Teaching Assistants celebrate achievement at Bury College

Our 2022 graduation ceremony was a great chance to celebrate all our wonderful students, some of whom have progressed from Level 1 and Level 2 courses through to University, where they eventually graduated.

Dannika Haslam, Lucy Turner, Chloe Cavanagh, Karen Poulastides, Caitlin Smith and Stacey Mckenzie arrived at Bury College at different stages of their education, but all graduated together from their Teaching Assistants (Primary) FdA.

Caitlin Smith studied at Bury College for an incredible seven years. Progressing from Level 1 to Level 3 in Childcare, she enrolled at Bury College University Centre in September 2019. Dannika first joined us in 2016, when she enrolled on a Level 2 certificate in Early Years Education and Childcare. 

All the students are now working in a support capacity in educational settings, and they are exploring options to do a Top-up Degree and turn their qualification into a full BA Hons. They all spoke about the incredible support they have received since starting here and believe it’s played a big part in the success.

Their tutor Sarah Morris, Lecturer in Childcare at Bury College, was full of praise for Caitlin, Dannika and all the graduates. Sarah said: “As the FdA tutor and personal tutor over the last three years, I was incredibly proud to see these students graduate. They have had a tumultuous journey (studying and working in education through the pandemic) and their commitment and passion not only shone throughout but helped them, collectively, to the finish line. Many of our graduates have progressed from the childcare department (through Levels 1, 2 and 3) and have been with us at Bury College for over five years – and their confidence, knowledge and abilities as practitioners and academics have continued to flourish. They have worked incredibly hard, balancing full-time work with part-time studies and I wish them well in all their future ventures.”

With the Bury College University Centre, you will study in a student-focused environment and receive caring, tailored support from our highly experienced tutors. Click here for more information: https://burycollege.ac.uk/university-centre