Mandy is currently enrolled on our Tuesday evening Upholstery course.

Tuesday nights are now my favourite evening of the week.  Upholstery is something I have been interested in for many years, but I didn’t think I would be good enough to join a class.  Little did I know that I wouldn’t be the only one trying it out for the first time.  The class is a mixture of all different abilities and is a lovely group of people who are very encouraging and supportive.  Our teacher, Sarah, is brilliant at explaining what to do and the importance of taking our time to do things properly to get the best final product possible rather than cutting corners.  I was looking for a hobby and interest that was just for me and I have found it with this course. 

“I chose ICT because I believe the subject is not only lucrative but allows the entire world to become connected and ‘digitally enhanced’. The structure of the course suited me as it has four exam units with the rest being coursework. College is not just about learning, there is support across all departments and the environment is extremely friendly and safe. I have learnt skills individually and, regarding teamwork, knowledge that will help me go on to continue my studies at university.”

Lara achieved D*D*D in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in ICT at Merton and accepted a place at Falmouth University to study Robotics. She has ambitions to work in artificial intelligence or automation that could help aid and preserve human life.

Merton Adult Learning - Floristry

Olga Paprotska is from Ukraine and, after the war started, moved to the UK in 2023. She is taking a Floristry Course with Merton Adult Learning to retrain in a new career path. 

Olga says: "I was a power weight lifting referee in Ukraine and I'm now looking for a change of career. I began doing an online Interior Design course and then started attending the Floristry Course at Merton College. This is the first step in Interior design as they both have the same principles and composition rules. I found it more effective to learn a new skill by being hands on, using all of the senses. On a computer you can choose lots of different colours but flowers and foliage have their own colours and shades that you cannot change. 

The terminology used within the course has improved my English and has been beneficial for my Mental Health, When I'm taking the class, I focus on the flowers and designs and it takes away the stresses of everyday life. I keep my creations in my home and it reminds me of what I have achieved. Once I've gained more skills, I'm confident this course will help me to gain employment and offer more opportunities."

Maths & English Adult Learner

Rhianne started at Merton College in September 2021 after being out of education for six years. 

"I was really worried to start learning Maths again but my teacher, Hang, made everyone feel so welcome. She made sure that anyone with additional needs was seen by Student Support immediately so we got the right support for the whole year.  I thoroughly enjoyed my lessons and the way Hang taught us. She told me she believed I would pass my exam and had faith in me when I doubted myself. That boosted my confidence and I passed my Level 2 exam first time! 

I had always struggled with English in school because of ADHD but when I started English at Merton, I really improved on my reading strategies thanks to advice and encouragement from my tutor Hefin. As a result, I also passed Functional Skills English Level 2 first time!

I had a really good experience and I'm glad I chose to do my Maths and English at Merton College. It has given me the confidence to continue my education further. My next step is to study GCSE Science and then do an Access course so that I can go to university and become a forensic toxicologist."

Childcare & Early Years student

Karima said: "I started at Merton College in 2019, taking the Award in Preparing to Work in Schools Level 1.  My tutor Debra was very supportive and also encouraged me to study the Caring for Children Award Level 1, so I could learn more about what type of career I wanted to work in.

These courses gave me the confidence and social skills to progress ,so after completing them both, I started the Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (NCFE).  I loved my placement and planning activities with the children. I gained lots of new friends from my placement and from being at the college.

In September 2021, I began studying the Early Years Workforces (EYE) Diploma Level 3. I worked in another Early Years placement, which I really enjoyed. I also had the opportunity to take some distance learning courses which helped me with my childcare course, including Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour That Challenges and Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Common Childhood Illnesses.  I enjoyed the flexibility of these courses and that they can be completed around my college placement and family commitments."

Guitar Making & Repair - Intermediate & Advanced

Paul said: "During the pandemic, I decided I wanted to make stringed instruments full time instead of just as a hobby.

I enrolled on to the Guitar Making & Repair course (Intermediate & Advanced) and started making a steel-string acoustic guitar. The course teaches you to solve problems, to think creatively and to be resilient. When people look at the guitar I've made, they often ask "Did you really make that?" I have the same feeling - I can't quite believe that I've made it! It is amazing what I have achieved on this course and I am grateful to Mike and Merton College for teaching me the skills needed to accomplish my goal."

When Yasir Hussain came to the UK, he hardly spoke any English and struggled to understand the language. Yasir joined Merton to enrol on the full time study programme for ESOL 16-18s at Entry Level 3.  which, alongside ESOL, also includes Functional Skills ICT and Maths. 

Yasir said: "I applied to study ESOL at Merton College to help improve my understanding of English. Throughout my studies, I was lucky that I was able to learn the language quickly and, with the help of our wonderful teachers, easily got to grips with it. I found the classes to be fun and interesting. Within the full time study programme, we also studied FS ICT and Maths."

ESOL

When Gabriela Sandoval Molina arrived in the UK from Venezuela, she found it difficult to adapt as she spoke very little English. 

