Graduate Success as Outstanding Student Achieves Dream

A career in teaching awaits a graduate from Bishop Grosseteste University who enrolled at university on a foundation degree and is now leaving with a postgraduate qualification.

Ashlea Reid (24) from Grimsby was working in a nursery when she realised that her ambition was to become a teacher. But with a job to hold down she didn’t have the time to access a full-time course to help her fulfil her dreams.

Fortunately for Ashlea, Bishop Grosseteste University delivers a Foundation Degree in Applied Studies (Early Childhood); a work-based course for people who are already working or volunteering with children and want to study for a degree.

“I wanted to study at BGU because of its reputation for teacher training, and a career in teaching was my long-term goal,” said Ashlea. “I found out that they offered the Applied Studies foundation degree course, which I could access once a week to fit in with working at the nursery.”

Following the two-year course Ashlea graduated in 2013 with a merit and then went on to study a BA (Hons) in Applied Studies (Early Childhood), which she completed in 2014, gaining a 2:1.

Thanks to her training and experience Ashlea was able to develop professionally and in 2014 began working as a teaching assistant at New Waltham Academy in Grimsby alongside her studies.

Last year Ashlea began the final phase of her training by undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). She will celebrate completing the course on Wednesday 15th July at 2pm during a ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral.

“I would urge others, thinking about a career in teaching but working full-time, to consider the Applied Studies route,” said Ashlea. “Being able to train at the same time as gaining valuable real-life experience has definitely made a difference to my professional development.

“I’m really looking forward to beginning my career as a Year 1 teacher at Signhills Academy in Cleethorpes this September.”

BGU’s Foundation Degree in Applied Studies is a work-related programme that enables working practitioners (or experienced volunteers) to study alongside their work and family responsibilities.

Students choose from three pathways: Learning Support, Early Childhood or Children & Youth Work, according to their work role.

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