This week I had the privilege of interviewing 81-year-old James O'Neil, from Winklebury, who has successfully passed his English GCSE qualification after studying an adult learning course at Basingstoke College of Technology.
He said initially he felt "embarrassed" about it, but was motivated by his desire to improve his grammar. James' hard work paid off and he achieved a Grade 8 after "sailing through" his studies.
According to the National Literacy Trust, 16 per cent of adults in the UK are considered to be 'functionally illiterate'. This clearly wasn't the case in James' scenario, but I wonder how many adults are put off by the idea of education later in life by fear or worry about what others think? I hope James' story will inspire those who want to learn to follow suit.
Katie French, Editor
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