Learning and growing - Sarah Hoyle

“In primary school Mrs Gell wrote: “Sarah always needs to be challenged.” At the time I was six years old. 

“The challenges came in lots of different ways, but as I progressed through the schooling system the biggest challenge was exams. I would always work hard for my exams, but I never seemed to get it quite right. The truth of it was that my exam results were always rubbish. 

"So, after scraping through a bachelors degree, I thought my learning journey was over. 

“I really like learning, I am naturally very curious, it helps me excel in my current job, running a community centre. The trouble I had in my early 20s was that I thought I couldn’t learn, because I was terrible at exams. I’d even go so far as to say I felt stupid. 
  
“Then in 2005, aged 26 I discovered Birkbeck. Birkbeck was founded in Camden, in 1823 to educate the workers of London. George Birkbeck was seen as radical by stating in 1823 that: “Now is the time for the universal benefits of the blessings of knowledge.” Seven years later, in 1830, the Institute took a further radical step by becoming one of the first colleges to admit women as students - nearly 40 years before the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

“At Birkbeck, I began a series of short courses. I began with a course on film and education, then I moved on to child psychology, shortly after arts management. The classes were about discussion and reflection with no exams in sight!  

“As my confidence in learning grew, so did my lust for a challenge. In 2014, I completed a Masters Degree in Film Television and Screen Media awarded by Birkbeck, now part of the University of London. Eight years later, in 2024, I was awarded a Doctorate at the University of York. 
 
“So much of my confidence in learning is down to Birkbeck, one of Camden’s finest jewels. As the leader of Kentish Town Community Centre, I am committed to ensuring that all people in our community have access to learning and widening participation as I did.” 

By Dr Sarah Hoyle