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It wasn’t just the school leavers celebrating GCSE results day.

At Stockton Riverside College adult learners were also hoping to make the grade.

Sarahjane

It was good news for Billingham teaching assistant Sarahjane. Choosing to refresh her GCSEs, the 42-year-old was delighted to achieve a grade 7 in English and a massive grade 9 in biology.

Jemma and Sandra

Friends Jemma and Sandra were also happy to be among the achievers.

Jemma, a teaching assistant and mum-of-two, was on her fourth attempt at achieving that all-important grade 4 in maths.

“I got a D in 2000 at school,” she said. “Then I tried again in 2001 and 2002.” The outcome was the same each time.

Now 37, and spurred on by Sandra, she decided to give it another go and it was fourth time lucky as she received an impressive grade 5.

For Thornaby mum-of-three, Sandra, results day delivered a grade 7.

She said: “I wasn’t academic at school and got Ds in maths and English. When I was 30 I decided to do a degree in psychology and then a PGCE that specialised in maths.”

Now, 22 years on and working as a learning support assistant, the 52-year-old said: “Because I support students doing their GCSE maths I wanted to have a go. I thought, going through it myself, would give me more knowledge to support them.”

In fact, she has given it two goes, starting out last year and gaining a grade 5 and then returning this year to top it up to a 7.

Mark

Also determined to better his own achievement, the college’s own 14 to 16 progress coach, Mark, made a return to his studies.

He received a grade 6 in his GCSE Maths last year but felt sure he could do more. Now the 31-year-old from Billingham has walked away with a grade 8.

Mark, who also completed his PGCE at the college this year, said: "It does feel different as an adult learner. You are studying a subject that you have chosen." Plus, he added: "I do like maths!"

Tracey

A return to her studies is the first exciting step for 30-year-old Tracey.

After years struggling with ill health, she felt the time was right to get her future career on track.

“I have never really worked, apart from a few months due to a lot of health issues.

Suffering with chronic colitis, it can leave her with a lot of fatigue, digestive problems and pain.

Having studied a number of short distance learning courses through the college, she decided to sign up for GCSE English and maths.

She explained: “It seemed a good first step towards getting something up to date for my CV.”

Achieving a grade 8 in English and a 9 in maths, she said: “At school as a child you don’t always try as much as you could, but as an adult learner you have a better perspective on life.

“I have worked hard and felt confident I could do well, but it was still a shock to see the grades and to know that I have actually done it!”

Jemma Oliver (Left) And Sandra Johnston Mark Shaw Tracey Mccallum
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