Leah Meakin
Study Type: Apprenticeship
Study Location: The Roundhouse
Subject Studied: Teacher Training, Coaching and Mentoring
TA apprenticeship best route to Primary Education degree for Leah.
Taking a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship with Derby College Group helped undergraduate Leah Meakin confirm she definitely wanted to be a teacher.
Leah, aged 20, is in the first year of a BA Hons degree in Primary Education at Nottingham Trent University, but doubts she would have got there without the knowledge she gained while an apprentice.
After GCSEs Leah enrolled at Joseph Wright Centre to take A-levels in Sociology, Criminology and Geography – subjects she was interested in and which she hoped would lead to a University place,
However, the pandemic came along and she was unable to complete her Sociology A-level after the first year, instead opting to take Psychology for a year and looking at other pathways to higher education.
Leah said: “I enquired about apprenticeships at the Roundhouse and found the two-year Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.
“I really enjoyed it. I was on a placement at Meadow Farm Community Primary School in Chaddesden, just around the corner from where I went to school.
“Everything we learned on the apprenticeship was worthwhile – I could see why we were learning it. Our tutors were supportive and explained it all so well.
“We’re now doing phonics in reading at uni, something I already know about as we covered speech and language at college.
“I also enjoyed studying child development on my college course. It helped me when I was working in SEN, assisting children with special educational needs, and it gave me a better understanding of the steps needed to help them develop.”
As a schoolgirl Leah struggled with anxiety and is grateful to her teachers for all the support they gave her. She added:
“Taking the apprenticeship made me realise just what a good job teachers do; it’s pretty special to be able to help someone deal with pressure when they’re feeling overwhelmed.”
As part of her four year degree course Leah will go on block placements in schools. In her third year she will have chance to go abroad, teaching at schools in Africa or working at Camp America summer camp in the United States.
Everything we learned on the apprenticeship was worthwhile – I could see why we were learning it. Our tutors were supportive and explained it all so well.