{"id":71003,"date":"2026-08-20T17:07:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T16:07:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=71003"},"modified":"2026-08-20T20:44:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T19:44:37","slug":"learn-devons-gcse-pass-rate-higher-than-national-benchmark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/learn-devons-gcse-pass-rate-higher-than-national-benchmark\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn Devon’s GCSE pass rate higher than national benchmark"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Adult learners who have studied through Learn Devon<\/a>, our adult education service, are among those who received their GCSE results today (Thursday 20 August).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year saw 79% of Learn Devon\u2019s adult learners pass their English GCSE and 73% passed their Maths GCSE – above the national benchmark of 67%. Many of them visited their local Learn Devon centre to collect their results, where staff were on hand to congratulate them on their achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those to gain their GCSEs were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gemma Beenham \u2013 passed GCSE Maths with a grade 4.<\/strong>
She said: \u201cI woke up this morning and I thought I had failed when I saw the grade boundaries on the Pearson Edexcel website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI tried to count marks throughout my exam so I thought I might pass. When I saw the grade boundaries, I really didn\u2019t think that I would pass, but I was really pleased to see that I did in fact get the grade, at grade 4. I\u2019m genuinely in disbelief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had Owen as my tutor and he was really good, he helped and explained things in different ways so that we understood. He really cared about us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I\u2019ve got a few plans; I’m hoping to do cabin crew on an airline but that could change now that I have my English and Maths qualifications. It\u2019s opened more doors for me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Olena Paksiutkina – passed GCSE English with grade 5 and merit. Olena is originally from Ukraine.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said: “I\u2019ve taken my GCSE English four times, and I have now passed! I feel a great sense of achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSarah Brandt and Nell Osborne made all the difference in the classroom. Nell provided additional support in her own time. People were listening to me and they gave me the chance. Karen and Vanessa were a great support with getting ready and supporting me with computer issues and other concerns in the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Joe Green, Learn Devon’s SENCo, helped me with my health condition and got me additional time during the exam. I\u2019m an extra anxious person. At Learn Devon, the atmosphere is so friendly, everyone is making sure you\u2019re alright.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lauren White \u2013 passed GCSE English with a grade 5.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said: \u201cSpeechless, I\u2019m never speechless but I am right now. I loved the classes – I actuality miss doing them. The tutor, Sarah, was amazing, the most lovely person ever. It was my first time learning online. I was really nervous at first but thoroughly enjoyed it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn Devon<\/a> offers free GCSE English and Maths qualifications, with courses starting in September and in January.<\/p>\n\n\n

\r\n\t
\r\n

Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member with responsibility for adult education, said: <\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cCongratulations to everyone who received their GCSE results today and it’s great to see Learn Devon’s pass rates above national benchmarks. Whether you’re an adult learner or a school student, it’s a big day, and I hope everyone achieved what they were aiming for.<\/p>\n

“For many adults, returning to education may feel like a huge step, but thousands of people are studying a variety of courses through Learn Devon. Whether it’s to gain new skills or qualifications to build confidence, progress your career or kickstart new job opportunities, it’s never too late to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs and Broadband<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn Devon offers a range of free adult education courses across Devon. Courses cover a variety of subject areas including Digital Skills & IT, Health and social care, Education and childcare, as well as English and Maths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information visit Learn Devon\u2019s website<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":71004,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[22,24,2176],"tags":[2312,2237,563,362],"class_list":["post-71003","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-economy-and-skills","category-dcc-homepage","category-skills","tag-adult-education","tag-cllr-cheryl-cottle-hunkin","tag-gcse-results","tag-learn-devon"],"acf":[],"featured_image":{"ID":71004,"title":"Copy of hero image for news website - 2026-08-20T162335.512","alt":"Adult learners collecting their GCSE 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