Care Leavers' Association

I was about 26 when I went back to do a GCSE. I needed a focus when coming off my addiction and the teacher was fantastic.

I was so nervous and lacking confidence but in fact I got the highest mark in the class - which included some very educated people who I felt intimidated by. I have studied on and off since then but I always feel inferior at some level. Again, I have just finished a course and got a distinction but at the start I thought I was rubbish and would automatically fail.

I never stayed on at school and truanted most of the time beforehand. I was always bought up to believe I was thick and it still amazes me that I'm not.

There's an opportunity for some self development - probably another bleedin' course!