Rise in older people seeking education in Cornwall

Lyn, 68, is learning reflexology at the St Austell campus

An education provider said it was facing a big rise in the number of older people going back into education.

The Cornwall College Group said they were witnessing a 'boom' in the number of adults joining across the county.

Mature student Lyn, 68, from Padstow, said she felt well supported when learning at the college.

"I was very mindful of my age when I came back to education," she said. "It's been a really positive experience and I've been very well supported."

Kurtis Jenkins is participating in a gym instructors course

Kurtis Jenkins, 35, said he found the idea of revisiting education daunting prior to starting his course.

"I was quite surprised how many people of my sort of age have gone back to college," he said.

"I do enjoy it."

David Atkinson-Beaumont, head of campus at Cornwall College in St Austell, said: "We're definitely seeing growth.

"We've put on more courses for our community learning.

"I think people are looking back at the pandemic and thinking 'is this what I wanted my life to be' but now back into the swing of things, feeling more secure, they're looking to change their lives."

The Cornwall College Group received an Ofsted rating of 'good' for its efforts across the county, offering more than 300 different courses.