Former student Vicky Whitaker has come full circle after returning to the place her teaching journey began.
Vicky joined the College in 2014 as a mature student. She studied GCSE English, which allowed her to progress onto the College’s Level 3 Access to Higher Education (HE) in Education Professions Diploma.
“I really enjoy seeing the students transform throughout their journey on the course – I watch them grow, develop and above all believe in themselves.”
Upon completion of her Access to HE Diploma, she studied at the University of Huddersfield and obtained her BSc Psychology degree, before completing her MSc Investigative Psychology degree with a Distinction grade.
Vicky joined our Childcare and Health department in September 2022, as an Access to HE Teacher, to give back to the place her career started, by teaching the College’s Pre-Access and Access to HE in Health Science Professions.
Alongside teaching, Vicky is completing a Psychology PhD thesis on how emotions may facilitate facial recognition via scholarship at the University of Huddersfield and is in her writing-up period at the end of her final year of study.
Whilst completing her PhD, Vicky has obtained an Associate Fellowship and has also co-authored a chapter within a book on criminal law. She will continue teaching the College’s Access to HE courses as well as teaching Counselling courses in the new academic year.
Vicky said: “I became a teacher at the College to give individuals the same opportunity I had. I received so much support and encouragement during my time on the Access course. It helped me develop and overcome my own challenges and enabled me to progress and achieve all that I have.
“I really enjoy seeing the students transform throughout their journey on the course – I watch them grow, develop and above all believe in themselves.”
Viv Herbert, Access Course Leader for Childcare and Health at the College, added: “As a former Access to Higher Education student, Vicky understands the challenges associated with returning to learning as a mature student, which has allowed her to develop interesting and engaging lessons for our students.
“Vicky goes above and beyond to provide academic support to those who needed it and I can’t wait to continue working with her next year!”
We offer Level 3 Access to Higher Education courses in Childhood Studies and Health Science Professions, with spaces available for September. You can study around existing commitments as the course is studied over two full days per week.
For more information, visit the Health, Science and Social Care Profession or Childcare and Teacher Training department page or contact the Information Team by emailing info@barnsley.ac.uk or calling 01226 216 123.
Last updated: 12th July 2023
Originally posted on: 12th July 2023