A Major Letdown

My departure from school was a significant disappointment to both my parents and teachers. On the days I did attend, I had exhibited potential, especially in English. I recall one particular lesson where we were asked to compose an essay on what we would do with unlimited financial resources. I decided to write about purchasing a desert island, inspired by the most extravagant item in my brother's "Go for Broke" board game.

The following week, our teacher, while returning our essays, paused to read aloud a striking line from my work about the desert island:

“…where everything is so refined, even the monkeys lift their little fingers while sipping coconuts from palm trees.”

I felt a wave of embarrassment as my classmates turned to look at me, likely wondering how this oddball who seldom attended school could produce such vivid imagery. When I received my book back, I noticed I had earned a perfect score of 10/10, with that particular line highlighted in red. Unfortunately, the literary promise I had shown faded away as I took a job with a roofing company.

The Temptation to Fabricate

Initially, my lack of qualifications didn't seem to matter. After all, you don't need a GCSE to carry roof tiles up a ladder. However, as I grew older and sought to leave the roofing industry, I realized this had become a significant barrier. I began applying for jobs where educational qualifications were either essential or strongly preferred, and there was ample space on application forms to list them.

Naturally, the idea of fabricating qualifications crossed my mind. Just a few core subjects and perhaps a geography grade would suffice. After all, who would remember after all these years that I hadn't actually achieved those grades?

But deep down, I knew I would. That awareness kept me from taking that path. If I were to claim educational qualifications, I wanted to earn the right to do so.

Evening Classes

One autumn, I decided to enroll in a GCSE English class at a local school alongside my partner. Though it felt unusual to return to school in my middle age, we both found the experience enjoyable and enriching.

There was homework to complete, essays to write, and we studied Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four" alongside poetry analysis, which I chose to focus on "Not Waving, but Drowning" by Stevie Smith. We engaged in writing complaint letters and were tested on grammar, making the entire experience incredibly rewarding. By the end, I walked away with a GCSE, grade A.

A couple of years later, while managing a VHS rental store, I decided to strengthen my qualifications by enrolling in an A Level English class at the same school, this time on my own. Classes took place every Thursday evening from seven to nine, and I found the lessons to be just as enjoyable.

With enthusiasm, I dove into the coursework, and my teacher once asked me, while returning a marked short story, if I had ever thought about pursuing writing professionally. I felt it was a bit too late for that.

My routine involved working at the video store from ten to six, grabbing a quick meal, and then walking about half an hour to school.

Eye on the Prize

One chilly winter evening, I trudged through the streets of the housing estate, where the school stood. Drizzle swirled around the glowing street lamps, and the pebble-dashed houses seemed to watch silently as I passed.

Feeling cold, exhausted, and hungry, I questioned why I was putting myself through such discomfort for an hour discussing "Northanger Abbey," a book I wasn't particularly fond of.

Yet, an answer surfaced from a more optimistic part of my mind: "Because you truly desire that exam grade, and this is the only way to attain it."

With renewed determination, I continued on, and not long after, I earned an A Level to accompany my GCSE.

This video features Tasha Cobbs Leonard performing "Never Gave Up," showcasing the power of perseverance through life's challenges.

In this live performance at the Ryman in Nashville, Tasha Cobbs Leonard inspires viewers with her song "Never Gave Up," a testament to resilience and determination.