Blessing Ogechukwu Patrick

I chose Edge Hill University because of its strong reputation in education and teacher training and its commitment to inclusive practice. The MA Education (Special Educational Needs) course stood out to me due to the research-led approach and the opportunity to engage with experts in the field. I wanted to deepen my understanding of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and make a meaningful impact in the classroom and beyond.

My course explores the complexities of special educational needs and disabilities, focusing on policy, pedagogy, and inclusive practice. It covers topics such as theorising education, researching education and inclusive practice for learners with special educational needs.

I love how the course directly links theory to practice. Learning about different cognitive and behavioural theories and then applying them to real-life classroom situations has been invaluable in improving my teaching practice.

The top three skills I have developed during my degree are:

• critical analysis – evaluating research and policies to understand their real-world impact on SEND provision.
• inclusive teaching strategies – analysing and developing approaches to support children with diverse needs effectively.
• Research skills – conducting independent research on SEND-related topics, particularly my work on asylum-seeking and refugee families of children with SEND.

One of the most memorable moments of my degree so far was conducting research on asylum-seeking and refugee families of children with SEND. Engaging with this topic was both eye-opening and deeply rewarding. It has given me a greater appreciation of the challenges these families face, the support systems they need and legislation on SEND in the UK.

The sense of community at Edge Hill is one of its greatest strengths. As an international student, I have been really well supported. The campus fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment where students can thrive academically and personally.

 I really enjoy the Catalyst building—it’s a great space for studying, researching and collaborating with peers. The staff support is incredible and access to a warm cup of coffee makes the Catalyst my favourite place to go to. The views from the top floor also make it a peaceful place to work.

I hope to continue working in education when I graduate, using my expertise to advocate for and implement inclusive practices in educational and social settings. Long-term, I’m interested in contributing to policy development and research in SEND.

My advice for anyone considering joining this course would be to engage with as many research opportunities as possible and connect with your lecturers. Staff have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. Be open to challenging your perspectives, constructive criticism, and always think about how what you learn can be applied in practice.