Two students from Cornwall have graduated from their university studies with a First Class Honours degree.
Hannah Ladd and Sue Mitchell are among around 3,000 graduands who graduated from the University of Worcester in the historic Worcester Cathedral last week.
Hannah was first inspired to get on the course after she spotted the opportunity in her daughter’s school newsletter. She took a foundation degree in Teaching and Learning, which led on to a further year to achieve the full degree in Professional Practice (Education). She said: “Being awarded a First-Class Honours Degree is one of my proudest achievements.”
Hannah undertook her studies through The Learning Institute, in Cornwall, and said this had made it possible for her to study closer to home. “Without this accessibility I would not have had the opportunity to fulfil my ambition to complete a degree,” said the 37-year-old, of Newlyn. “The Learning Institute advertised the degree course in my daughter Molly’s school newsletter and ran the course from the school. This made it accessible for me whilst trying to balance work and family life with study. It worked perfectly and has now opened doors to me that would have otherwise been closed.”
With the onset of the pandemic, the former Penwith College pupil combined home schooling her daughter with her studies, which she said proved particularly challenging. “However, it was achievable with the support of my family and my incredible Personal Academic Tutor who was a constant support throughout,” she said.
She is now starting a Primary PGCE course with The Learning Institute and wants to be a primary school teacher. She said: “I am passionate about helping children to recognise and pursue their individual talents and interests, assisting them to know they have a place in the world.”
Sue Mitchell completed a degree in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, also through The Learning Institute.
“I am very proud of achieving a First Class Honours Degree alongside a full time job and a growing family. This is something I never believed would be possible,” said the 50-year-old, of Penryn.
Following her degree, Sue has moved from a role supporting students with emotional wellbeing in a secondary school to working in a specialist role in NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health. She is working on a pilot scheme with children who have a diagnosis of autism and mental health issues which place them at risk of inpatient admission.
Sue, who chose the course as it fitted around work and family commitments, said that online learning, due to the onset of the pandemic, had been challenging alongside supporting her family during lockdown.