Students at Redcar and Cleveland College celebrated graduation this week with a ceremony at Kirkleatham Walled Garden.

The event saw 63 learners take to the stage in caps and gowns, cheered on by an audience of friends and family.

Among those picking up qualifications was mum-of-three Marie. Stepping out as valedictory speaker, she said: “It felt both nerve-wracking and exciting. I never imagined that I could get this far, never mind go on to be asked to speak at graduation.”

For the Redcar mum, her route into higher education was quite unexpected.  She explained: “I came with my son when he was enrolling at the college, and I left enrolled on a course myself.”

Already having picked up qualifications in English and maths, Marie first signed up to study an access to higher education in humanities and social sciences course.  That spur of the moment decision proved lifechanging for the 45-year-old.

Her experience as an adult learner, like so many others, has involved juggling the demands of higher education study, work and family life.

But the result meant she has gone on to complete the access course, a higher education certificate in health and social care, and now the Foundation Degree in Health, Wellbeing and Social Support.  

“It hasn’t been easy,” she said. “But I have an amazing support network of friends around me, along with my sons.  I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Part of the Education Training Collective, Redcar and Cleveland College’s graduation offers the chance to shine a light on higher education students.

The college offers a selection of higher education certificates, HNCs, foundation degrees and full honours degrees, many delivered in partnership with Teesside University.

Lewis was among those celebrating in Redcar, after completing his HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

A former bar manager, the course proved the first step towards a new career for the 25-year-old from Middlesbrough.

He said: “I did want to be an engineer when I was younger, but it has taken me a little while to rediscover that path.”

After returning to the classroom, with support from his tutors, Lewis started to excel in his studies, picking up distinctions along the way. In his second year he secured an apprenticeship with Nissan.

He said: “It has all happened very quickly for me, but that is what I needed. It was a big step to decide to retrain and prioritise my studies, but it has been worth it.”

Of the graduation celebrations, he said: “It has been fun. Having not completed university first-time round, to be able to come here and celebrate was important to me.”

Redcar and Cleveland College’s vice principal, Sarah Johnson, said: “We are incredibly proud of all our students and everything they achieve throughout the year. However, our graduation feels particularly important as it offers the chance to turn the spotlight on the achievements of those adult learners who have taken the decision to return to their studies, to fulfil their ambitions, and often do so around the additional demands of work and family life.  Well done to each and every one.”