Hi! What’s your name and what did you study at the College? 

Hi, I’m Ellaina and I studied a Level 2 in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health, a Level 2 in Self-harm and Suicide Awareness & Prevention, a Level 2 in Special Education Needs and Disability, and I’ve just finished a Level 2 in Understanding Autism. I’ve inquired about enrolling onto another course, the Level 2 in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties. 

I started about a year ago. Once I finished one course, I just went straight onto another one. I found with them being online, I was able to work at my own pace which was a lot easier to do. 

What motivated you to choose these courses? 

With the Mental Health and Suicide Awareness & Prevention courses, they were more for personal reasons relating to my daughter. I wanted to understand a bit better what she was going through and how to help her. I thought that if this can help her, maybe I can help others too. 

We are also in the process of waiting for my son to be assessed, so with studying Special Education Needs and Disability and Understanding Autism the aim was for me to gain understanding about methods I can use to help him. I currently work in a special educational needs school, and the knowledge I’ve gained helps me in my work. 

Did these courses help you find employment? How do they help you in your role? 

I think the Mental Health and Suicide Awareness & Prevention courses helped me gain employment. When I first started working at a special educational needs school, I thought that maybe there’s a course at MK College that I can do. The Special Education Needs and Disability course worked perfectly with my job. After completing the course, I understood a bit better what these children go through, the different support that they need and the methods schools must adopt. 

Down the line I would like to go into that field, or I’d like to be a pastoral support worker within a school. Where I work, there’s a lot of safeguarding and we have children who experience mental health problems. My employer liked that I had that kind of background knowledge. 

I think it’s amazing because I did my teaching assistant course at the beginning of last year, and then I did the Mental Health one and the Suicide Prevention Awareness course a few months after that and by November, I had gone into employment.  

I wonder, if I hadn’t have done these extra courses, would I have been in the employment that I am in now? It showed them that I’m willing to gain more understanding, and the courses that I took have given me good knowledge within my work environment. 

What were some of the highlights from your courses? 

I like the fact that the courses were online, and you go at your own pace. If you miss a deadline, you still have a week to get it completed, so it does give you a bit more of flexibility. 

I really enjoyed learning about different conditions, the processes behind getting a diagnosis, coping strategies and how to approach and help someone in a crisis. You don’t even realise, because in this society the only things you really hear about are anxiety and depression. In the course materials, there are a lot of useful resources and helplines. 

It’s given me qualifications that have helped me go further in my career. 

What advice would you give to someone wanting to apply for these courses? 

It’s good to sit down to brush up on your knowledge and gain outside perspective. I’m the type of person who loves to gain knowledge. Even if it’s a Level 1 and you breeze through that and then think, “hang on a minute, maybe I’ll take another one!” Now going on to my fifth course at MK College. 

It’s accommodating for people who work and have children at home. With the courses being online, you don’t have to sit in a classroom all day and arrange the logistics – some people can’t get there because of transport or they can’t arrange childcare. It’s good that you can still learn while being a full-time parent. 

I like the fact that if you are on universal credit, you can do it for free. It’s so easy because if you’re unemployed and looking for work, it gives you that confidence to go and gain qualifications and knowledge and build up your CV that you can send out and hopefully someone will think, “they suit this role, we’ll bring them in for an interview.” 

Learn more about these courses by following the links below: 

Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health – MK College 

Level 2 Certificate in Self-harm and Suicide Awareness and Prevention – MK College 

Level 2 Certificate in Special Education Needs and Disability – MK College 

Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism – MK College

Studying an Access to HE Health Professions course, Jay spoke about what his college experience has been like and what he’s learned along the way, with insights and tips for college life and confidence as an adult learner. Read on to find out more. 

Hello! Who are you and what are you studying? 

Hi! I’m Jay and I’m studying Access to HE Health Professions. 

You’re receiving an award for Access to Higher Education tonight – congratulations! Are you happy that you chose this path? 

I am, yes! It was a surprise that I was nominated, let alone winning the award. Out of everyone on the Access course, I didn’t think that I was going to be that was going to be the winner. I’m very excited and very happy to be here. 

What are your highlights from your time at the College? 

