Success knows no age: Adult learners excel in GCSE results

 

Each year, Harlow College sees numerous adults retake their English and Maths and this year’s cohort have again earned some excellent results.

Many of these successful adult learners are poised to embark on exciting new challenges including university, teacher training qualifications or progression within their existing careers, while all the time effectively managing work commitments and personal responsibilities alongside their studies.

Our adult learners in GCSE Maths and English achieved strong results this year, with notable progress in English outcomes compared to last year.

• English GCSE:

Overall pass rate rose by 7%, reaching 96%

The proportion of learners achieving grades 9-4 increased by an impressive 20%, now at 52%

The proportion of adults on the evening class achieving grades of 9-4 was 73.7%

• Maths GCSE:

Overall pass rate was 94%

38% of learners achieved grades 9-4

The proportion of adults on the evening class achieving grades of 9-4 was 64.7%

English and Maths are essential qualifications as the majority of employers and universities look for at least GCSE grade 4 in either subject. Achieving these qualifications increases confidence and motivation and the skills gained will aid you in the workplace or any further learning. Typically, having grade 4 or above in GCSE English and Maths will earn you £2,000 a year more than those without the equivalent qualification.

Karen Spencer, Principal of Harlow College, said: “It’s inspiring to see adults return to learning English and Maths, often after finding these subjects difficult at school. Coming back to study as an adult takes real determination, and these fantastic results show the difference it can make to people’s lives. If you’re thinking about taking that step, come and talk to us - we’re here to offer advice and support. I wish all our students every success for the future.”

For many learners, the encouragement of family, friends, and their college tutors has played a pivotal role in their journey.

To find out more about our English and Maths courses for adults, click here.

Among the many successful learners who achieved great results were:

Luke Trundle, 20, from Bishops Stortford

GCSE Maths Grade 4 (previous GCSE English Grade 4 from Nov 2024)

I needed to retake my GCSE Maths because I was looking at job applications last year and it was apparent I was going to need good grades, which I unfortunately didn't have. So, I retook GCSE Maths because I needed to do get somewhere in life. 

I recently retook my GCSE English with Harlow College and also got a Grade 4. 

I chose Harlow College as it’s my local college, and I knew the environment as I had previously studied an Electrical Installation course after leaving secondary school. 

The whole experience of taking my GCSEs was very good. The teachers were excellent – they really made it entertaining and easy to understand and learn. 

I have a part-time job at Stansted Airport and there was no problem juggling my work with my studies – the evening class hours are designed to fit around your day job. 

Now I have my GCSE English and Maths qualifications, I plan to start looking at other job opportunities within the electrical industry. 

For any adults thinking of retaking their GCSE English or Maths, just do it! There's nothing to be scared of, and everyone’s in the same boat.

Mara Piensi, 47, from Harlow

GCSE Maths Grade 5, GCSE English Grade 6

I didn’t go to secondary school here in England. So instead of transferring my qualifications from my country (Italy), I decided to do my GCSE English and Maths here.

Studying both GCSE Maths and English felt like a lot of study, two evenings a week and of course that’s not enough. You still need to find time during the week to do a bit of personal study. It was quite a lot but I’m glad I managed.

It was great to have teachers who were experienced in dealing with adults and they saw a potential when we didn’t. They believed in us more than we did, so that was really nice. They were both very experienced, so they knew what we needed. They were able to bring us up to speed to get good grades.

The grades I got will allow me to qualify for further education in the industry that I work in, which is pharmacy. The National Pharmaceutical Association will see me as qualified to study further to become a pharmacy technician.

I hesitated a long time before I finally decided to take my GCSEs, but now I ask myself why I didn’t do it earlier and that it is achievable. Doing it at 47 and with English not being my first language, those are two barriers that didn’t mean I was going to fail. If anyone is hesitating about taking their GCSEs, they should do it.

Joshua Towse, 34, from Bishops Stortford

GCSE Maths Grade 5

I’ve had self-perception issues about my previous GCSE results which I felt was really holding me back, so I did them to prove to myself that I can do it. I used to work in carpentry, but I was let go pretty suddenly and decided to retake my GCSE Maths. It was my tutor, Michael Lancaster, who inspired me to want to become a teacher. His support was great, even when it came to advice for future career possibilities. He always had time for me to talk to him about being a teacher and share his knowledge and experiences. He went above and beyond.

Today was my last day of induction training to be a learning support assistant – so now I'm on the ladder to become a teacher! I have also enrolled onto GCSE English at Harlow College and start in September.  

I’m really excited to start GCSE English. My Maths class has made me fall back in love with learning. I’ve made the unattainable, attainable. Never in a million years did I think I would get a Grade 5.

Don’t let anything hold you back for it. It's absolutely worth it. The feeling you get when you get the result you want is just, yeah!

Jessica Ashton, 51, from Harlow

GCSE English Grade 5

I am dyslexic, so when I sat my exams at school, I didn't get very good grades. I left school without proper GCSEs so I thought, as an adult, I would come back and retake them.

I chose Harlow College as it’s my local college, and I've done previous courses here and always had a lot of support. I’ve enjoyed my time at Harlow College.

Studying GCSEs this time around was challenging, but my tutor was very good. She was very patient and very kind, and she made the lessons interesting. We did a lot of mock exams to prepare us for the actual exam, so, because we did that, I was much better prepared for going into the exam.

I’m hoping to go back and do my GCSE Maths. The whole reason why I chose to retake my GCSEs was because I wanted to do a Level 4 Counselling course and you have to have your Maths and your English at a certain level before you can qualify to do the course. My aim is to be a qualified counsellor.

If I had a message to anyone thinking of retaking their GCSEs I would say, don’t be put off. Just because you probably haven’t been in an educational environment for a long time, it’s definitely not like going back to school. You know, it’s your choice, and it’s a way of empowering yourself and improving your life, and your life skills.