Former undergraduate student, PGCE student and Graduate Intern, Rachael Mcloughlin, has achieved Associate Fellowship Status to the Higher Education Academy. The HEA is the badge of recognition for tutors, lecturers, and academics working in Higher Education. Her success has come from work completed with students at UCO. Rachael evidenced how she provides an effective learning environment, student support and supports learning as part of UCO’s peer-assisted learning scheme.
Since January last year, Rachael has been a Graduate Intern at UCO, working part-time as the administrator and research assistant within the newly developed Academic Success Hub, part of a HEFCE-funded catalyst bid for innovations in teaching and learning.
Rachael’s current work as a Graduate Intern also played a large role in her successful application, as she could share with the HEA how the work that she does within the Academic Success Hub, in ensuring that students have access to the resources needed to further their academic development and experience, ensures a successful learning environment for all.
Guest Lecturers Share Expert KnowledgeStudents on the Children & Young People Foundation Degree participated in a guest lecture delivered by Susan Rowen and Lucky Deb from Home-Start Oldham, Stockport & Tameside on Monday, 26 February 2018.
Students took part in an in-depth discussion on troubled families in the local area with case studies and examples. The group looked at the work done by the Home-Start charity to support families within Oldham, Stockport and Tameside, and discovered the process of becoming a volunteer. The event was arranged to bring to life the subject of supporting troubled families and enhance the teaching and learning. Sue and Lucky were able to demonstrate expert knowledge from their experiences of working within practice.
Students also took part in a question and answer session with Sue and Lucky to explore future employment pathways and insight into the valuable work that they do.
Children & Young People Lecturer, Leonie Sweeney, explained, “It’s an amazing opportunity for students to hear first hand what it’s really like to work with troubled families in the Oldham area, and to consider volunteering and employment options which they may wish to pursue in the future.”
After the event, student Rebecca Chapman added, “I found the session to be incredibly helpful, not only for my report but mainly for my nursery and the families I come into contact with every day. They are running an incredible service, and were very knowledgeable on their roles and on Oldham in general.”
Student Wendy Bailey commented, “It was eye opening to learn there is no timescale on how much time they spend building up confidence with families to gain help and achieve their goals – whatever they may be.”