Adult Learners and ESOL GCSE Students Celebrate High Grades

The results prove that regardless of your level, age or background, it’s never too late to start again or get a qualification for a career change.

Blackburn College, one of the largest FE colleges in the North West, is celebrating the success of its adult learners and English as a Second Language students (ESOL).

GCSE Adults English and Maths achieved a high amount 9-4 grades.

Grades 9-4 are equivalent to A*- C if compared to the previous grading system.

With GCSEs in Maths and English essential for anyone wanting to progress onto further education, university or pursue certain careers, the College provides GCSE Maths, English and Biology for adult learners alongside its FE and HE offering.

Mekka Dakak, Head of Adult Education at Blackburn College said it was great to see so many of the College’s Adult Learners achieve high grades.

She said: “These are fantastic results.  Our students have worked so hard with their teachers, who went above and beyond to provide all the support they needed bearing in mind their goals and, for some of them, their dreams.

“It just goes to show that regardless of your level, age or background, it’s never too late to start again or get that qualification for a career change.”

The College’s core focus is on arming its students across the board with the skills they need to progress onto to jobs that will play a key role in the economy. It also prides itself on providing a welcoming community for students from all backgrounds and walks of life.

A number of adult learners joined their teachers to open their results at the Blackburn Town Centre Campus this morning (24 August).

Landscape gardener and want to be firefighter, Aidan Turner, 26, was one of the students collecting his results.

He said: “I achieved a Grade 5 in Maths and a Grade 7 in English. I’m currently a landscape gardener, but I needed these GCSEs for me to be able to become a firefighter, which I will apply for when recruitment opens in October.

“I decided to study at Blackburn College as I heard good things about the place. I have a friend who studied GCSE English last year and he said the tutors were great.  I’d describe Blackburn College as equipped, knowledgeable and convenient.”

Chenxi Zou, aged 35 was overjoyed with her Grade 8 GCSE Maths result as it will help her on her journey to securing her dream career as a teaching assistant.

She said: “I decided to study at Blackburn College as it’s the biggest and best spoken about college I had heard of. The College has been supportive to me in many different ways.

“I’ve been studying here for three years and it’s been great the entire time. I achieved a Grade 8 in my GCSE Maths. I will continue to study for my GCSE English and ESOL classes. My final goal is to become a teaching assistant.”

Dr Fazal Dad, Principal and Chief Executive said: “This year again our GSCE results continue to enhance and change students’ life chances to progress onto Level 3 qualifications and employment. This year was particularly pleasing seeing so many adults achieving high grades”

The College is calling on anyone who is thinking of progressing into a new career or gaining confidence to return to studying, enrol onto its GCSE adult programmes.

Enrolment is taking place now until 1 September.