Imogen Smith
A Criminology with Policing student who is set to graduate is looking forward to inspiring the next generation in a teaching role.
Imogen Smith is going on to do a PGCE with the aim of becoming a social science teacher at a secondary school.
“I am immensely proud of myself for achieving so much the past few years and can’t wait to continue my academic journey and begin my career,” she said. “The University has prepared me for graduation by encouraging us to look at future plans, CVs and applying for roles, so I do feel ready for the new challenge of teaching at a secondary school.”
Next year Imogen begins a school centred PGCE and teacher training in Social Sciences. Provided by the Haybridge Alliance and accredited by Birmingham City University, the training will be with the Invictus Education Trust schools and sixth form. “I am really looking forward to teaching Social Sciences and encouraging the next generation of budding social scientists, in a way similar to how my teachers and lecturers have inspired me,” said Imogen. Long-term, she wants to complete a Masters in Criminology, which she would do while teaching, with a view to one day becoming a university lecturer.
Imogen told what drew her to her studies and to Worcester. “I had a keen interest in learning about crime and deviance as part of my sociology A-level,” she said. “As such, I looked into studying Criminology at university. When attending an Open Day, I fell in love with the University of Worcester and the course. So much so, I changed my mind on my degree from Sociology and Criminology to Criminology with Policing. I loved the lecturer’s attitudes towards teaching and the environment within the University. I was so glad, despite my A-levels being cancelled as a result of Covid-19, when I got onto the course and could begin my journey at the University.”
Imogen was encouraged while on the course to do some volunteering, particularly with her interest in going into teaching. Alongside being a Scout Leader in her local town, she completed two terms volunteering with a local secondary school. “This was a great opportunity to gain classroom experience. While at this school, I also gained work experience within the pastoral department, where I really enjoyed supporting the young people who had particular needs which may not have been otherwise addressed in the main school, such as: those who were regularly excluded, behind with schooling or needed behavioural support.”
She used this experience to inform her final research project, which looked at the Prevent Duty and experiences of those working with it in a further educational institute. “Not only did this improve my research and analysis skills, it also provided me with an insight into how this counterterrorism policy works within education.”
Imogen said the people she had met on her course had really enhanced the experience. “The community feel at Worcester is very welcoming, I’ve always felt very at home at Worcester. Lecturers at Worcester are always keen on having feedback and are always available to listen to students. I have loved having such a good rapport with lecturers as I feel much more valued and comfortable; again, contributing to a community feel.”
The University’s annual autumn Graduation Ceremonies will take place as planned from September 12-14 in the beautiful and historic Worcester Cathedral followed by celebration receptions at the City Campus. No Worcester graduates have been affected by the marking and assessment boycott.
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