Type=image;ImageID=16214;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Alison Jones;TitleClass=strong;
Alison Jones wanted to retrain as a teaching assistant but needed GCSE maths to do so. Now, a quarter of a century after leaving school and spurred on by her children, she has made the grade with the Ofsted Outstanding rated Adult Education Wolverhampton.
The 41 year old said: "I have to say maths was probably one of the biggest hurdles in my life. I really struggled with it throughout school and failed my GCSE in 1993.
"After leaving school, I worked for the council for 18 years before being made redundant. I really wanted to retrain and become a teaching assistant and perhaps eventually a teacher, and for this only maths as a GCSE was acceptable."
To complete her CV, Alison enrolled onto a part time GCSE maths course offered by Adult Education Wolverhampton. She said: "All credit should go to my tutor Terry Mills who eventually broke down the mental brick walls that I had built up around maths over the years by finding a way to teach me that I could understand.
"At the same time my eldest daughter Jessica was studying towards her GCSEs. She was able to help and encourage me and I was able to support her with her homework which to say had previously phased me would be an understatement. I used her homework as extra revision for myself, too.
"On results day I was the happiest person in the world, having passed with flying colours. This meant I could continue to progress, going on to complete my Teaching Assistant qualification with Adult Education Wolverhampton - which has led to me being offered a part time job within a school.
"Both courses were part time and fitted around family life making my goal of passing maths achievable and dream of working as a teaching assistant possible.
"I would encourage anyone else who is missing an essential qualification, as I was, to enrol with Adult Education Wolverhampton and complete their CV because, as I have learned, if you believe, you can most definitely achieve!"
Councillor Lynne Moran, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "Every year, thousands of people join Adult Education Wolverhampton courses to learn new skills or gain additional qualifications, and it's great to hear how Alison went back into the classroom, passed her exam and is now able to pursue her dream.
"If you are looking to take a new direction, improve your existing skills, learn new ones or gain additional qualifications, now is the time to make the change with Adult Education Wolverhampton."
To find out more, attend one of the information and enrolment days which are taking place at Old Hall Street, Wolverhampton, on Wednesday 5 September from 10am to 7pm, Thursday 6 September from 10am to 7pm, Friday 7 September from 10am to 4pm and Saturday 8 September from 10am to 1pm.
Alternatively, call Student Services on 01902 551658, email enquiries@aes.wolverhampton.gov.uk or check Type=links;Linkid=2102;Title=Adult Education Wolverhampton;Target=_blank; for more information.
Maths and English courses offered by Adult Education Wolverhampton up to and including GCSE level are fully subsidised, meaning learners who are either missing qualifications or who wish to brush up on their skills can study for free, irrespective of their financial situation.
- released: Friday 31 August, 2018