A north London grandmother who left school without a single GCSE has graduated with a degree in sports therapy at the age of 55.
Angella Callam, from Edmonton in Enfield, collected her BSc from London Metropolitan University at a ceremony at the Barbican Centre on Monday 20 July.
The mother of four enrolled on a foundation course four years ago and says she is the first of her family’s generation to go to university.
“I didn’t even have a GCSE. There’s been lots of hurdles since I first started on that course,” she said.
“We had a death in the family. During my exam period, we lost my son-in-law. I’ve been supporting my daughter and my grandchildren.
“There were lots of times when I felt like giving up. My partner helped me to persevere and keep going.”
Callam, who was born in Jamaica, said she had sometimes compared herself with younger classmates.
“Sometimes I’d get the usual anxieties and compare myself to other students because they were younger and my grades weren’t always where I wanted them to be,” she said.
She has worked as a fitness instructor for more than 20 years but had put off returning to education.
“I wanted to know more about the science behind sports,” she said.
“Graduating is something I’ve dreamt about for a long time. And now here I am.
“It was such an incredible feeling stepping on to that stage and accepting my degree. It was thrilling, I was like yes, it’s finally happening.”
She hopes to work in rehabilitation and is applying for jobs in the NHS.
Two of her daughters, a grandson and her partner Leon Walker, 64, watched her collect the award.
“I’ve been supporting her from the very beginning and there’s been lots of ups and downs. I’m proud of her for everything she has achieved,” Walker said.
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