Gabriela said: “I tried to learn English by watching videos or using apps, but it was not easy and it just made me feel frustrated. One day my wife, who does speak English, suggested that I enrol on to an ESOL course at Merton College. From the day that I started at Merton, I found the staff here to be very friendly and happy to help if I needed something.

I would particularly like to thank my teacher Cheryl Manteaw for her patience, dedication and willingness to help students achieve excellent results. She used different strategies so that we could all reach the same goal, adapting the learning environment to suit the new ‘normal’ that was imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. My English has improved enough to enable me to make my life in this beautiful country so much easier and it's all thanks to this ESOL course, my teacher and fellow students,"

To read more about how our ESOL courses have made such a positive difference to our students' lives, please visit our Spotlight on ESOL page

Hospitality Supervision & Leadership - Level 3 Diploma 

Jerome says: "I chose to study at Merton College because it has excellent facilities for my Hospitality & Catering course. The College is very welcoming and my tutors are very supportive. As part of my course, I deliver a service to customers that visit the Taste Restaurant and I really enjoy interacting with them. We regularly host events and I like working as a team to co-ordinate these events. For example, we are often visited by members of the local community who come to the restaurant for lunch."

Once Jerome has completed his Diploma, he intends to study a Higher Level Apprenticeship in Hospitality and work for a major restaurant chain. His ultimate goal is to own a chain of restaurants one day.

"Merton College has a great selection of STEM specific courses. I chose to study a National Diploma in Engineering because I felt it would equip me with a broad view of the subject, helping me to make a more informed career path, while providing a general understanding of the engineering sector.”

Divine achieved a Triple Distinction*, equivalent to 3 A* at A Level. She has secured a prestigious employment position with National Grid, working on-site at London Power Tunnels as a student engineer for six months. She will then go on to National Grid’s construction development programme (Level 6 qualification) to become a project manager.

"I decided to study Applied Science because it is highly practical and provides students with a good framework,  whether you want to pursue a career in science or not. The course involves plenty of practical activities, all of which have greatly boosted my understanding of scientific techniques, such as looking at a heartbeat under a microscope. The teachers are down to earth and their support has contributed to my grades of D*D*D."

Justina achieved D*D*D and secured offers to study a Bio-medical Science degree at all of the universities she applied to. 

Travel & Tourism - BTEC Extended Diploma

Sonia joined Merton after visitng an Open Event and finding the environment to be warm and friendly.

Sonia said: "Before I started at Merton, I spent the summer researching my options and developed an interest in becoming part of a Cabin Crew. I applied for the Travel & Tourism course at Merton because I felt confident it would open up the career opportunities available to me. I am fluent in Chinese, so I hope to use this skill in the future." 

Sonia graduated this year and is hoping to secure a postion to train with a Cabin Crew.

ESOL Adult - Level 1

Svitlana is originally from Ukraine and had worked for 15 years as an engineer. When her husband accepted a job offer in London, they moved to the UK six years ago. She then enrolled in an ESOL Level 1 course at Merton College. 

Svitlana said: "I found lessons at Merton college to be like a special gift given to me, perhaps for my strong desire to improve my English as a second language for a better life. As a result of my new skills, I was able to look for employment and was offered a good job in London. I am passionate about continuing to develop my English and very grateful to all my teachers for the skills they have helped me to learn."

Svitalna now works as a CAD Technician within a Mechanical and Electrical team where she is in charge of creating AutoCAD drawings and schematics.

Hairdressing - Level 2 

Stefani joined Merton after visitng the college and being welcomed by friendly and helpful staff. 

Stefani said: "I really enjoy Hairdressing because of the practical work, I love trying new things and I learn better with a Kinaesthetic style learning. Merton College really takes the time to provide extra learning for students with learning difficulties and as a result my grades in Maths and English have improved massively and I feel more confident in my lessons. I am now looking ahead to progress to Level 3."

Stefani has now started Hairdressing Level 3 and is also applying to do a course in Barbering to expand her knowledge.

"My ambition has always been to train as a Paramedic and I knew that studying Health & Social Care would help me to gain the knowledge that I needed to be able to pursue my career choice. As part of my course, I undertook two work placements with two age groups, which were both such valuable experiences and helped to develop my people skills. I will be finishing my studies later this year and I hope to secure a place at University to study Paramedic Science, which will lead me into being able to fully qualify as a Paramedic."

Ayesha moved from India as a teenager and enrolled at Merton when she was 16. Despite not knowing English at all, she accomplished good results in her GCSE retakes and achieved D*D*D* in her Business Diploma. 

Ayesha said: "I decided to study Business because it's the only course that provides students with broad knowledge on a wider range of business areas. The course has equipped me with so many transferable skills, which are relevant in all job sectors, as well as those specific to business management careers. Merton College is a great place to study as the teachers are very supportive and always willing to help achieve your desired dreams."