Posted: 11/07/16
Onwards and upwards for fab fifty
Students at West Nottinghamshire College have enjoyed an end-of-year celebration to recognise the completion and success of graduating from the Access to Higher Education courses.
The Derby Road campus where access students take their steps towards university-level study
Fifty students who have completed the Access to Nursing, Access to Science, Access to Business and Law, Access to Social Sciences, Access to Humanities, Access to Teacher Training and Access to Social Work courses, took to the stage last week (7 July) to collect their letters of congratulations.
Congratulations letters were presented by curriculum manager Jane Fishwick and head of school Julian Smith gave the opening remarks. The students were aged from 19 to 50 years of age and many will progress to study full degrees at university.
One of the students celebrating was Jennifer Seals, 35, who has completed the Access to Social Work course. She said: “Before studying the Access course I only had GCSEs, and most of my grades were not that great, although it was the C grade I’d achieved at GCSE English which helped secure my position on the course.
“I’ve worked in various jobs, from the equestrian industry, to retail and catering. I knew that if I wanted a different career, I’d need a degree to do so, but because of my age I wanted a course that would enable me to get to university in the least time possible.”
“I am so glad I persevered with the course as I’ve made some fantastic friends of all ages and I felt anything but old. Everyone in the class supported one another and I always felt there was someone to help if I had any questions.”
Jennifer will be studying towards a degree in criminology at the University of Derby in September, to continue towards her goal of working in probation services.
