Access to Higher Education

“I have been in teaching after gaining my Mathematics degree, previously I taught outdoor pursuits. As someone would went to University as a mature student. I am excited in the opportunities that the access diploma can open up education.”

“Before teaching I worked for the international charity Oxfam as a Logistics Cor-ordinator, I organised the movement of people, water and health equipment to emergencies all around the world. I now teach A Level Geography and Access to Humanities. I have taught Geography for the last 24 years.    

“I am committed to helping students develop their academic skills further. I would like to help students develop their research, literacy, communication, presentation and numeracy skills. Helping students build up their confidence in preparation to study at university is the central purpose of my role.”

“After graduating with a Degree in Law, I entered the legal profession and worked at a local firm before embarking upon a career change. I have now worked in Further Education for over 25 years lecturing Law at A Level. In that time, I have also taught on various Access courses having been in the roles of Personal Tutor, the Course Co-ordinator and now the Academic Tutor. I also work as an External Moderator for Agored Cymru, the exam board with overall responsibility for Access courses in Wales.

“There is nothing more satisfying than seeing adults who arrive on an Access course, sometimes with little or no confidence, committing themselves to study in an attempt to better themselves and their families, and progressing onto the next step of their journey whether it be into higher education or a change of career. Access courses really do change people’s lives.”

“I trained as an adult nurse in 2014. I’ve worked in a range of settings such as trauma, medicine, the prison service and community nursing. I became a specialist nurse in 2016 but decided to become a lecturer in 2022. I still practice as a nurse in acute care and thoroughly enjoy it.”

“I am passionate about preparing people for the realities and incredible career that can be healthcare. I am a strong advocate for compassionate and dignified care. I hope to pass on my clinical knowledge in healthcare to learn from experience.”

“Access for me is a streamlined process to allow those who are truly passionate and serious about healthcare to receive the knowledge and preparation required to fulfil a role in healthcare. If I had been in a position to complete access prior to my degree it would have changed my entire outlook on the health service. It would have enabled me to build skill and knowledge in an area I was, in hindsight, not entirely prepared for.”

“I have been teaching at Coleg Sir Gar for the past 16 years. I have mainly taught within A levels and Access but have also had the pleasure to work along some fantastic staff in other faculties. Although my degree is within Media, I have also been heavily involved within the delivery of literacy and communications skills upon essential skills and the Welsh baccalaureate qualification throughout my educational career. “

“Access is a chance to start again. I can honestly say that for all of the qualifications that I have taught throughout my career, there are none that I personally find more rewarding than the Access diplomas. Sacrifice and determination play a big part for an Access learner. Nothing fills me with more pride than to see our learners come to the end (of what is a very intense course) and achieve their goals to progress to university and make that life change for not only themselves, but their family too.”