Here are four examples from City of Westminster College that prove how acquiring skills can improve confidence and change lives. Two are taken from among this year’s Student Award winners and two are former students who now work at the College. In all four cases, the students overcame obstacles relating to language, previous education or background.
Student Award winners
Layla Sharif Ali, 21, came to the UK from Somalia in 2003 and has made extraordinary progress in her National Diploma in Business – all the more remarkable because she combines study with bringing up her son, aged three. Layla says: “My country has been at war for so long that this has been my first opportunity to learn. I will be proud of myself when I qualify and get a job.”
Asqlan Pirzada, 17, achieved straight As in his GCSE Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Biology plus A* in English Language and English Literature. These top grades are a real achievement because Asqlan left the UK school system in 2001 when his family moved to Pakistan and only returned in 2006. Now studying for five A Levels with the College, his sights are firmly fixed on university. Asqlan says: “It’s taken a lot of hard work and some very good teachers.”
Former students turned College staff
Sue Porter signed up for an Access to Humanities course in 1979 at the age of 37 and the experience was so much more enjoyable than school that she ended up going on to university. She came back to City of Westminster College as a tutor in 1985 and rose to Head of School and Deputy Director of Faculty before heading up Student Entitlement, where she manages careers advice, essential skills and enrichment. She is due to retire this December. Sue says: “The Access course was a huge second chance for me – especially as I had two school age children - so I know how other adult returners feel. But as someone who didn’t do well at school myself, I can also empathise with many of our 16-year-olds.”
Ignace Guga took a one-year Access to Computing course in 1999. He had an extra hurdle to cross as English was not his first language, but he qualified successfully and moved on to a job in IT. In 2003 Ignace returned to the College and is now Learning Zone IT Manager, helping other students develop essential skills. Ignace says: “The best thing about having studied here is that I really understand the place and the people. I also remember just what it feels like to be a student!”