Life has been transformed for two students following A-level successes at Keighley College.

Five years ago single mum Gillian Burgess, by her own admission, had no real purpose or future. But on the advice of a friend she went along to the college, and emerged two years later with grade As in psychology and sociology and a B in general studies at A/S level.

Now - three years on - Gillian has achieved a first-class qualification in a social policy degree course at Bradford University and is to undertake a PhD. Her doctorate will involve studying lone mothers and paid employment.

She says: "With not having done any kind of academic study for 15 years I initially found it quite hard work. It wasn't so much the actual subjects but the effort of combining study, home life and child care. At one point towards the end of the first year I seriously considered dropping one of the subjects, as I found the course work really quite time consuming and hard going. But the support and encouragement I received from my tutor inspired me to stick with it.

"The two years I spent at Keighley College opened up a totally new world for me, full of challenges and opportunities. It inspired me with the confidence I needed to continue in higher education and beyond."

Meanwhile, Matt Towers, who took A-levels at the college after leaving school, has now gained a first-class science degree in genetics at Leeds University and has been accepted to study a doctorate.

He partly attributes his success to the positive attitude instilled by studying with the college team.

For details about A-level courses at the college, contact Ken Hargreaves on 618555 or the Guidance Centre on 618600.

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