JUST a couple of weeks ago teenagers across the UK were basking in GCSE glory.

But they’re not the only ones who have proved they can make the grade when it comes to exams.

Hundreds of adults across Essex – from single mums to pensioners to teachers and university graduates – have also been going back to the classroom to achieve GCSEs in a wide range of subjects.

In fact, thanks to Essex’s Adult Community Learning, some 536 adult students collected their GCSE results recently, with 68.8 per cent landing themselves A* to Cmarks.

Adult Community Learning Essex has more GCSE courses in English, maths and science beginning this month for people wanting to go back to learning.

Learning centres are scattered across Essex and some GCSE subjects are even free to enrol on.

Ray Gooding, Essex county councillor responsible for education and lifelong learning, said: “Adult Community Learning Essex has a fantastic range of courses available. Whether you want to continue your learning to improve your job prospects, meet new people or pursue personal interests, I would encourage you to get in touch.

“We offer a fantastic opportunity for people to improve their employment prospects, enhance their skills or simply pursue personal interests. Take-up for GCSEs in English, maths and science is increasing and the recent results were excellent.”

Anyone interested in enrolling onto an Adult Community Learning course must initially book an assessment by calling 0845 6037635.

For more information, visit essex.gov.uk/adultlearning, call 0845 6037635 or visit facebook/ Aclessex IT’S never too late to go back to studying, according to Derek Hill.

 

 

Derek, 70, from Benfleet, is celebrating a well deserved grade A in GCSE English.

The grandad was well aware he’d most likely be the oldest person on his course when he enrolled at the Adult Community Learning centre on Canvey a year ago – but that didn’t put him off.

“Everyone was so friendly, there were people of all ages on there but yes I was the oldest!,”

said Derek.

“Our tutor, Susan, was absolutely fantastic and I’m indebted to her for helping me pass with an A.”

Derek left school as a teenage boy with no qualifications to his name. Although back then options were a lot more limited for school-leavers, he wishes he’d tried harder.

“I grew up in Dagenham and back then, like most kids, I was more interested in mucking around with my mates than studying,” he said “When I left school I ended up working as an office boy sorting the post which is what you had to do in those days. You started at the bottom and worked your way up.”

Derek went onto enjoy a successful career in sales which enabled him to travel the world with his job, particularly spending time in Japan and Germany.

He also managed to study for a business qualification, however after he retired he decided to pursue studies once again.

“I have done a number of courses since retiring, mainly just for pleasure, but when I saw I could enrol on GCSE English free of charge with ACL, I decided to go for it,” he said.

“I’d say to anyone else to do the same. I was a bit nervous at first but the support you get is outstanding.”

As part of his English course Derek inspired his fellow classmates with a talk about the First World War, something Derek is involved with as a member of Southend’s Western Front Association.