Teesdale School and Sixth Form

Since leaving school I have gained independence by controlling my own finances and wellbeing. I have made new friends at university through lectures, halls of residence and mutual friends. Being fully independent has allowed me to have more control over my life. I now enjoy cooking meals for myself and meeting new friends has given me more confidence. What university do you attend? Northumbria University What qualifications are you working towards? Bsc (Hons) Psychology What are your future plans and ambitions? My aim after university is to start training to become a counsellor and help people. If I am able too, I'd like to take on further training to specialise in clinical psychology. What has been the highlight of your life so far after leaving school? The freedom that university life brings. I've enjoyed meeting new people and having new experiences. Becoming fully independent and having the sole ability to make choices concerning my future studies and career pathway has been liberating. What is your favourite Teesdale memory? There are many memories that I cherish from Teesdale School, but my favourites are the ones I spent with old friends, who are still my best friends to this day despite us all going to different universities. It is one of the main reasons I'm so happy that I went to Teesdale School.

I am currently studying towards a BA in Primary Education with QTS at Durham University. What are your future plans and ambitions? Once I leave university, I hope to secure a job as a teacher in an upper Key Stage 2 class in a primary school. I later wish to go on to become an special educational needs and disabilities specialist with the possibility of progressing to a headship at some stage in my career. What has been the highlight of your life so far after leaving school? My highlight since leaving Teesdale School has been starting university and meeting lots of new people as well as gaining a new-found independence - I realise now that I can cook more than just pasta! What is your favourite Teesdale memory? There are so many to choose from! I’d have to say it’s between being taught to salsa dance in Year 10, form time and the internship opportunity that I had in sixth form. The chance to spend a half day a week at Green Lane was essential prior to my university course and was not only enjoyable but an amazing chance to gain experience in a primary school, provided by Teesdale Sixth Form. I’ll always remember Mr Whitehead telling me that I would pass A Level maths, and as much as I told him I wouldn’t and that I couldn’t do it, he believed in me and I only went and passed it and got into university.

I am currently studying a BSc Hons Geography degree at the University of Chester. What are your future plans and ambitions? At the end of my degree I hope to do a PGCE year. Once this is completed I may take a year out to do further research for geography in countries such as New Zealand or Iceland. After that, I hope to become a secondary school geography teacher. What has been the highlight of your life so far after leaving school? Probably having complete independence. Since being at university I have developed numerous life skills. For example, I have learned to cook myself, no longer just a Pot Noodle! I have also had to balance my finances, in terms of food shopping, rent and also differing aspects for a social life. What is your favourite Teesdale memory? I have many great memories of Teesdale School, one that stands out is falling in the river on the Year 11 geography field trip. However my favourite memory would have to be sixth form ball in Year 13 as it was the perfect way to say goodbye to everyone.