Second year Early Years student, Caitlin, passed her GCSE English thanks to the support she received at EKC Sheppey College, with her confidence in her upcoming GCSE Maths exam at new levels.
Whether you’re looking at studying GCSEs alongside a post-16 course, learning as an adult, or starting Year 10 with the new EKC Sheppey Junior College, Caitlin’s experience is proof that the right environment can make all the difference.
We spoke to Caitlin between her Early Years lessons to hear her thoughts and advice for new students.
How does it feel to have passed your GCSE English?
“I’m so glad that I don’t have to do it anymore as I was very proud of passing my exam, and it was a big achievement. I do miss the lessons, however. I loved studying English because my teachers here made it enjoyable, particularly when it came to looking at different texts and stories.”
What helped the most in passing your English GCSE?
“I’d say definitely the support as it played a huge role in me passing my GCSE. The College offers extra sessions if you need them, and the staff make sure that you understand each section and topic that we cover. It was so much easier to focus with this approach.
“After practice tests, they’d tell you personally, ‘You did well on that part, but you need to improve on this.’ That helped me know exactly what to focus on.”

What was the general support at College like?
“There are people you can talk to if you need help. If you need help with anything in the College or something in your personal life, you will get the support you need. I feel like since coming to College I’ve been able to ask for help and support more, as it’s so much easier to do so here than it would be at Secondary School.”
How did it feel coming to College from secondary school?
“Luckily, I’ve always known what I wanted to do, so that’s been a massive help. At Secondary School, I did Childcare, and I was so nervous to do it at College because the experiences would be different, and the sole focus on it while I study.
“The thing I like the most about College is that you get work experience here. You get first-hand knowledge of what you’re doing and the chance to see how things would run daily in that setting.”
What advice would you give to a student studying their GCSE’s here?
“It’s not a massive deal if you don’t pass the first time, it’s OK. You have time to redo it. You just need to focus, get the work done, and everything will be OK on your next attempt.
“The staff here are incredible and they will be able to help you every step of the way.”
What makes College different from school?
“For me, College is lot easier than Secondary School because you get the resources that you want and need. At my Secondary School, I found that people didn’t really give you help or support unless you acted out. Here, I get extra time to help me with my learning and my needs.
“I like College more than School because I can solely focus on Early Years. At School, you may not be interested in certain subjects, but at College, you choose one course that you really want to do and want to pursue in the future, which I love. There’s also the chance to take part in lots of events which are always fun.”

Caitlin, along with other Early Years students including Lily, have taken part in Social Action projects such as fundraising for the Bluetown Criterion, thanks to College.
EKC Sheppey College can help you achieve your goals and prepare for the future, so that like Caitlin, you’re ready to progress when you finish.
With opportunities to prepare for GCSEs including the new EKC Sheppey Junior College, you’ll be ready for your exams in no time.