There are so many of them. Every day going to college has been fun, it’s something that I look forward to week in and week out, meeting all my colleagues and my work in class as well. It’s a great environment to work in so I’ve really enjoyed that. 

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced during your time at the College and how did you overcome it? 

The biggest challenge I had was that I’d been out of education for so long, I left school when I was 16 and I’m not 16 anymore! Coming back into education was quite a challenge, I didn’t think I could do it, so I had that self-doubt. But being welcomed in and being able to show what I can do has been something that I wasn’t expecting – it brought me out of my shell I suppose. 

How did you find the social life and study environment at the College? 

It’s a really nice environment to study in. The facilities there are great – whether we are in the classroom or library, it’s brilliant. 

In terms of the social side of things, being an Access student, a lot of the other colleagues on the course are a little bit older, so we do other jobs or working and so on. Social-wise, we try to stay in contact and organise events when we can. 

What achievement are you most proud of during your time at the College? 

The achievement that I’m most proud of is that to date, all my assignments I’ve achieved were distinction, which I wasn’t expecting at all. One would’ve been great but to achieve all of them to date is fantastic and I couldn’t have asked for any more. 

What are your future career aspirations? What are your plans for achieving them? 

I’m going to university in September to study mental health nursing, which was my main driver for going into an Access course. I’ve been accepted at my preferred university already, so I’m all ready to go in September and in three years’ time I should be out there working within the NHS. 

What advice would you give to someone applying for your course at Milton Keynes College today? 

Put aside any apprehension and self-doubt that you might have. I thought I was going to be the oldest person on my course and I’m not. Don’t put barriers in your way; don’t think that you can’t do it because you haven’t been in education for a long time. Just give it a go, really!

If you’re interested in studying Access to Higher Education courses at Milton Keynes College, you can learn more here.

Sometimes, the path back to learning begins with the basics – English, maths and a fresh perspective. We spoke to Stella, a Level 2 Adult English & maths student navigating the challenges and triumphs of re-engaging with education later in life. From overcoming self-doubt to celebrating the wins, Stella offers and perspective to those considering a return to education.

Read on to find out more.

Hello. Who are you and what are you studying?

Hi, I’m Stella and I’m currently studying Level 2 Maths. I did my Level 1 English and maths last year, and I just finished my Level 2 English.

What made you choose your course?

I opted for English and maths because I have a degree in Health and Social Care but I didn’t want to do nursing. I have children and I wanted to do something that can help me with the kids. I looked for a job but I didn’t know what to do, so I decided to top up on my English and maths skills because I hadn’t studied them in about 20 years.

Within me, I didn’t have the confidence because I’d been living in Italy for about 13 years and struggled with English. In Italy, I was doing translation and sort of lost my English because it was all in Italian. When I got back here, doing my degree at university was challenging for me. I thought it would be good for me to come back to refresh my memory with English and maths.

How are you finding your studies?

It’s been amazing. First, I couldn’t even join people in conversations despite having English background, but then I realised that the more you speak it, the more it comes to you naturally. In Italy, you didn’t get a lot of people to speak in English with, so I lost my skills. I had an A Level certificate, but I couldn’t express myself very well and I found that difficult in university.

I’m finding the courses very helpful to me. I’ve seen massive improvement especially at work in my role as a Support Worker. You have incident reports, you need to write reports about what the day activities have been, and at a point you get stuck when you can’t make the writing flow. Recently, I’ve seen a change. I’m writing more, sometimes they ask me, “Why are you writing an essay?” It’s coming naturally now; the course has helped me a lot. I’m enjoying it.

Did you encounter any challenges during your studies? How did you overcome them?

Initially I found some things difficult to understand, especially the assessments. I think sometimes assessments are not the best way to assess people. I knew I could do better, but you know when you’re sat in front of a computer – sometimes things can happen and maybe you skipped something.

I also experienced some challenges initially with PowerPoint presentations. I hadn’t done these types of presentations before university. If I knew I would be well-supported with them here, I would’ve come here first, and this would’ve helped me at university. I’ve gained a lot of new skills here.

What are some highlights from your time at the College?

