Claire Leak

I was inspired to study an Edge Hill University programme at Wirral Met College because I live on the Wirral. Having the opportunity to complete my teacher training in my local area has been invaluable to me as a busy mum of 3 young children.

I am the first in my family to enrol on a post graduate course. I completed my undergraduate degree in economics over 18 years ago, so returning to academic study after so long has been both daunting and exciting in equal measure.

I knew of Edge Hill’s strong reputation for teacher training courses through friends and family who had studied here in previous years, and I have a family member who had completed a degree at Wirral Met College. So, when the opportunity came along to study with the support of both institutions, it was too good an opportunity to miss.

My favourite thing about my programme is that Wirral Met College are in the unique position of being able to offer their trainee teachers the opportunity to both study and complete teaching placements in-house. This meant that I was made to feel a part of the college from day one.

The lecturers supported and encouraged me every step of the way during my steep learning curve. I began the course with no experience in teaching or even of working within the educational sector. All of the lecturers have a wealth of experience.

The programme was very well structured. We were provided with the dates for assignment submissions at the beginning of each term. This allowed me to work with my subject mentor to ensure that I was able to meet the demands of both my teaching and assignment commitments.

Over the course of the programme, I have gained first-hand experience of how students learn and progress with their studies at different rates. I have developed skills for breaking down my subject knowledge and providing alternative explanations of topics that students find initially challenging.

My pedagogical knowledge has increased vastly over the course of the programme. Edge Hill provide weekly suggestions of academic articles related to evidence-based research in the field of further education. I have been able to apply this knowledge to my teaching and develop first-hand experience of the methods of best practice.

This programme has opened many doors for me. Juggling life as an accountant and busy mum of 3, the possibility of retraining as a teacher felt like a fanciful daydream. With the support of Edge Hill and Wirral Met College, I can now pursue my dream career, teaching and supporting students.

I have gained experience of teaching both adults and sixth formers on a range of different courses. Wirral Met College gave me the opportunity to take responsibility for the delivery of a full course module, providing me with experience of creating an inclusive and adaptive curriculum, assessing student’s prior knowledge, supporting student’s learning progression and preparing students for external examinations. Along with the academic teaching provided my lecturers, this experience has greatly enhanced my employability in the education sector.

Edge Hill University provide extensive careers advice throughout the duration of the programme. Members of the university’s careers team ran sessions on how to build a teaching CV and when to look out for and apply for teaching jobs. Lecturers at Wirral Met College went above and beyond to support and champion students on the programme, to open-up career opportunities for us.

The advice I would give anyone considering this course would be, Do It! I took a massive leap away from my comfort zone by enrolling on the course, having been away from education for so long, but I have absolutely no regrets about doing so.