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Tom Chandley

University Foundation Certificate Fastrack: Preparation for higher education

The Fastrack programme gave me the confidence and direction I needed, introduced me to the campus and people and taught me how to write academically. Even if just a small part of you is thinking about doing this course then I would definitely recommend it

“I left the army about a year ago as I wanted to do something different. Although the leaving process was difficult and there were uncertainties about what would await me on Civvy Street, I was determined to leave, find a new path and prove myself.

I had a desire to be a teacher and following a placement at a local primary school decided it was definitely for me. I didn’t have fantastic grades and had been out of education for a long time, so started looking at my options. I came to an open day at Edge Hill where I found out more about the Fastrack programme, including that it is a short full-time course that is really condensed, so I signed up.

Initially I was concerned that I didn’t have enough subject knowledge to either write academically or become a teacher, but the tutors soon helped me to realise that I wasn’t out of my depth. We did scaffolding exercises where we were walked through a task step-by-step until we got it right, and were given ‘feed forward’, rather than ‘feedback’, where you are told exactly how to improve. The tutors also tell you that by the end of the course you will be standing in front of a group and speaking confidently, and I was.

I found that it really doesn’t matter how old you are or your ambitions, because you will fit in. We were a really diverse group of people, ranging from 18 year olds in need a second chance, to people in their 60s, who are now studying degrees. I’m really happy to say that I’ve now progressed onto a BA (Hons) in Primary Education with QTS.

The Fastrack programme gave me the confidence and direction I needed, introduced me to the campus and people and taught me how to write academically. Even if just a small part of you is thinking about doing this course then I would definitely recommend it.”