A Journey from Learning Support Assistant to Teaching.

Insights from Paige's inspiring career at Oakwood Specialist College, part of Phoenix Learning & Care Group.

Embarking on a career path that resonates with one's passion and purpose is a journey worth sharing. Today, we dive into the experiences of Paige, a dedicated individual whose journey with Oakwood Specialist College , part of Phoenix Learning & Care Group , has been nothing short of inspiring. From Learning Support Assistant to Teaching aspirations, her passion for impact and ability to navigate challenges has contributed to the success of her career.

Can you share a bit about your background and how you initially got involved with Oakwood Specialist College?

After completing my A-Levels at College I had various experiences within employment settings but none that I found truly fulfilling and that aligned with my skillset. I was then recommended by a friend to look at the opportunities available at Oakwood Specialist College. I applied for a position, had a successful interview and?began my career at Oakwood Specialist College as a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) and instantly loved it from the get-go!

What motivated you to pursue an apprenticeship with Oakwood/Phoenix, and how did you decide on the teaching path?

After working at Oakwood as a LSA for 2 years and seeing the hard work and dedication that goes into working with our learners, I was incredibly passionate about being a part of making a positive impact to learners lives and began to ask questions to our Senior Management Team (SMT) about how I could progress to become a teacher.

I started by attending a Level 3 Award in Education and Training with Exeter College where I learnt the basics to teaching and learning. Once I had completed this course, I was sure that teaching was the job for me. I had always wanted to teach from a young age, but the support and encouragement that Oakwood Specialist College gave me really instilled the motivation and drive to pursue this. I began having conversations with Oakwood Specialist College about how I could complete the level 4 Certificate in Education & the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training. Oakwood Specialist College and South Devon College had discussions around this and agreed to allow me to complete this as an apprenticeship!

Can you describe your experience during the apprenticeship program? What were the key components and challenges??

During my time completing the Apprenticeship I felt incredibly supported by both South Devon College and Oakwood Specialist College. At Oakwood the wider management and teaching team were always on-hand to support me with anything that I required.

The most challenging part for me was juggling being employed as a teacher and actively practising alongside studying, but this was manageable. The Apprenticeship was a fantastic way to understand teaching and have hands-on experience, however I quickly learnt that time management was crucial. It is important while you are studying that you do not let one or the other fall behind.

How has the apprenticeship prepared you for your current role as a teacher?

It allowed me to gain the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to be a teacher. Being able to be in a full time teaching role whilst learning was a huge benefit and I feel really helped to prepare me as any feedback and constructive criticism could be implemented immediately, and helped me to link theory to practice. I feel that the apprenticeship gave me the confidence and skills I needed to plan and deliver learning that is current, relevant, challenging and that inspires learners to engage and achieve their full potential.

Are there aspects of the apprenticeship that you find particularly beneficial in your day-to-day work?

The Apprenticeship helped me to develop some essential skills such as communication, time-management and problem solving but above all else my confidence grew substantially. These are skills that I now use every day and after practicing these, I now feel they come naturally and aid me both professionally and in my personal life.

What advice would you give to individuals considering an apprenticeship, especially in the teaching field?

I would encourage anyone considering an Apprenticeship to go for it. The ability to earn whilst you learn and develop both personal and professional skills is extremely valuable.?

Are there specific skills or mindsets that you believe are crucial for success in both apprenticeship and teaching roles?

Adaptability. Every day is different as a teacher. This apprenticeship helped me to understand that it is ok for things to not go exactly as planned and how to adapt to challenges and changes faced day to day.

Strong communication.

Teamwork. Apprenticeships involve working with new people/colleagues in a range of different scenarios i.e. different tasks and projects. This means sometimes teamwork is needed to complete tasks efficiently and quickly. This is the same in a teaching role. You will often have different staff/colleagues to work with. It is crucial to work together to provide learners with the best learning opportunities possible.

Lastly I would like to mention that the level of teaching and support from the teaching team at South Devon College was outstanding. I would like to mention Kath Burrows, Paul Hooper, Katy Joy, and Emma Corin. I would also like to mention that the support I had throughout the apprenticeship and helping me to feel prepared and ready for the EPA from Tina Smee and Leigh Bower.?

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