Hometown: Camborne
Course: BA (Hons) Education and Training
Next Steps: Primary school teacher
BA (Hons) Education and Training student, Amber, hopes to become a primary school teacher after winning the coveted Bianca Trew award for passion and dedication to education.
Amber previously studied A Levels at Camborne Sixth Form before deciding to stay and study locally for her degree. Amber studied the FdA Childhood Education degree at the University Centre Truro and Penwith and has now progressed onto the BA (Hons) Education and Training top-up, with the goal of becoming a teacher in Cornwall.
Amber explained: “Staying in Cornwall was a key factor when studying to become a teacher, as I want to give back to the local community. Studying at Truro enabled me to do so”.
“The class sizes are small, and I think this is highly beneficial for learning as lectures feel almost 1-1 and discussions are easier to have. By having small class sizes, everyone helps each other out and I have made lifelong friends.”
Before progressing on to her current course, Amber graduated from the FdA Childhood Education degree in October 2023, and scooped the Bianca Trew Award, awarded to one student each year for their innovative approach to education, due to her passion for sustainability: “I feel incredibly proud and honoured to have won the Bianca Trew award. I believe that education for sustainable development is one of the most important aspects of education today, so to be recognised for being passionate and dedicated about this is wonderful.”
Amber describes the highlights of her course as: “making lifelong friends at uni and whilst on placement. The small class sizes make the university stand out against others, with in-depth lectures from experienced tutors. The course has offered many extra additions to the degree including practical experience and visits to Forest Schools which I particularly enjoyed”.
She has also completed professional work placements and worked as a supply Teaching Assistant at a local Primary school, giving her hands-on experience in the environment she hopes to enter after graduation.
“After graduation I plan on completing my teacher training and going on to become a Primary school teacher. I would love to focus on outdoor learning and sustainable education.”
Amber’s advice to future students looking to stay and study locally is to: “Go for it! It is a tough and demanding course, but it is definitely worth it. I have learnt so much about education from experienced lecturers and made lifelong friends whilst doing so.”
