Return to Education Leads to College - and School - for Hannah

We all know juggling family, home and a job can be a balancing act, but Hannah Smith has found the perfect solution by returning to college so she could, literally, go back to school.

Hannah (32), from Newcastle, a busy mum to three primary school aged children, has just completed the Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning qualification at SERC’s Newcastle Campus.   Hannah says, “When I left St Malachy’s after my GCSEs, I studied a Level 2 in Childcare, alongside Literacy and Numeracy.   I went on to do a Diploma in Health and Social Care but, with one thing and another, I didn’t finish the course.   Since then, I worked in various roles in hospitality, retail and the care sector.”

Recalling the trigger point for returning to education Hannah says, “My father passed away a few years ago.   Both my parents were carers for my brother, Mark who has cerebral palsy and learning difficulties - he is wheelchair bound and non-verbal - but my mother couldn’t manage on her own so Mark had to go and live in a care home.   When we went into lockdown, and access to visit loved ones was often through a window, my family were distraught.  So, I applied for and secured a job in the home where Mark lived, just to be close to him.   It was a really difficult time for the whole family.”

She explains “It was at this point I decided that I wanted to do something more.  I always had an interest in children and schools and found out about the Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning at SERC.  I applied for it ages before it was due to start and had put it to the back of my mind, but when the time came for the course to commence, I thought I would just go for it.”

She adds, “Part of the course involved a placement, and I was lucky enough to secure one at my children’s school, St Mary’s Primary School in Newcastle.   I then secured a role supporting children in the school.  It is working out brilliantly since my kids are there too. The course is one year part-time, and we are on campus one day a week 9.30 – 4.30pm, so it fitted in with home life and I am able to manage the school runs.”

Speaking about coming back to SERC to study she says, “The tutors were brilliant and very supportive.   I have gained so much confidence just from coming back to study and getting into the way of doing assignments.  There is a lot of work but setting time aside to do the work and keeping on top of it makes it manageable. Over the year you get to know everyone on the course, meet new people from the local area and develop new friendships.

I really enjoyed the content including learning exactly what an Individual Education Plan entails and the different support levels for individuals - you learn so much. No two days are the same when I am in my learning support role at school.   So, if this is something that interests you, you will really enjoy the course.”

If you're interested in learning more about the Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning or other part-time courses, come along to SERC on Wednesday 7 June between 5pm and 8pm at the College’s Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn, Newtownards and Newcastle Campuses for our Adult Education Open Evening. Unlock your future #BetterOffAtSERC.