In his forties, Neil Batten decided to change his life and return to education at Northern College. This would ultimately lead to him becoming a Regional Prison Coordinator for a major health charity.
Neil’s impressive journey started after attending a number of short residential courses in 2016 and 2018. These included Drug Awareness, Health Promotion, Understanding Mental Health and IT Skills.
Neil has commented: “It was not just the knowledge I gained from the courses themselves that was so important. The positivity and encouragement I received from the staff and my fellow students was massively important too. The fact that people cared, and could see something in me, helped me to see I had a future.”
In 2018, Neil did some courses at Aspire Drug and Alcohol in Doncaster and gave some talks which led to working with the health charity The Hepatitis C Trust as a volunteer. He progressed to working as a Peer Educator in the Prison system.
Neil is now a Regional Prison Coordinator for the East Midlands region. He refers to his work as his ‘calling’ and undertakes teaching sessions covering the risks of hepatitis C and promotes testing.
Northern College recently lit its building up in purple in support of the charity to help raise awareness of the condition.
“People should never write themselves off – it’s never too late to get the qualifications to achieve your goals.” (Northern College student Michelle Chambers)
Northern College GCSE student Michelle Chambers is a shining example of how it is never too late to get the qualifications you need to achieve your goals.
Michelle, aged 50, has just joined 100 per cent of adult GCSE students at Northern College who have passed their exams at grade 4 or above (equivalent to old-style grade C). Her dream is to build on her foster care experience to become a Social Worker to help others.
Northern College has just launched a new range of English and Maths courses, which run alongside functional English and Maths programmes.
The College has also recently launched new GCSE English Language (9-1) qualification designed to engage and motivate adult students through a choice of contemporary texts, relatable modern themes, and skills-based writing tasks.
GCSE student Michelle studied Maths in the evening and English in the day, whilst working as a Foster Carer to two children aged four and five. Despite being a busy foster carer, she successfully passed her GCSE English at grade 7 and GCSE Maths at grade 4.
Michelle will now progress onto a Northern College Access to Higher Education course in Humanities and Social Science. This would lead to a degree course with the aim of training as a Social Worker.
Michelle explains that being aged in her early fifties she was a little apprehensive of going back into education:
“Northern College proved ideal as it is a college designed only for adults and providing a very different learning environment from when I was at school.”
“The teaching was so relaxed with our tutors Nick and Ruth always on hand to help, even going so far as to provide extra lessons in maths when they were needed.”
Michelle credits some of the difference in the learning experience to the fact that students were there for a reason and had a goal in mind, whereas she felt that when she was at school too many students were only there because they had to be.
“I would whole heartedly recommend Northern College. You do have to be committed but the different learning approach and relaxed atmosphere made it much easier to learn.”
“People should never write themselves off – it’s never too late to get the qualifications to achieve your goals.”
Northern College wishes Michelle every success, and we remain with her every step of the way during her studies at Northern College.
Northern College for Adults has a few remaining residential and non-residential places left on our level 3 Access to Higher Education and level 2 Pre-Access to Higher Education courses starting from January 2022, to fast-track you to university. We also have additional courses starting in September 2022.
You can also apply for our new level 3 and level 2 business and enterprise courses, and our level 2 certificate, level 2 award and level 3 courses in counselling.
Residential and non-residential places available at our campus in South Yorkshire.
These courses can support you in a range of new careers, including IT professional, social work, counselling, health and human sciences, psychology and media, the Police, probation and prison service fields, youth justice, victim support, adult nursing, midwifery, health and human sciences.
For level 3 courses, students under 24 may be eligible to study for free if they do not already have a full level 3 qualification (equivalent of two A-levels). Most students aged 24 and over cover the cost of our higher-level courses by applying for an Advanced Learner Loan. You may not need to pay the loan back if you take one of our Access to Higher Education programmes and go on to complete university degree afterwards. Further information, details and eligibility can be found at: www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan/overview
We also support many students to gain the study skills they need at level 2. This includes our Level 2 Pre-Access Diploma (Health Professions, Level 2 Pre-Access Diploma (Social Studies), and various English, Maths and Digital qualifications you need to achieve your goals. We can provide you with guidance on most appropriate course level when you apply, or contact us to learn more.
