Northern College is supporting a national campaign that celebrates the positive impact of the further education sector and the achievements of students and staff.

This year’s Colleges Week is highlighting the contribution that colleges make to building brighter futures and supporting their communities

The national campaign champions the adults and young people who study and train at colleges as well as the staff who teach them and runs from 3rd to 7th March 2025.

Northern College, based at Wentworth Castle, Barnsley, specialises in adult education and provides short community courses as well as academic and vocational qualifications.  

As the only adult residential college in the North of England, it serves learners across South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire as well as further afield.

Students can study residentially or non-residentially. The college is also developing an online course offer.

A high proportion of students are from under-represented or disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and have additional learning needs.

During 2023/24, 78% of learners were unemployed when they joined the college and 56% had no qualifications above Level 1.

Of 976 learners last year, 90% continued in education, started paid employment or self-employment or got involved in voluntary work after finishing their studies at the college.

Adult learner Kay Fielder has fulfilled a lifelong ambition of going to university after returning to education later in life and studying at Northern College.

Kay completed an Access to Higher Education course at Northern College in 2024. She also passed a Functional Maths course.

Now the 57-year-old, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is studying for a BSc Honours Degree in Occupational Therapy at Sheffield Hallam University.

Kay said: “I have become a new person, I no longer recognise my old self. I feel so empowered. Thanks to Northern College, I have grown in confidence renewing my passion for life and learning.”

Kay decided that she needed a fresh start after going through several major life events. She explained: “I had always wanted to go to university but did not have enough qualifications. I thought it was a pipe dream and something that wouldn’t come to fruition.”

Access courses prepare adult learners, who do not have academic qualifications such as A Levels, for study at degree level. The one-year courses lead to credits and a Level 3 qualification recognised by colleges, universities and employers.

“I fell in love with Northern College the first day I walked through the door even though I was shaking like a leaf,” added Kay, who was a residential student, and heard about the college through her previous job working for a government agency for 32 years.

“I was in a new environment and way out of my comfort zone as a neurodivergent person. After being out of education for so long, I thought I would not fare that well. But the support from staff was amazing from day one.

“Staying as a residential student for a couple of nights a week was the best thing for me. When you are in that academic environment, it puts you in the right mindset for learning. The structure and routine really helped me to adapt, focus and learn.”

Kay is enjoying her degree course and looking forward to a new career in occupational therapy. She added: “Getting into university was a dream come true. You are never too old to learn. Don’t let age or any other barriers hold you back. Give yourself a chance.”

Emma Beal, Principal and Chief Executive, Northern College, said: “It is incredibly rewarding to see learners like Kay overcome barriers and develop the confidence to learn and achieve.

“We provide a supportive environment that inspires adults to achieve more than they thought possible enabling them to gain qualifications, secure employment and progress in careers.”

Find out more about our courses.