Why it matters: Their stories show that adult education can provide second chances and open new career paths, with the college recording significant improvements in pass rates as 486 students received their results today.
The big picture: Suffolk New College saw particularly strong improvements across the board, with 211 people achieving grade 4 or above in maths – an increase of 88 more than last year. English results also improved, with 271 people gaining grade 4 or above, representing 55 more passes than the previous year.
James Brown's feeling good: James Brown, 34, from Ipswich, returned to study GCSEs in English and maths after struggling at school as a teenager. He achieved a grade 8 in English and grade 4 in maths, a dramatic improvement from his original D/E in English and F in maths.
"I didn't do very well as a teenager at school," said Brown. "But I came back to college and got a grade 8 in English and a grade 4 in maths. The college has given me confidence in myself. They believed in me."
When asked if he was feeling good like his namesake, James Brown the musician, he replied: "Yes."
He is now planning to enrol on an access course in science and considering either a degree in physiotherapy or setting up a bakery.
Joanne Hoy achieved top marks: Meanwhile, Joanne Hoy, 46, from Ipswich, took a GCSE in English this year to inspire her children and improve on a disappointing result from 30 years ago. She was stunned to achieve the highest possible grade.
"I can't believe that I got a 9," said Hoy, who works in technology. "I said something funny in my exam, and it paid off for me."
Hoy's advice to other adult learners reflects the supportive environment at the college: "I'd say give it everything you've got. This is such a supportive environment. I'd like to thank everyone involved."
The mother of two has now decided to pursue a long-held ambition: "I've had a novel in my head for 14 or 15 years and I'm going to get on with it now. This is the endorsement I feel I needed to carry on."
A stay-at-home mum takes one step closer to teaching maths: Another Ipswich success story includes Laurinda Spencer, 32, who achieved a grade 8 in maths after six years as a stay-at-home mother and now dreams of becoming a maths teacher.
The bottom line: James Brown isn't the only one feeling good – these Ipswich success stories prove that second chances in education can lead to first-class results.
