Adult Learners Excel with Outstanding GCSE Results

As thousands of young people around the country collected their GCSE results yesterday, adult learners also logged on to find out how they did. At Exeter College, adult learners take GCSEs in English, Maths and Biology every year.

Sarah Mandeno, Head of Faculty for Adult Learning at Exeter College, said;

“We are very proud of our adult learners’ progress and achievements this year. They have done brilliantly.

“Our teachers deliver an amazing learning experience and learners today have been full of praise for the outstanding teaching and support they have received.”

The College has also seen outstanding success from its 16-18 students who have collected GCSE results this week.

Adult learner, Nathan Mitchell-Campbell (pictured left above) collected his results today and achieved a brilliant 7 in GCSE English and a high 4 in Maths. He now plans to take GCSE Biology before progressing to the Access to Science course at Exeter College with the hope to study Marine Biology at university. Speaking about coming back to college, he said;

“I think as an adult, you have a much firmer choice and you’ve lived a bit, so you have an idea of what you’d enjoy and what you’d like to go into. I found as an adult I was able to make those choices more consciously and dedicate the energy where I needed it, compared to doing it when I was younger.

“It was a very relaxed environment. If I needed help, I could ask and see where I went wrong. The teachers were very kind and knowledgeable – it was just two people having a conversation and that’s why I found it so relaxing and got the grade I did.”

An adult learner sits outside and smiles at the camera — Alinu collected her GCSE results this week and hopes to move on to an Access course.

Alinu Dinu (pictured above) took GCSEs in Maths and English, achieving an incredible grade 5 and 4. Alinu, who currently works in care, hopes to do the Access to Science course with the aim of becoming a nurse. She was full of praise for the teaching and support she has received at Exeter College, saying;

“The schooling here is completely different than in Romania. You receive a lot of support and encouragement. In the beginning, I found it very, very hard. It’s not my first language. But my teacher, she was amazing. She supported me the whole time and gave me extra things to study, so I can improve myself. Thank you to our teachers. We did it!”

There is a variety of reasons for coming back into education, from wanting a change of career, to wanting to support children as they take their own GCSEs.

One such learner is Donna Drew (pictured below left) who originally wanted to take GCSE Maths to support her son. She is interested in teaching and is considering taking a PGCE next year.

Donna stands with her teacher and smiles at the camera — Donna with one of her teachers on GCSE results day

Today she achieved a grade 5 in Maths. Speaking about coming back into education, she said;

“The teachers are so supportive, aware of people’s different learning styles and skills. I’ve really enjoyed helping some of the people in my class with subjects I understood that maybe I could break down for them and that ignited that teaching bug again, approaching things from different angles.”

This success follows on from the achievements earlier in the summer by the College’s Access to HE students. This year, 95% of learners completed their programme and achieved the full 60 credits available.

In addition to this 100% of Access to Business, Healthcare and Science students completed and achieved the full 60 credits, while 80% of the Access to HE Humanities students achieved 100% Distinction credits.

Find out more about GCSE courses at Exeter College or contact our Adult Advice Team on AdultAdvice@exe-coll.ac.uk or 01392 400170.

Exeter College Adult Learners Praise Teachers as they Collect GCSE Results

As 16-year-olds across the country collect their GCSE results today, adult learners at Exeter College also face the trepidation of opening results.

Exeter College is proud to be celebrating another year of great results from its Adult Learners taking GCSE Maths and English.

Adult learners take the decision to go back into education for a whole host of reasons, including wanting to change direction in their career.

Hubert is delighted with his results for GCSE English and Maths

Hubert Pawlowski, 33, from Exeter works in a hospital as a Health Care Assistant and wants to continue his education to allow him to do a degree in Nursing. He achieved a grade 6 in GCSE English and a grade 5 in GCSE Maths. He said:

“I am very happy with my results; I think the teachers have been great. Maths was always my weaker subject, and the fact that English is my second language as well means it wasn’t necessarily my favourite. I have enjoyed it all very much and I’m coming back here in September to do my GCSE in Biology.”

