Arlene Aims for a Degree Course after SERC Maths classes

Arlene Cleland, from Castlewellan is planning her career pathway with the help of a GCSE course at SERC.  

Arlene, who is 36, has been working in childcare and has gained qualifications as she has progressed, including a Pearson BTec Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership.

However, in one area, success has so far eluded her: GCSE Maths, and she has decided this can’t hold her back from achieving her ambition. 

She says,  “I work in the local health trust alongside the children’s nursing team, supporting children with complex "needs. This has given me an insight into nursing, and both the parents I was working with and my colleagues encouraged me to consider it for myself, so I investigated upskilling. I decided I would love to start on a nursing degree, but then realised I would need the GCSE to be accepted. 

I have tried to pass the qualification more than once, and I would be fine in class, but nerves got the better of me when it came to the exam. But I knew where I wanted to get to, so I didn’t hesitate - I came down to SERC in Downpatrick and enrolled”.  

Covering the course in one year, with just one evening a week in class, is quite intensive but Arlene says like many adult learners, she has been ready to put the work in and achieve her aim: 

“I think as you get older you are more receptive; you want to succeed – I haven’t missed a class. You become aware that you must put in the work and find the time for private study; I have given it my all and I can see that’s had an effect, so I am hopeful of success.” 

Arlene says the camaraderie in the class has helped, adding,

“We have a good tutor in Sam Faulds. He makes it fun, and he has that ability to explain things, to find a way that makes sense to you.  In class this time round, I am not embarrassed to say, 'I don’t understand' – that way you get help, and you will understand! I think that’s another thing that comes as you get older – you lose that embarrassment.  We have been thoroughly prepared – we have not only done practice papers but took a mock exam in the hall where we’ll be sitting the GCSE so that has also helped with the nerves.  

“What has also impressed me at SERC, is that we’ve had people coming to us throughout the year telling us about support teams and what help is available. Everyone wants you to succeed.”   

Arlene has a clear vision of the way ahead, planning to take an Open University Degree in Children’s Nursing. Her employer has offered to support her, so she will continue to work alongside her studies.   

She concludes.  “I love learning, and I would recommend returning to study – don’t put it off. It’s hard at 16 to know what you want to do. For a lot of people, they think 'school isn’t for me' and then after a few short years at a job they think, 'well this isn’t really for me, either'. You then realise a qualification behind you is worth it. If you check out SERC, there are so many options and ways to succeed – you can get to achieve things you never thought you would.”      

Register to attend our Open Evening from 5pm – 8pm on Thursday 5 June at the college’s Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses and find out more about part-time and full-time courses.