Teachers and childcare workers of the future celebrated their achievements as two years studying at Coleg Gwent’s Ebbw Vale Campus recently came to a close.
The group of 12 Foundation Degree in Childhood Studies students based at Coleg Gwent’s Ebbw Vale Campus donned caps and gowns for their graduation ceremony at the University of Glamorgan.
Many of the students had progressed from Level 3 Childcare courses at the Campus and will now be going on to top up their qualification to a full BSc honours degree in Childhood Studies at the University, so it was a very proud moment for Lecturer Debbie Field: “I’m delighted to see them do so well, they’ve been a lovely group to teach.
“Whatever life has thrown at them in the past few years, they’ve come through it together and worked really hard. Each one thoroughly deserves their success.”
The group come from different backgrounds and places, including the Valleys, Abergavenny and Newport, and their jobs range from looking after babies to working with older teenagers.
“The course gives them an excellent starting platform for many different areas of childcare, including teaching and childcare services,” said Debbie.
It was a family affair for sisters Hayley and Becky Powell, from Tredegar, who were in the unusual position of graduating together.
Hayley, 25 successfully made the journey from further to higher education at the Campus and graduated with her sister Becky, 32, who works in a day nursery.
Hayley said: “I never thought when I started that I’d get this far, but I’m absolutely thrilled to have done it! To have my sister there and graduate together made it even more memorable.”
Hayley now works at Glanhowy Primary School, where she did her first placement as a Coleg Gwent student, she said: “I’ve had four amazing years at Coleg Gwent, and have been supported brilliantly by Debbie and the other staff.
“It was hard at times, but I had no doubt that Debbie would help us all through every step of the way.”
The sisters will now both be going on to Glamorgan University for a third year of study to complete their BSc honours degree in Childhood studies.
Foundation Degree in Childhood Studies is a UHOVI (Universities Heads of the Valleys Institute) course taught at Coleg Gwent’s Ebbw Vale Campus and awarded by the University of Glamorgan.