Sarah Mandeno, Head of Faculty for Professional Adult Learning at Exeter College, said;

“Our adult learners have done incredibly well this year. We are very proud of their achievements and wish them all the best with their next steps.

“Our teachers, as ever, have delivered a fantastic learning experience and learners today have been full of praise for the support and high-quality teaching and learning they have received.”

This was the first time Martin had sat formal exams.

Martin sat GCSEs in both English and Maths. He currently works in clerical administration but would like to work in mental health in the future. This was the first time Martin had ever sat exams and he achieved an amazing grade 6 and 4. Speaking about his experience at College, he said;

“It’s been brilliant, and not just because I have passed. Both of my teachers have been inspirational on a daily basis, but they have also made it fun. I was soaking up everything they were saying. Especially with Maths, because that was the one I was really scared about but they were always very supportive, and I’ve come out with some really good marks.”

Natasha Kingston, 31, from Exmouth has just collected her results for GCSE Maths and English, achieving a grade 4 in both. She now plans to take GCSE Biology before doing an Access course which will allow her to study Midwifery at university. Talking about her experience, she said:

“I was really quite nervous when I signed up, but it’s been great. I’ve made some lifelong friends. It was out of my comfort zone, but I enjoyed it.

“It’s been really supportive; the fact that the College help pay for childcare and travel and things like that has helped because I was a bit worried, but I would definitely do it again. I’m glad I did it.”

Find out more about GCSE English and GCSE Maths at Exeter College or contact our Adult Advice Team on AdultAdvice@exe-coll.ac.uk or 01392 400170.

5 REASONS TO ATTEND EXETER COLLEGE’S ADULT ONLINE OPEN EVENT

Are you an adult looking to further your education or learn a new skill? Exeter College is here for you. We’re inviting you to our Adult Online Open Event, Tuesday 16^th June 2020, 3pm-7pm, where we’ll help you to find your future.

This event is directed towards any adult (19+) who is interested in studying a course with Exeter College. Perhaps you’re hoping to move forward with your career aspirations, retrain in a new profession or just improve your skills. We have something for everyone.

Our Adult Online Open Event is the best and easiest way to find out what Exeter College can offer you…

FIND OUT ABOUT COURSES

Exeter College is bursting with opportunities for adult learners.

We offer a range of course types and subjects, from GCSE English and Maths, professional and leisure courses, university level study and Apprenticeships. We know all learners are different, and that’s why we cater for all levels of learning.

Our Adult Online Open Event is the perfect place to find out which course could help you to unlock your future, and you can do this all from the comfort of your own home, via your phone or laptop.

HEAR FROM SUBJECT LECTURERS

We want you to get the best start to your time at Exeter College, and that’s why we’ve arranged for you to be able to hear from subject lecturers during an interactive seminar.

Each lecturer will break down their courses for you, so you know what to expect when you start. From course content, timetabling and typical exam results, our lecturers are here to guide you.

ASK LIVE QUESTIONS

Each session will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have.

After each interactive seminar, subject leaders will respond to your queries. Simply type them in using the question box and get your reply.

We recommend having a pen and paper handy during the seminar, so you can note down your questions as you think of them.

HEAR FROM ADULT ADVISERS

We know that for a lot of our adult learners, the thought of going back into education can be daunting. To help you achieve your full potential, Exeter College’s adult advisers are here to support you.

Hear about the outstanding adult learning environment at Exeter College and our personalised approach to teaching and learning.

We make sure you’ll gain the skills to take you to the next level in a supportive and engaging environment.

LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Often, adult learners feel there are barriers to returning to education, but we want you to know that we’re here to support you.

Our Adult Online Open Event will allow you to learn more about the financial support available to students.

Our advisors will guide you through how to finance courses through funding or other means, and the bursaries the college offers and how to access them.

If you would like to join us at our Adult Online Open Event, you can register your interest here.

You can view our range of adult courses on our website, or you can request a course guide to be sent to your home. For any additional information, please email our adult advisers on adultadvice@exe-coll.ac.uk.

To apply for an adult course, please visit our application page. For help with your application, please email info@exe-coll.ac.uk. For adults interested in studying a university level course at Exeter College, you can apply via the online UCAS application system.