Cwmbran man passes GCSE maths 70 years after failing

An 86-year-old man dedicated to keeping his “mind active” has passed his GCSE in mathematics, 70 years after first failing it in school.

Brian Jones, who lives in Fairwater in Cwmbran, achieved a grade C after studying through Torfaen Adult Community Learning – and now plans to take his English GCSE.

He had initially failed the subject in 1956 and always planned to retake it but “life took over”.

But once he stepped back from some of his commitments aged 80, he decided he wasn’t ready to “slow down”.

The grandfather of three, who is a former board member at Bron Afon Housing Association, said he wanted to keep his “mind active”.

“I have friends and cousins of a similar age living in care homes and I wanted to keep my brain busy. Age is not a factor,” he said.

He joined a weekly class which had about six students who were all “youngsters”, he said.

Jones said they were shocked to find out that it had been over seven decades since he took his GCSEs in school, which he said was a “funny experience”.

“I could not believe how much I enjoyed going to the classes,” he added.

“A lot of things had changed in 70 years since I’d taken it last, but it shows me a confidence and I enjoyed the experience as well, that’s the main thing.”

Jones opened his results on 20 August and was “incredibly pleased” with his C grade.

“All my family were very confident, plus my tutor, who was excellent, but I thought I failed,” he said.

“It was a marvellous feeling, but I did try not to be too smug, but my great nephew said to me, ‘why not be smug? Go for it’.”

Jones’ grandson was also studying for his GCSEs during the same time, but the 15-year-old will be sitting them next year.

He said: “Having that in common helped me connect with my grandchildren.

“We could share ideas, talk about coursework and support each other. Wanting to help them was a big encouragement for me.”

Jones has now signed up to study his next subject, GCSE English, which will also take 32 weeks to complete.

He previously passed his English Literature GCSE while at school in the 50s, so wanted to give English Language “a go”.

Jones said his niece, who is a tutor in England, told him that he could “get into sixth form now”, but he laughed while saying: “I do think I’m a little old for sixth form”.

He is also trying to encourage his friends, who are all “very pleased” that he passed, to “have a go” studying a GCSE.