Hannah

When did you join Weston College? 

In 2014 I joined Weston College as a student on the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business. Business had been a subject I really enjoyed at GCSE level and the course seemed the best option for me to be able to continue my part time job at a local gymnastics club. I completed the 2-year course in 2016, I was able to gain knowledge in a variety of subject areas and was able to engage with extra activities such as a trip to New York in 2015. After not fully enjoying school, my college experience was really positive and made me enjoy education again, this then inspired me to want to get into teaching. After finishing my BTEC I was keen to continue my study. I then went to UCW to study on the Business Management with Sustainability programme, graduating in September 2019 with a first-class degree. I was keen to get into teaching but with no teaching jobs or opportunities available at the time, I secured a position working as a graduate trainee working within the HEART team at UCW, this allowed me to work within student services developing the crucial skills I would need to teach. Whist on my graduate programme I was given the opportunity to take on some teaching hours within Business and 3 months later I was teaching full time.  

I have been working as a full-time lecturer for 3 and a half years now. I teach both Business and Travel and Tourism on BTEC and T-Level programmes.  

Why did you join Weston College? 

Since completing my Business BTEC in 2016, I was keen to explore a career in teaching. I found the course such a refreshing change to school and I was finally enjoying education again, this inspired me to want to get into teaching. Weston College provided a great opportunity for myself as a learner, so I was keen to be able to offer a similar experience for  future learners.  

How do you spend your day? 

I work full time Monday-Friday, during my week I will teach over 130 students Business and Travel related subjects. I also have tutor groups who I support through their qualifications, this year I have tutored a L2 Business and a Travel and Tourism group.  

How has the College supported your career development? 

The college have supported me with achieving my level 5 Diploma in Teaching and Education, I was able to study whilst teaching full time and achieved the qualification within a year. I undertake regular CPD in a variety of areas, such as inclusivity, diversity and equality.  

What have you been involved in while working at Weston College? 

I have been able to be involved in many trips and visits as a lecturer including taking our learners to London, Thorpe Park and New York. I have been able to work with many employers to support our programmes and provide impactful work placements for our learners.  

What’s the best thing about working at Weston College? 

Supporting learners through their courses and watching them develop their confidence is one of the best parts of my role. Especially as many learners have barriers to education and often do not want to initially come to college, so seeing them enjoy our courses is very rewarding. Another great part of my role is seeing what our learners go onto after they finish the course, with many of our travel learners going into dream roles such as working at the airport or cabin crew and many of our business learners going to university, onto management apprenticeships and a range of different job roles within the sector.  

One of the highlights of my career so far was in February 2023 when three colleagues and I took 34 students to New York, it was a fantastic experience to be able to give to the learners, especially as in 2015 I also went to New York as a student during my course.