‘It’s never too late’: Adult learners celebrate GCSE success at South Devon College

Learners share powerful stories of second chances, perseverance and new ambitions after returning to the classroom

It wasn’t just Year 11 pupils celebrating exam results this week – adults across Torbay are also marking a major milestone after returning to education at South Devon College.

Dozens of adult learners collected their GCSE results yesterday (21 Aug), with many describing the moment as life-changing.

High numbers achieved strong grades in key subjects, with a pass rate of 73% for English, 70% for biology and 75% for sociology. For many, the results mark the start of the next chapter in their careers.

Each year GCSEs continue to open up new opportunities for adults, whether that’s progressing into higher education or onto access to higher education courses.

For 32-year-old Georgie Harvey, it was about proving to herself that it’s never too late.

Georgie admitted: “I didn’t do well at school and when I took my GCSEs the first time around, I had no ambition. Fast forward 16 years and it’s a very different story.”

She is now celebrating passes in English (7) and maths (4) and has set her sights on university, “I’m very happy and very proud of myself,” she said. “It’s important to know that if you don’t get things the first time you can come back and do it again.”

Courtney Ali, a 31-year-old dad of three from Torquay, has also turned a corner.

He said: “I moved schools a lot as a child, suffered from hurt and trauma and was homeless at one point. I didn’t take my GCSE exams the first time around because my laptop with my coursework on was stolen.

“I threw in the towel, moved to Spain for six months and then came back to the UK and had a variety of jobs including setting up my own business.”

Two years ago Courtney became a certified life coach – and decided to follow his own advice, “I am advising people it’s never too late, so I decided to take my own advice,” he said.

With support from his partner Cherai, he enrolled at South Devon College and is now celebrating passes in English (6) and maths (3), “It’s been unfinished business in my mind,” he explained. “I’ve had moments in my life where I’ve been depressed but I won’t be beaten, and I won’t be stopped in what I can achieve.”

Courtney is now enrolled on an electrical installation Level 2 course, with the aim of studying psychology at university. His advice to others: “Push yourself, go in with an open mind and take control.”

For Jasmine Smyth, passing maths with a grade 4 means she can move a step closer to her dream of becoming a primary school teacher. “It’s been brilliant,” she said. “I’ve had extra help with my maths and that one-on-one attention was fantastic.”

Sharon Purnell also knows what it means to keep going. After three failed attempts, it was fourth time lucky for the adult student who today celebrated a grade 4 in maths.

“I really tried this year, and I had extra maths coaching to help,” she said.

Another success story is Tapiwanashe Zikali, who achieved a grade 6 in both maths and English. “I felt very welcomed at the college and everyone helped me get these grades,” he said. Originally from Zimbabwe, Tapiwanashe is now going on to study a Level 3 BTEC in computing and maths A level.

Assistant Principal Matt Burrows praised the determination of adult learners, "We congratulate all of our adult students for their great achievements today.

"With the qualifications they have successfully achieved through hard work and determination, they can now progress onto the next important steps in their educational journey or career and everyone at South Devon College wishes them well.

“We hope these results inspire others to consider a return to education, whether you want to take the next step in your career, want to change direction, or you just want to learn a new skill or subject.”

South Devon College offers a wide range of courses across education, engineering, catering, counselling and more, including professional qualifications in accounting and bookkeeping. Under the Government’s Free Courses for Jobs scheme, fully-funded Level 3 qualifications are available to adults aged 19 and over who do not yet have a qualification at this level.

Financial help is also available for adults earning less than £35,000 a year, including bursaries for childcare, travel, IT, equipment and materials.

For more information about adult courses at South Devon College, visit the college website or register for the next Open Evening on 7 October, 4–6.30pm at the Paignton campus.