LEARNER COMMENTS

   

Gareth Reid is an aircraft engineer with the Royal Navy aboard HMS Ocean. He studied for a GCSE to enhance his promotion prospects.


“As a serving member of the Royal Navy it's hard to find a course provider who can deliver a service which takes into account your deployment. When a friend directed me to the the Marine Society I had reservations as I was due to set sail for the Caribbean for a year.
 

"These were crushed after I  enrolled and my studying went smoothly up to the time for examinations. As the ship entered Trinidad all I could think about was my upcoming exam and that the papers would be in the mail.
 

"My Education Officer then informed me that the papers were not in the mail drop as expected. I immediately emailed the Marine Society, concerned that I wouldn't be able to sit the exam. I had no need to be concerned they told me that an electronic copy of the papers would be sent to the Education Officer onboard HMS Ocean on the morning of the exam and I would be able to sit the exam as planned. This was a massive relief as this exam would shape my future career!"

 

All learners with the Marine Society are extraordinary on account of the challenges to self-study posed by their lifestyle as a seafarer, but it’s true to say some are more unusual than others.


Tim Clifton's work place is in the driving seat of one of Britain’s four strategic missile submarines. As Chief Petty Officer (Coxswain) in the 15,980 tonne HMS Vigilant.


Enrolled for GCSEs in English and Business Studies, the pattern of Tim’s deployments means he is not in touch with the world outside his submarine for up to 14 weeks at a time. So special arrangements have been put in place to accommodate his circumstances, including making sure he has sufficient work to keep him going for his long underwater voyages.
 

Tim sat GCSE English and, after Business Studies, hopes to move on to a study of law.

 

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