Picking up her first ever qualification on GCSE results day was quite a moment for Susan.
Opening that envelope, she said: “I felt quite apprehensive, I was just hoping that I hadn’t let myself down.”
As it turns out the Guisborough grandmother needn’t have worried as she achieved an impressive grade 5.
“I was very surprised but also pleased,” she said. “At 67, for me a pass is a pass, but when they told me it was such a good result, I was chuffed to bits with myself.”
First choosing to study maths two years ago at Redcar and Cleveland College, Susan said her intention then was simply to brush up on her skills to be able to help her grandchildren with their schoolwork.
She said: “I used to love maths, but they would come home from school, and I would think, what on Earth are they talking about? Things are so different from when I was at school 50 years ago.”
Keen to be able to offer a helping hand, Susan signed up for the functional skills course at the college. It was the teachers that urged her to progress to the GCSE.
She said: “I didn’t think I would be able to do it, but obviously I have now proven that I can.”
Susan explained: “You didn’t get qualifications when I was at school. I left and went straight into being a shop assistant.”
After a career spent working in shops, the post office and ultimately a post office manager, Susan has obviously remained good with numbers. Though she said: “You do get a bit rusty.”
Studying through the challenges of covid, Susan said: “I have had a combination of online lessons and face-to-face, but I most enjoyed the lessons in college.”
Not a technical person, she said thankfully her husband was always on hand to offer technical support.
Now with her first ever qualification in hand, she said: “In a way I am disappointed that it’s finished. I am not one for just sitting around, I like to be doing something.
“The family are so proud of me, and I am proud of them.
“I have proven that you are never too old to learn, and if you want to do something you should just get up and do it!”
