Adult Learning Leads Leanne to Teaching Degree

Returning to work following the birth of her third child - during Covid - Leanne Doran knew she wanted something different.   Two years on, the Newcastle woman is set to start university for a dream career in teaching and is keen to encourage others to take that first step back to education with SERC.

Leanne (32), a busy mother of three children, is currently completing the Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Access Studies (Access Course) at South Eastern Regional College’s Newcastle Campus.   She said, “I left school with two A Levels, having dropped a third during my A Level course.   I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do but secured a job working with Autism Initiatives, helping individuals with supported living."

 “I gave birth to my third child during Covid, which was traumatic, but when I went back to work, I knew I wanted a change.   I saw the banner outside Newcastle Campus promoting an open day and decided to go along. During the open day I discovered about the Access Course and thought it was for me.   So, I registered my youngest to attend the creche, and applied for the course but then I got cold feet and thought I wouldn’t go.  However, because I had registered my child for a place, the Creche Manager, Ursula, rang me and said they had a place for him, so I decided I would go."

“Having the creche at the College has been fantastic.   I wouldn’t have been able to come back to education without this support and the creche team are fantastic. My son Eoin, who attends whilst I am in class, loves it.   He has been thriving in the creche whilst I have been building my confidence in class."     

Leanne added, “To say I haven’t looked back would be an understatement.  At SERC, I got so much encouragement and people pushing me on - in the nicest possible way - it was like having your own cheerleaders, and they are all so passionate about their subjects, especially maths.  The class is small, so you get to know everyone really well and make friends - for life – very quickly. Yes, it has been a lot of work, but you are all in the same boat and no one cares what you did or didn’t do before, they just want you to do your best."

“The Access Diploma has given me opportunities I never dreamed possible.   I am thinking about primary school teaching and have offers from Stranmillis University College and St Mary’s University College (both part of Queen’s University Belfast) for a degree in education starting this September.”

She continued, “I am looking forward to the challenge of further study.   There will be a lot of jugging with my family, but I have good support and my mother has been wonderful.   I think of it as short-term pain for long-term gain.   I am changing from a job to a career."

 “My children think it is fantastic that I am studying too.   My elder two are at primary school so sometimes we are all doing homework together.   What I have enjoyed most over the past two years, is seeing that I was capable of a lot more than I thought."

Leanne concluded, “For anyone thinking of the Access course I would say, park all your doubts and just take the opportunity.  My classmates are getting ready for further study in science, in nursing and other pathways and I am pursuing teaching. There are so many different pathways, you will never know where it could take you until you get started.”

Join us on Wednesday 17 May between 10.00am-2.00pm in Newcastle or 19 May 10.00am - 2.00pm in Ballynahinch for our Restart & Access Open Day. Staff will be on hand to provide information, advice and guidance on Restart Education and Access to Higher Education courses, Student Finance, Careers Service, Little SERC - our onsite creche - and the application process.