Charlotte Willoughby
Study Type: Apprenticeship
Study Location: Workplace
Subject Studied: Teacher Training, Coaching and Mentoring
TA apprenticeship helps Charlotte fall back in love with learning
Taking a Teaching Assistant apprenticeship with Derby College Group has helped TA Charlotte Willoughby fall back in love with learning.
Charlotte previously worked in retail for Asda for 15 years but was running a breakfast club at a local primary school when the new opportunity arose.
She said: “It all started when I was doing a 1-2-1 with an autistic pupil during the pandemic. There was a shortage of teaching assistants at my school – Cloudside Academy in Sandiacre – so I was asked if I’d like to retrain as a TA.
“Because I had A-levels I went straight onto the Level 3 apprenticeship and completed that with Derby College last November. I can recommend my course 100%.
“I hated school and decided after sixth form that education wasn’t for me, but this apprenticeship has made me fall back in love with learning.
“My tutor Louise has been amazing – one of the kindest most supportive people I’ve ever met. She believes in me and has inspired me to go on to do the Level 4 TA course once I’ve taken a break from studying.”
Charlotte, who is 32, works with seven to 11-year-olds. As well as assisting teachers in the classroom, she is also an ELSA, an emotional literacy support assistant.
She added: “I help children with their emotional as well as learning needs. Counselling is an area that opened up to me through my course; it would not have happened without college.
“The best part of my job is working with the children. As TAs we take on so many different roles, including first aider and second mum!
“I did day release at the Roundhouse and liked everything about my course and the atmosphere at college. I didn’t find anything boring; it was all interesting and I learned a lot.
“It gave me so much confidence. Being observed in the classroom was terrifying the first time but I soon got used to it and came to really enjoy it. I found it gave me chance to reflect on the way I work.”
Initially Charlotte was worried she would be among the oldest students on her course but found a good mix of ages, with everyone on it keen to learn.
My tutor Louise has been amazing – one of the kindest most supportive people I’ve ever met. She believes in me and has inspired me to go on to do the Level 4 TA course once I’ve taken a break from studying.