I left The Holgate Academy in 2019 with GCSE grades ranging from 3 to 6. While I was never the strongest academically, I worked hard and achieved solid results. During my time at Holgate, I was fortunate to be supported by teachers who were incredibly dedicated, encouraging and committed to helping me succeed. The support I received during my GCSE years has stayed with me ever since. I will always remember their kindness, resilience and unwavering belief in my potential.
When I received my GCSE results, I achieved the grades needed to progress on to A level study while also resitting GCSE maths. However, after three months at college, I realised that the course was not the right fit for me and decided to leave. I took some time to consider my future and explore different career paths before enrolling on a multimedia journalism course.
After two years of study, I achieved a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Multimedia Journalism alongside my GCSE maths qualification. Although I enjoyed many aspects of the course, I eventually realised that journalism was not the career I wanted to pursue. Once again, I took time to reflect on my interests and ambitions before making my next big decision.
In 2023, I decided to take a leap of faith, pack my bags and move to Norwich to study at the University of East Anglia. I enrolled on the Education, Learning and Teaching Degree course, and it proved to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Three years later, I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Education, Learning and Teaching, developing a particular interest in supporting EAL (English as an additional language) students in England.
Inspired by my studies, I have chosen to pursue the TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language) pathway and hope to teach English abroad. I am currently working towards my Level 5 TEFL qualification, which is an exciting next step in my career journey.
My decision to move from journalism into teaching was heavily influenced by the lasting impact of the teachers who supported me during my time at Holgate. Their encouragement, dedication and belief in me helped shape the person I am today. Teachers play a vital role in the development of young people, and I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to make a similar difference in the lives of future students. I hope to inspire and support others in the same way that my teachers at Holgate inspired and supported me.
Get involved
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Made at Holgate
Please visit our dedicated alumni page, Made at Holgate, for more inspiring stories and experiences from our former students, and to learn how you can become part of our unique network.
