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DCG Success Stories

Maya Hussain

Smiling young lady

Study Type: School Leaver Academic
Study Location: Joseph Wright Centre
Subject Studied: GCSE Plus

GCSE Plus gives Maya second chance to pursue family law career  

Former Derby College Group GCSE Plus student Maya Hussain is staying on at the Joseph Wright Centre to do a BTEC in Law.  

Maya, aged 17, has her heart set on becoming a family lawyer after experiencing firsthand the impact of divorce on families.  

She said: “I know myself how parents splitting up can affect the children of a marriage and I’d like to be able to help other children who are in this situation. 

I’m so pleased I passed English with grade 5 as I needed that to do my BTEC at JWC.” 

Maya grew up in Leeds and missed a whole year of her GCSEs when she moved to Derby and switched secondary schools.  

She said: “It was hard having my education interrupted. I didn’t do well in my GCSEs at school the first time round but coming to Derby College has given me a second chance.  

“The staff at JWC have been lovely, especially my English teacher. She told me how proud she was of me when I got my exam results.”  

Maya made the transition from school to JWC fairly easily, partly because her best friend and her sister Amina were also studying with Derby College at the time. 

Amina wants to be a dental hygienist and is now considering doing health and social care at DCG’s Roundhouse.  

Maya added: “It helped that they were both there at college too. I tend to be an anxious person but because I’m also bubbly I can mask my anxiety quite well. 

“I’m looking forward to starting the BTEC although I am apprehensive about all the hard work it will involve.  

“I can be too easily distracted. This time though I really know what I want to do with my life so that should help me to stay motivated.” 

The staff at JWC have been lovely, especially my English teacher. She told me how proud she was of me.