Adults who believe that they leave their days of studying books and writing essays behind the moment they step into the workplace can think again.

Abingdon and Witney College is partnering Oxford Brookes Univer-sity to reach out to those who, years down the line, regret not having achieved certain qualifications or followed other career paths, to tell them it is never too late to return to the classroom.

A foundation degrees scheme promoted by the college and university offers a host of different degrees, from animal care to public sector management, either part- time or full-time.

Foundation degrees are degree- level qualifications worked out with employers and combine academic study with workplace learning.

Lorna Haywood, of Pease Place, Didcot, hopes a foundation degree in communications in organisations will help her get her feet back on the career ladder.

The single mother previously trained as a policewoman, but gave that up when her three-year-old son William was born.

She works part-time as an administrator and goes to college one day a week.

Mrs Haywood, 26, who is separated from her husband, said: “I was looking for something to do, some training or educational course.

“I recently moved back to the area and found the evenings quite empty and I just looked at the prospectus and really liked the sound of this course.

“I needed something to get myself back on to the work ladder basically.”

She added: “It’s already really difficult coping with all of the reading, but it’s not too bad once you set your mind to it.

“It really develops your confidence and it’s a good thing to do. I am doing it to progress.”

Serinne Curtis, of Ambrosden, near Bicester, is in the second year of an early years foundation course. She attends the college once a week and works the rest of the time as manager at Tiddlywinks Nursery in the village.

Ms Curtis, 41, said: “It is hard going, but I am very lucky in that I have a really good group of girls on my course and we all support each other.

“I didn’t think I could do this course at all, but it makes me realise I should have done better at school.”

Ms Curtis left school at 16 and worked in telecommunications in the RAF for 13 years.

When her two children were born, Ms Curtis, who is now divorced, began working at the nursery.

She said: “It has opened my eyes to a lot of different ways we can do things, through what I have found out on the course.

“It has got me back into learning and now I want to go into year three.”

More details are available on the website abingdon-witney.ac.uk