased with the numbers.

"We have some great labs here, it is a great experience for the students."

When asked why she thought the number of science students was rising, she said: "I think part of it is the agenda to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects. Ald in times of austerity it seems to be the STEM subjects that people want to do.

"Employers like the NHS are crying out for young people with these skills."

Science is expected to remain a major focus at the college in the coming year, as next month will see the opening of the new Advanced Technology Centre, which includes state-of-the-art technologies such as 3D printers and virtual reality welding equipment, providing new courses for students.

Overall the college saw its largest cohort of GCSE students ever. 2,176 GCSE exams were sat at the college in 2014/15, with 756 sitting Maths and 892 sitting English, compared to 423 sitting Maths in 2013/14 and 382 sitting English in 2013/14.

Bradford College has Over 20,000 students and is one of the largest providers of further and higher education in England outside of the university sector.