When Kaleigh Grant began working in a school as a Teaching Assistant, she knew she loved supporting children, but she also knew she wanted to grow. After completing her Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprenticeship through Bradford College, she began exploring ways to continue working while gaining a higher qualification. That’s when she discovered the BA (Hons) Supporting and Managing Learning in Education (Level 6) at Bradford College.
“I just knew that I wanted more, but I didn’t necessarily want to leave my job. So I was looking for something that would allow me to still work and study at the same time.”
The programme’s flexibility, familiarity, and the existing partnership between her school and Bradford College made it the perfect fit.
A Supportive and Welcoming HE Environment
From the very beginning, even when classes were online, Kaleigh felt welcomed and supported by her tutors and the wider College community.
“They’ve always made themselves available and you always got a response… if you needed something, you would get it.”
She also found the atmosphere of the Higher Education building to be mature, friendly, and reassuring:
“We’ve got our own HE community here… although you’re at college, you still feel like an adult.”
Growing in Skills, Confidence, and Perspective
The course not only deepened Kaleigh’s academic knowledge, but transformed her personally and professionally. The varied assessment methods helped her build confidence step by step:
“I had never written an essay in my life… but the range of assessments really helped. Now I can write an essay, and I can speak in front of a group of adults.”
Her confidence grew beyond public speaking. She also developed a deeper cultural awareness thanks to the diversity within her cohort:
“I think I’ve learned to be a little bit more considerate of other people’s way of life… it’s extremely diverse here.”
Career Progression and New Opportunities
Since starting her degree, Kaleigh has already progressed in her career, from Teaching Assistant to HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant):
“When I started this course, I was just an LSA… now I’m a full-time HLTA, and my timetable’s full.”
Her degree has also opened the door to gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through her workplace:
“Next year I’m going to go in as an unqualified teacher, get my QTS, and then I’ll be a qualified teacher… hopefully I’m going to be a teacher in the next two years.”
She values the flexibility and breadth of the degree, which keeps her career options open:
“It’s very transferable… you can do anything that’s people or child-centric. It kept all of those doors open.”
Advice to Future Students
Kaleigh encourages anyone considering Higher Education, especially mature or working students, to take the leap:
“Just do it. Don’t be scared about not knowing anybody… don’t think you’re too old or not smart enough, because you will get the support you need.”
A Life-Changing Experience
Looking back, Kaleigh feels her time at Bradford College has been pivotal:
“This is probably the most useful thing I’ve done so far. I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m going to do next without Bradford College.”
Click here to find out more about the Higher Education courses we offer.