Once again its congratulations and very well done to all our GCSE adult students. 100 per cent of them have achieved grade 4 or higher (equivalent to grade C or above).
This marvelous achievement is a testimony to their hard work and to the commitment, and effort of the tutors and support staff at Northern College.
Northern College runs English and Maths courses for adults, to support them to re-enter education to gain employment, retrain or access university. These run at flexible times to suit learners’ needs, including during the day and at weekends.
Satisfaction rates for all courses are high, with excellent feedback.
GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade 4 or above are considered to be the ‘gold standard’ for English and Mathematics qualifications for entry into University and by employers. This achievement gives adults a competitive edge when applying for jobs, as well as supporting them in their studies.
Many adults can also study for free. This is because GCSE and Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths are free to anyone who doesn’t already have either a GCSE grade 4 (C grade), or a Level 2 in the specific subject. This means that the Government will fund English and maths studies for adults until they achieve either of these grades regardless of your age, or whether or not you are in work.
Recent comments received from students include:
Now the results have been received, there are plenty of opportunities for progression onto other courses at the College. Take a look at our courses section to see the range of courses that are on offer. Once again, well done to all our students on their great success!
Do you want to change the world in some way?
Northern College, the only adult residential college in the North, supports adults to re-enter education to progress, gain employment or make a career change through immersive residential learning and wrap-around support. We have excellent achievement rates and are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
Many students report that a period of short intensive study at Northern College is life changing. You can read about many transformational journeys on our website here: www.northern.ac.uk
We are currently looking for Tutors and Lead Tutors to play a key role in our work, in the following areas:
You can learn more about the individual job roles here: https://www.education-recruiter.com/jobs/northern-college
You will work in a college which has been referred to as ‘one of the most beautiful colleges in the UK.’
We are based in the magnificent grade 1 listed Wentworth Castle, which is surrounded by 500 acres of National Trust gardens and parkland. This unique setting has been changing lives for over 40 years, and we hope you’ll join us to help shape its future for the next 40.
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us: www.northern.ac.uk/contact-us
At Northern College, we provide the courses, accommodation and opportunities so you can face the future with confidence. Our residential college for adults offers a wide range of courses and many of our students are eligible to study for free.
Start a new chapter with Northern College – call us on 01226 776000 to learn more.
Northern College is the only adult residential college in the North and we are passionate about supporting adults to achieve their career goals.
But why choose to study at Northern College?
Still not sure if Northern College is right for you? Come along to one of our Virtual Open Events, meet our team and ask us your questions about returning to education as an adult.
If you’re looking to retrain and restart your career like Abe and Bryn have (as featured in our video: Why Choose Northern College, then find out more about our Access to Higher Education courses in IT, Health Care, Policing or Social Work/Care which will fast track you to university in around nine months.
You can study:
Did you know? You can take out an Advanced Learner Loan to study on one of our Access to Higher Education courses and don’t need to repay if it if you complete your degree afterwards.
We also offer a wide range of short courses aimed at equipping adults with the skills and qualifications they need to progress in work and everyday life. Choose to begin your new chapter this Spring and Summer with one of our introductory one–day courses in Peer Mentoring, Social Action or Criminology and maybe progress onto accredited level 1 and 2 courses in subjects such as; Counselling, Community Organising or Interpersonal Skills. You may be eligible to study for free if you are unemployed, on certain benefits, or earn £17,004 a year or less. We also offer an entry level essential digital skills qualification which all adults can study for free.
If you need support to complete your application, please contact our Student Support Services department by emailing studentservices@northern.ac.uk
If doesn’t matter where you are in your learning journey – we can help you find the best place to start.
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We have a whole team to support you through your studies to make sure you do well.
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We can offer you all the advice you need about course fees, funding support and Advanced Learner Loans.
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Our students tell it best – find out more about their own journeys.
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