Apprentice heads back to her roots to support young people and their families.
Amy Sullock, previous pupil at Hartburn Primary School, has come full circle to support in the school.
Enrolling onto the Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3 through Middlesbrough College’s apprenticeship provider, Northern Skills, Amy has picked up key skills she wouldn’t learn in a classroom.
“I completed some work experience at Hartburn on my Level 3 Health and Care course and I absolutely loved it, I was keen to continue with the school and apprenticeship seemed like the perfect fit as I wanted more hands-on experience.
”I didn’t fully appreciate the skills you pick up whilst on an apprenticeship and the support you get from your team to further your experience, I have built some fantastic relationships here already, literally every member of staff is happy to help and support me.”
As well as gaining invaluable hands-on experience, Amy is able to learn theory and best practice during her study days in college.
“I attend college once a week which helps me link all of my practical learnings in the nursery to key theory, my Assessor Nicola is always on hand to support me and help me with anything I do not fully understand.”
Jo Brown, Assistant Head Teacher and Early Years Lead at Hartburn Nursery, has really seen the benefit of having an apprentice in her team:
“Apprenticeships are beneficial to both the individual and the school, not only do they help to champion the profession, they also support students to get the hands-on experience with children and families, which is so important in the role. We need employees to build up those key skills and knowledge.
“Amy is our first apprentice and we have had such a positive experience; it is something we will definitely consider in the future.
“It really is fantastic to see Amy come full circle, starting her journey as a pupil in our nursery and now supporting young people and families in that very same place.
“The support from Northern Skills has been a really smooth process – prior to Amy starting her course we had a meeting with Matthew who explained everything really clearly, so we had a clear foundation of what we were expecting. The Training Advisors have also been incredibly helpful.”
Now Amy has seen the benefits of an apprenticeship and gaining hands on experience whilst getting paid, she is keen to excel in her teaching career.
“The apprenticeship is everything you’d want it to be, you don’t realise the experience you get and the soft skills you pick up – I feel really settled here and I would love to continue full time as a Teaching Assistant once I complete my apprenticeship.”