Northern Regional College is a stepping stone to a new career for Coleraine woman

After graduating university with a BA Hons in Humanities, Samantha Stewart has just started a new career as a classroom assistant in a local primary school. Having worked in accounts for over 12 years, she decided she need a complete change.

“I always loved working with children, so I took the decision to enrol on the City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning at Northern Regional College,” Samantha explained.

“Even though I’m now in my 40s, I can say for the first time that I’ve doing something that I really enjoy. By undertaking this course, I learnt so much about how to support children in a school setting. It also included placements in a local school, so I felt confident about starting my new career,” she continued.

Samantha said the course, which she undertook at the College’s Ballymoney campus, had given her the confidence to do new things and that she would have no hesitation recommending it and encouraging other mature students to go back to the books.

She continued: “There was so much I enjoyed about the course and it was well balanced between classroom learning and placement, which gave us an opportunity to apply what we were learning in class to a real-life situation. It was fantastic to meet new people of different ages and backgrounds and we all benefited from learning about each other’s experiences and knowledge.

“If you enjoy working with children and are interested in pursuing a career in a school, then this is the course for you. The diploma will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to work in a school and you get a recognised qualification that will help open the door to a new career.”

Childcare lecturer Kasala McCurdy who co-ordinates the Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning Diploma at the Ballymoney campus explained that the course, which concentrates on the stages from Foundation to the end of Key Stage 4, is the recommended qualification for use in primary, secondary and special needs schools.

“There are modules on numeracy and literacy as well as behaviour, communication, health and safety and child protection. Students are required to attend the four-hour class and complete a weekly six-hour placement for the duration of the course to ensure they are well equipped for a career in teaching,” Kasala explained.

She continued: “I am pleased to say that all the students who completed the diploma and applied for jobs in the sector are working as classroom assistants in local schools. Samantha contributed greatly to the classroom activities and I am delighted she has decided to continue her studies at the College by enrolling on the Level 2 ADHD course which will further enhance her employability.”

Kasala attributed the success of the Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning Diploma to the good working relationship the College enjoys with local schools and other employers.

“We have placed a high value on this in order to keep the door open for future students and it’s great to see the hard work invested in these relationships is now paying dividends,” she said.

The Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support in Teaching and Learning is also available at Ballymena and Newtownabbey. For further information on all full time and part-time courses at the College, go to www.nrc.ac.uk.

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