Tag: student story

Many students leave school due to ill health. Is distance learning the answer?

Many students leave school due to ill health. Is distance learning the answer?

Many students who have had to drop out of school due to illness find that distance learning works for them as a flexible alternative that fits with their lifestyle and allows for more independence in learning.  Brogan chose to study with NEC after having dropped out from high school due to illness, needing to find […]

Deepening an interest in history through A level History of Art

Deepening an interest in history through A level History of Art

NEC student Sarah has always loved studying and education, having taken 3 A levels at school and gone on to study history at University before completing an MPhil. She went on to use her history qualifications in her career, working in history, media and heritage. Sarah now works as an editor for a history website […]

A level French leads to career progression and a second chance at languages!

A level French leads to career progression and a second chance at languages!

NEC student Edda’s story gives insight into the importance of lifelong learning and not letting criticism get you down. Having been told in Year 8 by a French teacher that she was “hopeless at languages”, Edda was not entered by her school for the French O level or CSE (equivalent to foundation GCSE) and believed […]

Is it possible to balance work and study?

Is it possible to balance work and study?

You don’t have to have a career in mind to pursue your interests. Nikki was working full-time and had already achieved 10 GCSEs, 4 A levels and a maths degree when she decided to enrol with NEC. Nikki says that it’s her love of history that brought her back into education.  “My study is completely […]

A levels alongside full-time performing arts college leads to nursing at University of Southampton

A levels alongside full-time performing arts college leads to nursing at University of Southampton

With a part-time job and studying full-time at her local performing arts college, Kayleigh found that distance learning with NEC fit around her other commitments. Structured Fast Track A level Biology gave her the opportunity to complete an A level within a year with the benefits of a set schedule, assignment deadlines, tutor support and […]

How can studying improve your teaching?

How can studying improve your teaching?

As Head of Art at an academy in South East London, Aasha understands how difficult it has been for teachers to adapt to a new way of teaching. In the following article, she explores how studying on NEC’s A level History of Art course has improved her teaching and benefited her students. Why choose A […]

83 year old author and lifelong learning advocate, Diana, used lockdown to pursue her interest in philosophy

83 year old author and lifelong learning advocate, Diana, used lockdown to pursue her interest in philosophy

When lockdown hit, Diana (83) decided to use her time shielding to pursue a subject that has fascinated her for the last 10 years. Born in 1937, Diana passed the eleven-plus but home life made studying difficult. With parents focused on marriage prospects, she left school at 14 and went out to work. Diana had […]

Doing A level Biology in a year with NEC leads to medicine at Swansea University

Doing A level Biology in a year with NEC leads to medicine at Swansea University

After deciding to return to university to study medicine, Darius considered independently organising and sitting an A level but wasn’t sure where to start. His research brought him to NEC’s Structured Fast Track A level Biology. “I chose NEC because of all the positive reviews I had seen online. The onboarding website and team were […]

From the 1960s to today: A levels with NEC lead to dream teaching job

From the 1960s to today: A levels with NEC lead to dream teaching job

Over the years, we have helped thousands of students gain English language and literature qualifications and achieve their full potential. Patricia first studied with NEC in the 1960s and went on to study at university, ultimately gaining her dream job of teaching. Here is her experience of studying with a newly-founded NEC and rediscovering our […]

International Women’s Day Student Story: The NEC A level English Literature course was my 1970s lifesaver!

International Women’s Day Student Story: The NEC A level English Literature course was my 1970s lifesaver!

International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate women, highlight inequality and challenge biases. Dr Jacqueline Jeynes studied with NEC in the 1970s and has gone on to gain a PhD. Her story is one of resilience and determination. Please note that this post contains themes of domestic abuse and coercive control, and we understand […]