Over 50 people have received their certificates in a graduation ceremony at Cornwall College Camborne, after successfully completing an access to higher education course.

Among them was mum of five Louise Brackstone; the 30 year old from Redruth has worked as a teaching assistant for eight years, but has always wanted to take that next step.

Louise is now embarking on a foundation degree in early childhood education.

She said: “Being a mum meant I needed to learn somewhere close to home. I have worked as a teaching assistant for eight years, but it’s not what I’ve always wanted to do. Now family life has settled down, my husband is established in his career, our house is sorted and this was just the right time for me to fulfil my lifelong dream of training to become a teacher.”

The one-year Access course is designed as a stepping stone for adults aged over 18 looking to progress on to Higher Education but lacking the right qualifications or for those who are looking to change or develop their career.

Louise added: “I coped with running a family thanks to a very patient husband and managing my time, the staff were also great and really supportive. I had to be quite rigid with myself and being a mum of five you could leave nothing to the last minute, everything had to be done at the right time and I always had to leave enough time to study.

“I did my A-levels at college age and it has been a long wait to reach this next stage, but twelve years later I finally did get to do it. I’d say to anyone thinking about studying an Access course; it is hard work, don’t be afraid of it, the rewards are so much more and if you have lived a long time waiting for that dream, it is worth reaching for it. This truly is a stepping stone.”

Students returning to education can also gain access to a government backed scheme that can be used to cover the costs of tuition fees. 

Another successful student, Jennifer Gilby from Redruth, is going on to study psychology at a Russell Group University.

Show said: “The Access course was really good but a lot of hard work, I think there were times that all my hair was pulled out, but the support of the staff pulled us through, some definitely went above and beyond. I’ve now been accepted onto a psychology degree at the University of Exeter, which is something that has always interested me and I would like to learn the science behind how the psychologists help people.”

Sally Foard, director of adult learning for the Cornwall College Group said: “It’s inspiring to see those who may have missed their true calling first time around, making a meaningful change to their career path. All of the students have proved that with the right amount of determination and drive, a level of excellence can be achieved. With some of them working 40 hours a week as well, it’s a remarkable achievement.”