‘A breakthrough moment’ – how Nancy’s progression course opened up opportunities

When Nancy Esiovwa arrived in the UK from Nigeria more than ten years ago, she was determined to continue her education to secure a career in social work.

At first, her circumstances meant she could only access Level 1 and 2 courses in subjects like English and maths. Rather than letting those limitations deter her, Nancy stayed focused and, in 2022, enrolled on our Access to HE Diploma (Social Work).

That turned out to be a key step towards achieving her goals.

She has since gone on to the University of Bradford, where she was awarded a Sanctuary Grant scholarship to support her studies for a Social Work degree. 

An exciting return to education

Looking forward to completing her university course later this year, she said: “Being accepted for the Access to HE Diploma felt like a significant breakthrough to me.

“I felt excited to return to education as an adult and study at a higher level. This opportunity was particularly meaningful because, for a long time, my circumstances meant I could not access further education beyond basic courses.

“Although excited, I was also worried about whether I would be able to retain the knowledge. However, I overcame this by finding learning strategies that helped me remember and understand what was taught.

“This experience would not have been possible without the fantastic support from my teachers, whose knowledge, guidance, and commitment made the course engaging and meaningful.”

It wasn’t all plain sailing, however, and just a few months into the course Nancy was told the worrying news that she was not eligible for government funding, and would have to pay the fees herself.

That potentially devastating hurdle was overcome thanks to strong support from the college’s staff.

Invaluable help and encouragement

She said: “This was a very difficult situation for me. However, when I spoke to my tutor about it, she advocated on my behalf and provided invaluable support, which enabled me to continue and successfully complete my studies

“I am truly grateful for the encouragement and support I received from my teachers, as it gave me the opportunity to progress into higher education and work towards my career in social work.”

Now looking forward to starting work in her chosen field of child protection, Nancy has nothing but praise for the college and its staff.

A great learning environment 

She said: “I would highly recommend Keighley College to other adult learners because the teachers have a strong understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that come with returning to education later in life.

“They provide the support, encouragement, and guidance needed to help learners succeed and achieve their goals.

“In addition, the college is very accessible. It is conveniently located next to the train station, and the bus station is a five-minute walk away, with several bus stops situated both beside and opposite the college. This makes it an ideal choice for learners who rely on public transport.”

And she had these words of advice for anyone thinking about signing up for a course: “I would encourage anyone who is considering studying at Keighley College to go for it.

“It is a supportive environment where you can grow both academically and personally. Be open and honest with your teachers if you are struggling with anything or finding a subject challenging; they are approachable and will provide the support you need to succeed.”