Spotlight on Talent – Marcia

Studied: ESOL Speaking & Listening, Functional Skills English, Functional Skills Maths,

Level 2 Food Safety in Catering, Level 2 Community Interpreting, Level 2 Understanding Autism, Level 2 Certificate in Special Education Needs and Disability (SENCO) and Pathway to Childcare/Lunchtime Supervisor

Progression: Lunchtime supervisor

“It’s been so important to me to learn and be able to work.  Having come so far, I’m more positive about myself and my future.”

 “I used to work as a speech therapist in Portugal where I’m originally from, and I was eager to continue my career in a UK school.

“Functional Skills English and Maths came first.  Then I completed free distance learning courses relating to education and childcare.

“I can’t emphasise enough how much Walsall College and its tutors have to offer and how much things changed for me since beginning my studies here.  The tutors constantly encourage and motivate students through excellent content, great classes and lots of important information for both learning and work.”

“The new Pathway to Childcare/Lunchtime Supervisor course gave me my big break into employment.”

“It was a very good course.  We went through all the important topics relating to being in a school environment and working with children.  Things like child safeguarding, behaviour and management, food hygiene and allergies, health and safety during lunchtime and playground rules and games.”

“After completing a 20-hour placement at a school, I applied for and was offered a lunchtime supervisor role.”

“I’m so happy to be working again.”

“My job interview questions matched everything from my course.

“The best thing of all was that I didn’t just share information.  I also gave real life examples of situations I had experienced at the school and scenarios we looked at in class during presentations, group work and discussions.

“It will be nice to help children with their learning and development outside the classroom.

“I’d love to go further.”

“I want to keep improving.  I’m already looking at studying a teaching assistant qualification.  I feel confident I can keep achieving my goals.”