It’s the communication skills I’ve gained because you get to meet people: you get to talk to people and people come to you sometimes, maybe because of the way you contribute in class. You get to make new friends and people are encouraging.

Sometimes people say, “You come from the university, why are you here then?” Having a degree doesn’t mean you can’t come back and do some refreshment courses. You need your English and maths to open job opportunities for you.

My English teacher has been very helpful. The way she teaches, she adapts to people’s unique ways of learning. She takes the fear off you – she helps and guides you, it’s very encouraging.

What are your future career aspirations? What are your plans for achieving them?

I intend to go into teaching, and I feel like I’m getting ready for it. From here I’ll start applying for teaching assistant roles.

What advice would you give to someone applying for your course at MK College today?

I would encourage them to. Especially if you want to progress in life, you need English and maths – it’s very vital, very important, whichever path you take. When you come here, it opens doors for new opportunities.

If you have children, it can be helpful to do it for them. I can help my children with homework, and I know how to use dictionaries to find things for them. They look up to you when you’re able to express yourself; they have this respect for you, and it motivates them as well. When I was in university, I used to go to the library to learn. Once my child’s class came to the library and she saw me – the teacher said, “Look at your mum.” I could see the brightness in her eyes; she was happy to see me in such a place and see me learning.

I think the best way the get most of the College experience is to come on campus and work with people face-to-face. It’s not just about getting the grades; you get the communication and social aspect. In the maths class, I share a table with my friend, and it is quicker for us to do our work together than me sitting alone and racking my brain for answers.

To learn more about Adult English & maths at Milton Keynes College, read more at English for Adults – MK College and Maths for Adults – MK College.

More than 60 students from Milton Keynes College and the South Central Institute of Technology have received certificates for their qualifications at MK College Group’s 2023 Graduation ceremony. 

The event was held on Wednesday 29^th November at the Stables Theatre in Milton Keynes. The graduates received their certificates for achieving their HNCs, HNDs and professional qualifications, which were presented to them by Milton Keynes College Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Jason Mansell and Principal of Curriculum Innovation and Pedagogy, Alex Warner. Joining in the celebrations were the graduates’ families and tutors, as well as the Milton Keynes Mayoress and the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. The celebration included an afternoon tea prepared by the College’s Catering and Hospitality students, and musical performances from Performing Arts learners. 

During the ceremony, the College Group also appointed its newest Fellow, in recognition of his contribution to the local community. Jon Manning, Founder and CEO of Arthur Ellis: Mental Health Support, was recognised for his commitment to making a difference to the mental health of children and young people, including the College Group’s own learners. 

Sally Alexander, Group Principal and CEO of Milton Keynes College Group, said: “Our Graduation ceremonies are always special events, and this year was no exception. Our Graduates have shown that they can choose to do something they’ve committed to; they can overcome obstacles and they can succeed. They will carry this achievement with them into whatever they do next, and along with all of my colleagues at MK College Group, I wish them every success for the future.  

“We were also delighted to appoint our latest Fellow, Jon Manning from Arthur Ellis: Mental Health Support. Jon has been working closely with the College Group since 2020 and in collaboration with our colleagues, Arthur Ellis provides support to our most vulnerable students, enabling them to develop their resilience and to succeed within the College. Jon’s commitment and dedication to improving access to high quality mental health support is evident in everything he does, and the impact of his service is tangible. We are proud to be working with Arthur Ellis and to welcome Jon as a Fellow of Milton Keynes College Group.” 

For more information about the undergraduate courses we offer at MK College, visit https://mkcollege.ac.uk/undergraduate/. Or to find out more about courses available at the South Central Institute of Technology, visit https://southcentraliot.ac.uk/  

What to expect on an Adult course at Milton Keynes College

If you’re considering taking an adult learning course at Milton Keynes College, you may have questions about what to expect from your time with us. We understand that as an adult learner, your needs and expectations are different to school leavers, and we have tailored our adult education courses and study options to cater to you.

So don’t let anything hold you back from pursuing your goals. MK College is here to unlock your full potential with its supportive social environment, expert careers advice, and flexible study options. You can expect to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who understand the challenges of returning to education and are there to support and encourage you.

Embrace the opportunities that await you and take your education beyond the classroom.