Evie Litherland
Study Type: Apprenticeship
Study Location: Workplace
Subject Studied: Teacher Training, Coaching and Mentoring
TA apprenticeship gives Evie practical experience ahead of teaching degree
When 18-year-old Evie Litherland starts her degree course at the highly regarded Edge Hill University this September, she will become the first person in her family to train as a teacher.
Evie, from Spondon, has always wanted to be a teacher but instead of taking A-levels decided to do a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship via Derby College Group.
She said: “Teaching has always been my chosen career but I didn’t want to start A-levels and commit to a university place when I had no idea of what it’s like to work with young children.
“Also, I learn better when I’m ‘doing.’ My Derby College apprenticeship has given me practical experience and I now know the terminology used in teaching even before I start my degree.
“I think having the Level 3, which is equivalent to two A-levels, helped me get into Edge Hill – a university which has a really good reputation for its teaching courses.”
Evie, who works as a TA at Cherry Tree Hill Primary School in Chaddesden, secured her placement after searching the National Apprenticeship website.
She started at the school straight after GCSEs, working with Year 1s, the five and six year olds, in her first year and Reception class in her second year.
Evie added: “I found my college course so interesting – the teaching theory, the research side and lessons on child development – all of it. It was all new to me and learning it helped me to understand what I was doing every day at work.
“Louise, my college tutor, was lovely. She explained everything so well and in lots of detail. I always knew exactly what I had to do, which I think is why I finished my coursework so quickly.”
Evie, who completed her apprenticeship earlier this year with a Distinction, loves Cherry Tree Hill and will be sorry to leave in July.
She said: “If there is a place for me there, I’d love to go back as a qualified teacher. It’s such a nice school and I love spending time with the children, so much so that I spent my 18th birthday recently at Conkers on a school day out to the National Forest!”
My college tutor, was lovely. She explained everything so well and in lots of detail.