"I always thought I was rubbish at maths. The study assistant helped me realise I just needed it explained differently."
The Challenge
I left school at 16 without passing maths or English. It wasn't because I didn't try — I tried really hard, actually. But school never worked for me. The classes were big, the pace was fast, and when I fell behind in Year 9, I never caught up. By Year 11, I'd convinced myself I was just thick. That's what it felt like, anyway.
For a couple of years, it didn't matter much. I did casual work — a bit of retail, some warehouse shifts, a few months at a call centre. But then I decided I wanted to do a healthcare apprenticeship. I'd been volunteering at a care home on weekends and absolutely loved it. The problem? Every apprenticeship required Functional Skills Level 2 in English and maths, or equivalent GCSEs. I had neither.
I looked at going back to college, but honestly, the thought made me feel sick. College felt like school version 2.0 — big classrooms, set timetables, people who'd judge me for being 19 and still not having basic qualifications. I know that's probably not fair to college, but the anxiety was real. I needed a different way.
The Solution
I found Qualvera on Instagram, of all places. Someone had posted about passing their Functional Skills online and I thought it looked doable. The price was right — £49 a month — and I could study from my sofa in my pyjamas. No classroom, no commute, no panic.
I started with English because it felt less scary. The modules were clear and well-structured, broken down into manageable chunks. Reading comprehension, writing skills, spelling and grammar — each topic had practice exercises and the study assistant was there to explain anything I didn't understand. I could go at my own pace, which meant I could spend extra time on the bits I found difficult without holding anyone else up.
Then came maths. I was dreading it. I genuinely believed I couldn't do maths — years of failing had convinced me. But the study assistant changed everything. When I couldn't understand percentages from the standard explanation, I asked it to explain differently. It tried using shopping discounts as examples. When fractions confused me, it used pizza slices. It adapted to how my brain works instead of making me adapt to the textbook.
There was a moment — I remember it clearly — when I solved a ratio problem on my first attempt. I literally said "oh my God" out loud in my living room. My flatmate thought something was wrong. But it was the opposite. It was the first time in my entire life I'd felt like maths was something I could actually do. I wasn't thick. I just needed it explained differently. That realisation changed everything.
My assessor was great too. She checked in every couple of weeks, gave me practice exam papers, and talked me through exam technique. She was encouraging without being patronising, which I really appreciated. She treated me like an adult learner, not a school failure.
The Result
I passed English Level 2 in six weeks. Maths took longer — about three months — but I passed that too. Both exams, done and dusted in under four months. Total cost: less than £200. I cried when I got the results. Happy tears, obviously.
With both qualifications in hand, I applied for healthcare apprenticeships immediately. I got an offer within three weeks from a local NHS trust. I start next month. I'll be earning while I learn, getting proper qualifications, and building a career in something I genuinely care about.
The best part? I'm not scared of learning anymore. For years, education was something that happened to me — something I failed at. Qualvera made it something I chose, something I succeeded at, on my own terms. I'm already thinking about what I might study next. A year ago, I'd never have said that.
If you left school without your English and maths and you think it's too late or too hard — it's not. You're not thick. You just haven't found the right way to learn yet. Trust me, it's out there.