Adult learners at Lewisham Adult Education Service (ALL) achieve excellent GCSE English and maths results

For adult learners, gaining a GCSE qualification can be a life-changing achievement, providing a pathway to higher education, better job prospects and increased confidence.

GCSE English and Maths are widely valued by employers, colleges and universities, serving as key qualifications for accessing further education, apprenticeships and a range of career opportunities. For adults who did not gain these qualifications at school, returning to study can provide a gateway to new possibilities.

At Adult Learning Lewisham, adult learners are supported to gain these essential qualifications alongside a wide range of courses designed to build skills, boost employability and support lifelong learning.

This year’s GCSE results demonstrate the impact of that support, with learners performing well above national averages. In Maths, almost half of Adult Learning Lewisham learners (49%) achieved a grade 4 or higher, compared with 13% nationally. High attainment was also notable, with 12% of learners achieving a grade 7 or above, significantly exceeding the national figure of 0.5%.

English results also showed strong progress. More than a third of learners (35%) gained a grade 4 or above, nearly double the national average of 18%. This represents a five-percentage point improvement on last year’s results, highlighting continued progress across the provision.

Maintaining strong results reflect the resilience and commitment of Adult Learning Lewisham learners, many of whom balance their studies alongside work, family and other responsibilities. They also underline the dedication of teaching staff who work closely with learners to help them achieve their goals.