Alex Lewis joined the Access to FE course at Strode in 2015 with aspirations to join the police or to have a role in sport. Alex started at Level 1 for English and found the writing element was the biggest challenge for him. He worked with staff to find solutions and methods to help him pass, coming to every lesson with a great attitude and always giving 100 percent effort. Alex achieved his full Level 1 in 2019.

Alex returned to college and studied Level 2 IT and then onto a Level 2 Diploma in Public Services and Sport. Although now over 19 and not required to complete English and Maths, Alex made the decision to continue his studies and enrolled in Level 2 English.

The Functional Skills team is immensely proud of the determination and dedication Alex shows. After sitting 8 exams and 3 speaking and listening assessments, he has now passed his Level 2 English qualification giving him a GCSE grade 4 equivalent.

"It is not just us that thinks he is great, our external verifier from Pearson was also impressed with this candidate saying 'it is fantastic to see a student progressing as he has," said Lucy Stuckey - Functional Skills English Course Manager.

Alex has used his reading and writing skills to complete his course assignments with support and to pass his theory and driving test. This qualification has meant that Alex has now secured a traineeship starting in September with the Avon & Somerset Police in Bridgwater, which will give Alex great employability skills for the future.

Alex is also an accomplished sportsman. He competed in athletics, badminton, basketball, and football at Strode College through the sports enrichment programme. He also represented Strode College at the AoC Sport National Championships in Nottingham 5K Cross Country Race gaining valuable points for the southwest region team and was awarded 'Sportsman of the Year' for this effort.

For an overview of Strode College functional skills, here is the link: https://www.strode-college.ac.uk/courses/our-courses/adult-english-functional-skills/