Forth Valley students celebrate fab results

Students attending Forth Valley College have for the second successive year attained a 91 per cent pass rate for the English Higher exam.

Lecturers Judith Horne and Rob McDermott congratulated students, many of whom are mature learners returning to education and needing Higher English to help them to progress to new employment or education.

To capitalise on this success the college will be holding a Higher Open Evening for those wishing to find out more about what is on offer tomorrow (Thursday) at the Falkirk Campus.

One learner who recently passed his Higher English after studying at FVC was ex-military man Gordon Tibbetts (44) from Tullibody, who needed the qualification to go to university and pursue his goal of becoming a primary school teacher.

Gordon, who revealed he had achieved an A in English when he opened his results envelope recently, said:“The FVC Higher English course has been really good. I have done cheaper distance learning courses in the past, but did not feel inspired. Rob was so passionate about his subject, and as a student I feel I perform and respond better to a real life person in front of me bringing the whole subject to life.

“The best bit for me was learning how to open my eyes to the analytical side of language and the subtle techniques used by professionals, but it was all good. I would definitely recommend the course to anyone and my advice would be that you are never too old to make a change in your career or job and if you go for it, Forth Valley College will support you 100 percent.”

Rob said:“It was great to see the hard work that all the students put in to the course pay off with a great set of results again this year. The commitment that all the students put in every year is admirable. It’s not easy to juggle studying with full time work but the results in my opinion, are worth it.

“As well as opening up more opportunities to progress in employment or education I’m sure everyone who attends the Higher English class will come away with a greater understanding of the English language and maybe find an author, poet, playwright or filmmaker that they really like and want to find out more about.”