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 evening class learners studying GCSE Maths and English did well again this year with 100% pass rate for GCSE Maths and 59.1% of these students gaining a Grade 4 or above. For GCSE English, 89.1% of students passed the course with 32.1% gaining a Grade 4 or above.

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 great that adults are returning to study English and Maths having often struggled when they were at school. These results are fantastic and highlight the big difference that Maths or English can really make to your life. Good luck to all our students in 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:

Kim Lawrence, 42, from Harlow

GCSE English Grade 9, GCSE Maths Grade 5, GCSE Biology Grade 8

What made you decide to retake your GCSEs? 

I want to be a doctor and I needed the grades to get into Medical School. I work in the NHS now and my background is in fitness and physiotherapy but I am at a point where I want to progress my career and I have always been interested in Medicine. I was shocked when I found out my grades. I’ve always had mild dyslexia and I never thought it was going to be possible.  

What was the support from your tutors like? 

So excellent. Everybody went above and beyond, they put on extra classes and if you couldn’t get to the extra classes the tutors were great with their emails. I can't speak any more highly of them. 

What was it like going back into the classroom again? 

It was pretty terrifying to be fair, but you soon realise you’re not the same person you were when you were at school. It’s different and it's actually really enjoyable. It's fun. I loved it. I’ve never been that great with Maths so I found that difficult but the extra support that I had, I was really thrilled with it.  

Were there any highlights or challenges? 

Doing all three GCSEs whilst working full-time and having a child to look after was tricky, but I think highlights were finding a real love of maths and realising that I actually I can do it. I just wasn't taught how to do it before and I really enjoyed it.

How did you find juggling your work life balance while you were studying?

I had great support from my family with childcare which I was very fortunate to have. I had three classes a week which was tricky but you adapt. You make changes and make it work. 

What are your next steps? 

I’ve enrolled onto the Access to Medicine course here at Harlow College and I start in September.  

A message for other adults? 

Just do it! You don’t have anything to lose.  

 

Jane Holland, 49, from Bishops Stortford

GCSE Maths Grade 5

What made you decide to re-take your GCSE 

I wanted to retake my maths so I could help my daughters with their studies and also because I want to get back into the workforce. You need maths and English to get back into the workforce and it was just maths that I was missing.

How did you find studying on the course? 

I was really nervous and actually, about a week before the course was about to start, I very nearly didn't go. I thought, I just can't do this. But once I started it was great. The people on the course were lovely and the tutor, Michael was very kind and very patient.

How did you find juggling your work life balance while you were studying?

As a stay-at-home mum, it was fine. I just made sure that I did the homework - I set myself a task of doing two hours of maths a day. Once you get used to the routine it’s fairly easy to manage with all the other family things that were happening.

What are your next steps?

I'm thinking about further study, either speech or language therapy.

A message to other adults:

I would say, if you're nervous, then you just have to try it. Harlow College is an amazing college to go to. The pastoral support there is really good. Everyone I've come across, from the Reception team to Michael the tutor, are so kind and helpful. Definitely go and do it and you won't regret it!

 

Gavin Jones, 42, from Harlow

GCSE Maths Grade 5

What made you decide to re-take your GCSE

I failed my GCSE Maths years ago at school and it’s been holding me back ever since.

How did you find studying on the course?

I thought all the new technology was going to be overwhelming, but the apps we were using were really user friendly and simple to understand, which helped me progress my learning.

What were the highlights and what were the challenges?

It was enjoyable working with other people my own age. Once you get into the classroom and you realise there's people the same age as you, you think, oh, they're obviously here for the same reason that I am. I’ve made lasting friendships with a couple of people which is great.

Because the course is free (If you are 19 or over and have not yet achieved a Level 2 qualification in English or Maths, this course is available free of charge) I really wanted to make the most of the opportunity.

Did you get good support from your tutor?

I'm on the autistic spectrum, which is something that always played on my mind. I would be like ‘maybe I'm a bit too stupid for this’, but Michael the tutor was incredibly patient and the college were really accommodating - I didn't know you could have special exam arrangements, like extra time.

How did you find juggling your work life balance while you were studying?

Because it was an evening class I could work it around my daytime commitments, and with the later start time I could avoid all the rush hour traffic as well.

What are your next steps?

I want to get into some sort of construction-based industry, something like groundwork carpentry, and now having my Maths GCSE will really start to open doors for me.

A message to other adults:

Don’t put it off - just go for it!

 

Corrin Kent, 39, from Harlow

GCSE Maths Grade 5

What made you decide to re-take your GCSE

I passed all my other GCSEs but maths was the one subject I didn't have and I've been meaning to retake it for a long time. Then I saw that Harlow College offered the free course for anyone that hadn’t achieved a Grade C or above. 

How did you find studying on the course? 

Like anything, when it comes to something new I was massively nervous as to what to expect. When you're an adult, this sort of thing doesn’t come naturally to you. I did find it overwhelming at first. It was hard but definitely worth it. Settling in became easier and easier as it was an adult class and that makes you more comfortable.

Michael, the tutor, is brilliant and puts you at ease. He doesn’t make you feel stupid when you don't know the answers. He explains everything thoroughly so you leave the class knowing that you understand. I’d say I settled into the classes within a couple of weeks and everyone was really friendly and got on well with each other. Everyone is there to achieve the same thing, everyone is engaged, everyone wants to learn, nobody is sitting there on their phones.

How did you find juggling your work life balance while you were studying?

I'm a Healthcare Assistant and work quite sociable hours so this course fitted in really well. (The course runs on a Tuesday evening between 5.30pm and 7.45pm). My children are a bit older too so I didn’t need to worry about childcare.

What are your next steps?

I'm looking at the Level 1 Bookkeeping course here at Harlow College. Now that I know I can do maths it’s something I really want to push for. I’ve been in healthcare since I was 19 and now I'm looking to change my career.

A message to other adults:

I would say 100% if you're thinking about it, just go ahead and do it. Everyone's so supportive, and no question is a silly question. Most of the time others in the class were wanting to ask the same questions as I was.