Adult students achieved top grades in GCSEs and A-levels

---

Two students among the highest marks in the country.

Adult education students have achieved a string of top grades in their GCSEs and A-levels – with two students gaining among the highest marks in the country for their GCSE Spanish and French.

Five students gained A*s and one gained an A in French GCSE, another five gained A*s in Italian GCSE and four students achieved A* grades in Spanish – with two scoring among the country’s top five marks in Spanish and French GCSE with the AQA exam board (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance).

Meanwhile three students achieved A grades in A-level Portuguese.

Among the GCSE successes was Marcia Da Poian, 35, from Fulham, who gained A* grades in her Italian and Spanish GCSEs as well as a B in English after taking one-year, part-time courses at the Macbeth Centre, in Hammersmith. Her mark in Spanish was among the AQA exam board’s top five nationally out of 37,340 candidates.

Marcia said: “I am Brazilian, speak Portuguese and have a Spanish speaking step-mother and Italian grandparents. I wanted to study Spanish and Italian to communicate better with my relatives and friends and to help me in my work. I am an artist so this will help me to organise exhibitions at home and abroad.”

Judithea Tchikaya, 15, from Fulham, was the other A* student whose marks were among the country’s top five for Spanish (37,340 candidates, AQA board) and French GCSE (163,000 entrants, also AQA). Judithea’s school, in a neighbouring borough, gave her permission to take the courses at the Macbeth Centre because the school couldn’t offer her Spanish GCSE.

Valerie Jacques, languages curriculum manager for the council’s adult education service, said: “Many of our students want to travel or work abroad, while others have partners, friends or relatives whom they want to communicate better with. Our tutors are all native speakers and highly-skilled teachers, who make classes fun as well as useful. The emphasis is on practical use of a language so you can go to the country, speak to people and understand what they say to you.”

With the new term starting on 20 September for adult students, tutors hope these successes will encourage more residents to discover their potential by enrolling on courses ranging from languages, computer skills and business studies to motor vehicle maintenance, cookery or a wide range of arts and crafts.

Cllr David Williams, deputy for education, said: “Our adult education service is one of the best in the country. Whether you want to improve your career prospects, experience the thrill of learning something new or simply meet new people, our professional teaching staff will enable you to realise your potential. The new term starts on 20 September and I would urge residents who are thinking of enrolling to pick up a course guide or contact our information line as soon as possible.”

 

September 11, 2004