Activate Learning Online GCSE students are celebrating today after collecting their GCSE exam results.
Congratulations to the 257 students who achieved a grade 9-4 grade in their GCSE maths and English.
Many online GCSE students are learners who resit maths, English or both, to continue in education or progress their career.
This includes mature students who need these GCSEs to progress in the workplace, learners who want to retrain, learn new skills or may have missed the chance to go to university and want to study at degree level.
Paul Emberlin, Group Director for Online Faculty at Activate Learning, said: “This is always one of my favourite days of the year, where we get to celebrate the successes of our online learners and acknowledge the incredible work of our online tutors and teams across the country.
“Returning to study as an adult learner takes courage, and each learner, many of whom have had to overcome significant barriers and balance work, family, and personal commitments, can take huge pride in their achievements today.
“This year, we have again seen our learners achieve incredible results with 257 learners achieving a grade 4 or above.
“We are immensely proud of their commitment to improving their English and maths skills and we take huge delight in the fact that through our online delivery we’ve been able to support them on their journey to further education, career progression, and greater self-confidence.
“Our Learning Philosophy-led online learning experience is designed to create not just academic success, but a transformative experience that equips students with the skills and mindset to thrive in their futures. We can’t wait to hear of all the amazing things they now go onto do. They all have such bright futures.”
Dr Fumiko Pescott, Curriculum Manager and Joe Cranney, Curriculum Lead for Online English and Maths, said: “Along with our teams, we feel privileged to be able to have been part of our learners’ journey studying English and maths, and we’re so happy to be able to celebrate their excellent results with them.
“So many of the learners have travelled so far over the past year and shown tremendous resilience and determination.
“Regardless of the grade they have achieved today, their improved skills, knowledge and confidence is testament to their commitment over the past year. We wish them all the best in their next steps.”
Rich Lee, 57, was celebrating a grade 9 in his English GCSE today, which now supports his application to go onto university to do a degree in Film and Media Studies.
Speaking about his time studying with Activate Online, Rich said he was grateful for the personal support he received.
“My mum had to go into hospital after having a fall and then I was caring for her, so I ended up missing about a month of my course. My tutor Elizabeth would call me to check in and it helped being able to jump online and access things.
“Elizabeth was amazing. She would help everyone and the day before the exams she was asking everyone if they were ok, if they had any questions, and if we did, she would jump online and have a chat with us. I felt very supported, and at times it surpassed the support I received studying a full-time, onsite course at uni.”
Lynn Mumford, 46, decided to do the online maths GCSE after it was recommended to her by a colleague.
She said: “Despite doing well in my other GCSEs when I was at school and going on to do A Levels and a degree, I had a D in maths, and I got a D in my resit back in 1995.
“It’s always sat in the back of my mind, alongside the narrative of ‘I’m no good at maths’. Having a teenage son who will be doing exams in a couple of years and wanting to set a good example, and thinking I had nothing to lose, I decided to give it a go!
“The set up of the course was simple, and accessing the course content and weekly online lessons was quick and easy to navigate. A weekly live lesson every week with a wonderful supportive tutor, Lorena, was complimented by short daily challenges.”
“Despite being an online learner, Lynn decided to come go into Banbury and Bicester College this morning to collect her results, which was where she sat her exams.
“I could have accessed my result online but thought I’d go for the full experience and went into college to pick up the dreaded envelope,” she added.
“I was delighted to find out that I passed with 85%, a grade 5, which was the highest grade I could have achieved from the Foundation paper.
“I can confidently say that this has been a wonderful experience and shifted my ‘I’m no good at maths’ mentality, to ‘I’m quite good at maths, and actually enjoy it!’. Most importantly, I feel I’ve set a good example for my teenage son and for the first time, he’s coming to me asking for help with his maths homework!”
Activate Learning offers online part-time GCSEs in English and maths that are flexible and can fit around your busy life. Activate Learning also offers a wide range of online Access to HE programmes, professional courses, vocational programmes, Higher Education, leisure courses and apprenticeship opportunities. Find out more details about our online provision on the Activate Learning Adult Education website.
This year, Activate Learning is providing information, advice and guidance via Clearing sessions at their colleges in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey from GCSE Results Day, and throughout the end of August and September. Tutors and career advisors will be on hand to help anyone who is unsure as to what to do next after GCSEs and can also provide advice on funding and other student support services. Book an appointment on our website or call Activate Learning via 0800 612 6008.