Lynn encourages parents of school leavers to consider SERC

Parents of students who have completed a course at SERC have spoken of how they were better off having realised the benefits of Further Education.

Lisburn parent Lynn Brown, mother of level 3 health and social care student Dynika Lowry, who achieved two distinction stars and a distinction in the course, explains how SERC helped her daughter realise her ambitions of attending university, when, after deciding not to go back to school to complete her A Levels, they thought it was the end of the road.

However, having achieved the required grades from her Level 3 Extended Diploma at SERC, which is the equivalent to three A Levels, Dynika is now preparing to study Primary education at Liverpool Hope University.

Lynn explains: “When Dynika said she wasn’t going back to school to do her A Levels I thought it was the end of the world. However, after reading about SERC in the local newspaper we decided to attend an open day to see what courses were on offer. The lecturers were helpful and friendly, so I encouraged Dynika to enrol. Immediately I saw a vast improvement, she was much happier with the teaching and learning methods and was excelling in the course.

“For many years, I believed traditional education was the correct way to go for a higher standard education. It was a belief that was in my family for generations. Now, having gained first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of what Further Education offers I would encourage other parents to consider it as an option for their children. It was the best decision we ever made.

“I had heard really good things about the staff at SERC, and when Dynika started studying I could see why. It was an extremely helpful and friendly environment to study in and Dynika has got what she needed to get into university. I can’t thank the SERC tutors enough. Dynika enjoyed being challenged and having tutors that genuinely cared.

“As a parent I wanted the assurance that the education Dynika received would prepare her to survive in the ‘real world’ and give her an opportunity to improve her employability skills in an increasingly competitive job market.

"I truly attribute my daughter’s success to the hard work of SERC. She has excelled beyond what I would have ever imagined. I am deeply appreciative and grateful to SERC for all their hard work and support. As a result, Dynika is happy, and well on her way to her ‘dream job’.

Dynika, a former Hunterhouse College pupil said that she wanted to come to SERC after her GCSE’s rather than stay on at school. She said it was ‘the best decision I ever made as A Levels are not the only option for young people’. She said “I am over the moon with my results. If I had have stayed on at school I don’t think I would have got such good grades. I am now starting university and its thanks to the staff at SERC. I didn’t know a lot of people when I started but I made friends quickly as everyone is so friendly. The tutors also treat you like an adult and you become so much more independent as a person thanks to the method of teaching. I would strongly urge others to consider SERC as a first option. Many of the students in my class got top grades, achieving the equivalent to three A grades or higher at A Level.”

SERC sets high standards of achievement for all their students, and Dynika is only one example of how SERC has instilled the self-confidence needed to get the grades for university and fulfill and enrich their life.