North London Grandmother Graduates at 55, Aiming to Inspire Others After Leaving School Without GCSEs

A grandmother from North London is determined to motivate her daughters and grandchildren with the message that ‘if you fall, you can get back up and try again’. Angella Callam, 55, from Edmonton, achieved her long-held dream of earning a degree, despite having left school as a teenager without any qualifications. Originally from Jamaica, Angella moved to London with limited family support and faced significant challenges after she dropped out of education upon becoming pregnant with her first daughter, leaving school without any GCSEs.

Now a proud mother of four and grandmother to several grandchildren, Angella’s graduation marked a significant milestone in her life. “I came from humble beginnings in Jamaica,” she reflected. “My father always envisioned me as a nurse, but sadly, he passed away a couple of years ago and never got to see me graduate.”

Overcoming Obstacles on the Educational Journey

Throughout her life, Angella faced the challenge of raising her four daughters while attempting to pursue further education. She often found herself starting courses but struggled to complete them. In 2005, she successfully completed a fitness instructor course, which launched her career in the fitness industry, where she has worked for over two decades. Nonetheless, the aspiration of obtaining a degree persisted in her heart.

In 2020, during the lockdowns imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, Angella decided to take the plunge into higher education. This led her to enrol in a Sports Therapy course at London Metropolitan University. “I wanted to deepen my understanding of the science behind sports,” she explained. “But I had always put off returning to education. The beginning of the course was particularly challenging.” She emphasised the importance of taking small, manageable steps: “I had to remind myself to take it one step at a time.”

Resilience Amidst Personal Challenges

Angella encountered numerous hurdles as she progressed through her studies, including the heartbreaking loss of her son-in-law during her exam period. “I’ve been supporting my daughter and my grandchildren through difficult times,” she shared. “There were many moments when I felt like giving up. My partner encouraged me to persevere, and that support was invaluable.”

Finally, Angella’s graduation became a reality, fulfilling a dream she had cherished for many years. “My daughters are so proud of me,” she said. Notably, one of her daughters, who chose not to attend university, expressed that Angella’s achievement has inspired her. “My grandchildren are also thrilled; I can see their excitement as they realise they could follow in my footsteps one day.” Angella’s message is clear: resilience is vital, and failure is not the end. “It doesn’t matter if you stumble; you can always rise again, and that attitude is what enabled me to graduate and walk across that stage.”

A Celebratory Graduation Day

Angella graduated alongside thousands of her peers from London Metropolitan University during a ceremony held at the Barbican on Monday, July 20. This proud moment was particularly poignant given the struggles she faced at the course’s outset, where she often compared herself to younger students and battled feelings of anxiety regarding her academic performance. “I would feel nervous and compare my grades unfavourably to theirs, but stepping onto that stage to accept my degree was indescribable. It was a thrilling moment—like a dream finally coming true!”

Angella celebrated her graduation with her two daughters present, relishing the joy of crossing the stage to collect her degree. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of determination and the ability to rise above adversity.