Results out today (Thursday 12 August) show that 96% of English students achieve a standard pass grade or higher, with 14% achieving a strong Grade 6 and 9% achieving a Grade 7.
In maths, 89% of students achieved a standard pass rate or higher with 47% achieving a strong grade five pass.
Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Adult Education Wolverhampton has worked hard to deliver high quality teaching to adult learners and, after what has been another tough year for students and tutors, these are a highly credible set of results of which people should be very proud.”
Among those celebrating today is Rebecca Serwaah. She said: "Gaining my GCSE English will enable me to progress to university and purse a career as an occupational therapist. There were times when I wanted to give up but with the continued support from my teacher I have passed and am ready to progress."
Maths student Rachael Holmes said: “I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of studying maths again after all these years and my confidence and fear of failure was stopping me from moving forward. However during the pandemic and lockdown I decided that I’d give it a go, despite my fears.
“Gaining this qualification will give me a massive confidence boost, not only in maths but in everyday life. I realise now that I can achieve anything I put my mind to. I no longer have a fear of maths and am ready to move onto my next phase in life.”
Her fellow GCSE Maths student Jacqueline Rushworth added: "Alongside my personal achievement, gaining my GCSE maths will also allow me the option to progress on to teaching."
Maths tutor Terry Mills said: “I have discovered since teaching adults that one of the biggest tasks is helping students overcome any previous hurdles that hampered them when they first took maths at school.
“More often than not, this involves trying to develop their confidence and taking away the fear factor over previous experiences that students may have had. Once these ‘brick walls’ have started to crumble the whole approach to the educative process takes on a more positive attitude and greater self-belief ensues.”
Adult Education Wolverhampton offers a wide range of courses which help people train for a specific career, while its Access to Higher Education courses provide a fast track to university. Other courses can help people brush up on their skills or build their personal confidence. For more details, please visit Adult Education Wolverhampton or call 01902 558180.
