Isabelle Cooke

Isabelle Cooke, from Broseley, Shropshire, said she was thrilled to be graduating with a top degree in Primary Initial Teacher Education with QTS and is now fulfilling a lifetime ambition.

“My dream since I was in primary school myself was to become a primary school teacher. So to be graded as an ‘outstanding’ primary teacher at the end of my final teaching placement and to be awarded a First Class Honours, was simply, a dream come true,” said the 21-year-old.

She continued: “During my degree, I completed a variety of teaching placements whereby I taught from Reception up to Year 2. On my final day at my final placement, I was fortunate enough to be offered a job teaching their Year 2 class. After this, I went away and wrote my dissertation (which seems to take over your life for a few months but it’s all worth it!) and after submitting this, I had a phone call from the school. They asked whether I would like to start work ahead of receiving my QTS, on supply cover in Reception. My answer was undoubtedly, yes!”

Isabelle said she looked back with fondness at her time at the University of Worcester. “From walking into the University of Worcester, I knew straight away that it was the university I wanted to be at,” she said. “It was big enough that it allowed great social nights out and there were lots of events but small enough that it felt like home. The lecturers have all been outstanding and will do anything to ensure that you are being the best you can be and the University of Worcester has a fantastic reputation in terms of teaching, as now nearly all of my friends have secured a job.”