Swanning off to University

Colin Swanson of Hopwood Hall College, Middelton

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Hopwood Hall has enjoyed another successful year, with many mature students sitting their GCSEs and performing remarkably well.

A success story of results this year comes from 38 year old Colin Swanson who has completed both Access levels 2 and 3 at Hopwood Hall College in Middleton.

Today Mr Swanson celebrated 5 A-C GCSE’s in English, Maths, Science, History and Law and also a Diploma in Human and Social Sciences which he gained full credits.

However, Mr Swanson explains how it hasn’t been an easy ride. Following being laid off from work after a series of back complaints in 2005 Mr Swanson found sitting at home terribly boring; with all his friends and his wife busy with work Mr Swanson decided to visit an education fair.

Being impressed with what he saw Hopwood Hall had to offer he decided to go back to learning in the hope of turning his life around.

Mr Swanson said: “I really worked for my grades and it wasn’t an easy ride at all.” He added: “Every year the government says that exams are being dumbed down, but I can’t see how.”

Now Mr Swanson has achieved these grades he plans to go onto study Contempory Military International History at Salford University in 2010.

As well as celebrating his results today Mr Swanson was also smiling about his acceptance on the Helena Kennedy Foundation Bursary Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to provide much needed financial support to disadvantaged students, who have completed a further education course and wish to progress to higher education.

Mr Swanson said: “Being given the bursary will make a huge difference and enable me to continue studying, without receiving this money I wouldn’t be able to get from Rochdale to Salford or buy all the resources I will need.”

“I have had a complete blast for the last two years at Hopwood Hall and I will miss all the people, everybody looked after each other here.

“Coming to Hopwood Hall gave me the opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and overall has given me a new lease of life.”

A couple of friends who were also celebrating at Hopwood Hall College today were Melinda Taylor and Janette Goddard.

The pair who want to be midwives decided to go back to college to do their GCSE’s to enable them to get to the next step of learning for a midwifery course.

Ms Taylor received 1 B and 4 C grades and said “I am so happy to have passed them.”

Ms Goddard got 2 A, 2 B and 1 C Grades and said: “I am really proud I’m glad I have got there, eventually.”

Although the ladies won’t be celebrating tonight they said they will be treating themselves to a brew and a slice of cake.

Overall achievement rates for Access Level 2 course:
Students achieving grades A-G: 97%
Students achieving grades A-C: 52%

Overall achievement rates for GCSE:
Students achieving grades A-G: 99%
Students achieving grades A-C: 48%