ADULT learners across North Yorkshire are celebrating after securing GCSE results.

More than 600 adult learners signed up for classes with North Yorkshire County Council’s Adult Learning and Skills Service which includes free maths and English courses.

In it's seventh year, the service yesterday saw hundreds of adults overjoyed as they picked up their results.

In GCSE maths, 56 per cent of learners achieved a grade 9 to 4 while results for GCSE English were a positive 74 per cent achieving a grade 9 to 4.

The academic year saw an 83 per cent achievement overall.

As well as GCSEs, the service offers other courses such as employment courses, health, leisure and community activities.

It also offers foundation courses in accounts and finance, business administration, early years and childcare, health and social care, hospitality and catering and working in schools, as well as supportive learning courses for adults with learning difficulties or disabilities.

County Councillor Patrick Mulligan, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Education and Skills, said the services aims to help adults gain the skills and qualifications needed for employment and to help people who are disadvantaged by social, economic and health barriers.

He sad: “Congratulations to all of our adult learners who achieved their goals, it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and students.

“Recently the service was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted just two years after it was rated as ‘requires improvement’ and this was driven by an increase in the proportion of adult learners who complete their qualifications.

“Our aim is to help adults gain the skills and qualifications they need to be successful in employment.

"These recent results show it’s never too late to learn and improve your skills to get to where you want to be.”

To view the full list of courses, free taster classes and eligibility criteria visit

www.northyorks.gov.uk/adultlearning

.