A COLCHESTER woman who sat her GCSE in English at 60 after battling dyslexia since childhood has urged people to not give up on completing education. 

At 11 years old, Helen Amstel was unable to write her own name.

Last year, Helen started her GCSE in English with ACL Essex and completed the course this year with a grade 5.

Helen said: "I wanted to do the GCSE English course at ACL Essex because I work with children with dyslexia.

"I went into the course feeling quite nervous.

"Although I didn’t find the course easy, my tutor was brilliant and open to new ideas.

"I never thought I’d get to a place where I’d be able to do it but I have."

ACL Essex is hosting an event for people interested in starting a new course.

The advice day will be held at ACL Colchester on September 4, from 10.30am to 7.30pm.

At the event, staff will be available to help people decide what course they want to study.

There are many different courses available including GCSEs in English, Maths, and Science, as well as Hairdressing, Business, and Accounting.

(Image: ACL Essex)

Lisa Jarentowski, principal at ACL Essex, said: "We offer a range of courses for adults aged 19 or over and provide plenty of opportunities for people to pursue the career they want.

"It all starts here.

"We have a range of courses and qualifications to choose from, as well as apprenticeships for anyone aged 16 and over.

"This September, we’ll be on-hand to provide the very best information, advice and guidance to help you figure out your next steps."

As well as courses, ACL Essex also offers apprenticeships, which provide experience in the workplace and a qualification at the end.

There are also fully funded opportunities to learn, such as 12-week Skills Bootcamps, which are subject-specific courses boosting learners’ skills in certain sectors.

The Nightingale Care Bursary and Poppins Bursary are also available for funded opportunities in the healthcare and childcare sectors.

The Advice Day will take place at ACL Colchester, Wilson Marriage, Barrack Street, Colchester, CO1 2LR.

For more information, and to sign up to attend the Advice Day, visit the ACL Essex website.