As part of ADHD Awareness Month this October, ACL Essex is proud to share learner Darcy’s story to support the theme “Awareness is Key”, helping to educate others, challenge myths, and reduce stigma around ADHD.
Adult learners across Essex opened their GCSE results on Thursday 21 August. This year, ACL Essexsupported lots of adults to boost their career opportunities by gaining GCSEs in English, Maths and Science. One fast-track learner has achieved top results.
Darcy Jackson, 28, from Chelmsford, achieved an outstanding Grade 9 GCSE in English. That amazing result puts Darcy in the top 5% of the whole of the UK, including every school whose students had several lessons a week over two years. Darcy achieved their result in just six months of part-time learning with ACL Essex. Darcy tells their story:
“As someone failed by more than one system, I was a high school and college drop out. I was later diagnosed with ADHD and ASD among other disabilities that meant I struggled and didn’t succeed under ‘traditional’ education, even though I was predicted Bs (8) and As (9) across all subjects.
“I desperately want to better my future. With education comes opportunities and security that doesn’t come with a life on benefits or some insecure jobs. I now have three GCSE’s that count. My English GCSE is helping to pave the way for the future I want to build for myself and my partner, together. Acquiring the grades I missed through ACL is putting me on the right tracks to achieve my dreams and goals.
“I went into this course with no expectations, no clues and only sheer determination to do the absolute best that I can – after being out of education for 10 years! I received a grade 9 in my exams and a distinction in my spoken language. I am damn proud of myself – a grade 9!
“It did not come easy. Every opportunity I had I’d be doing flash cards with my partner. I’d be doing mock tests and re-tests. I’d ask my tutors a million questions and they didn’t mind because they knew I was trying my best and wanted me to succeed – and it paid off!
“My next step is Biology and Chemistry, which I will be starting with ACL this September and I’m really excited after the amazing experience I had with my English course.
“My goal is to get those two science GCSE, do a course for my UCAS points to become a Clinical Psychiatrist specialising in paediatric neurology. I want to specialise in assessing and diagnosing children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. I want to help prevent more children slipping through the gaps like I did in school. It’s a particular passion of mine that hits home.
“My aunt does the same thing, incredibly successfully, and is my inspiration for how I want to progress through the next six years to achieve my career goals.
“At university I aim to study something akin to psychology with communication or psychology with neurodevelopmental aspects and nursing to prepare me for assessing, diagnosing and eventually sitting my pharmacology exam, to be qualified to prescribe medications.”
Congratulating learners is Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability. He says: “ACL Essex has once again supported many adults across the county to gain the GCSEs they need to further their careers. Many learners have had to juggle work and family commitments to secure their grades. They’re now able to take the next step with their careers and we would like to congratulate every single one of them!”
Sharron Howard, Curriculum Lead adds: At ACL we offer support to all neurodivergent learners with both their academic and social/emotional needs. We have an experienced learning support team who can support individuals in class and with 1to1 tutorials to ensure they can keep up with their programme of study and offer physical support and suggest technology which will improve their study skills. ACL prides itself on its amazing safeguarding team who support learners and staff with concerns but also offers pastoral support and advice, sign posting to other organisations that may be able to help. In addition to this ACL offers an exciting and innovative provision within its Supported Learning curriculum, where courses have been specifically designed to support learners with additional needs and/or neurodivergences.“
ACL Essex has flexible options including online classes, evening sessions, and community-based centres across the county. To find out more, or to sign-up to one of the courses, visit www.aclessex.com.
