June Riding, 59, did a free OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) course in English and IT over two years, even bagging the most determined learner award in Kirklees Council's Adult Learner Week.

Mrs Riding, a senior lunchtime supervisor at Boothroyd School, said the course gave her the confidence to also apply for a support assistant job at the school using different technology – which she would never otherwise have gone for.

She said: "The course came up at Boothroyd School, and at first I thought it was a computer course. I wanted to learn how to use them so I wasn't behind in technology. I got through level one and two and then the job came up and I started that.

"It's opened up a lot of things for me. I left school at 15 and never achieved anything there so to me this is a big thing. The course opens your eyes to how much you have forgotten."

Mrs Riding, of Church Lane, Dewsbury Moor, said the course had even helped her when she went to accept her adult learner award.

She said: "It's made me think differently. It's given me more confidence with walking into a room.

"I had to go to Huddersfield Town Hall and go up on stage to accept the award, and at one time I would never have done that."

The class was run at Boothroyd School, which Mrs Riding said was beneficial to older learners who might be put off going to a college with teenagers.

Lynne Carmichael, neighbourhood learning network co-ordinator for Dewsbury, said: "June didn't think getting back into education was for her but after hesitantly signing up for a course she's reaped the rewards. She's gained a qualification, new skills and a new job.

"It might seem a little daunting but it's always great to see people returning to education. June is a great example of how learning can really benefit your life."