Adam
Channer-Lee

During his time at NTU, Adam completed the Extended National Diploma in Horse Management (now Level 3 Extended Diploma in Equine Management), as well as BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Science. He is now a lecturer at a land-based college, teaching from Level 3 to Level 6.

Why did you choose to study at NTU?

I chose to study at NTU as I just fell in love with Brackenhurst Campus as soon I visited that first open day. Brackenhurst NTU quickly became my home from home. It is the perfect blend of student life, rural living and home comforts, horses, cows and green space, what more could I have wanted? NTU also provides so much wider participation in fairs and events, having campuses in the city was also a huge draw, to be able to have a taste of Nottingham at the same time. The lecturing team and yard staff were also so inviting, kind, knowledgeable and people I knew I wanted to be around.

The Equine Sports Science course has a bit of something for everyone, and such a great range of modules and teaching staff. I love the environment at Brackenhurst; it’s such a lovely setting to study in. The course is so broad, and covers a range of topic areas, meaning there is something for everyone. Its very science-based and covers a lot of the theory and science aspects. It also has practical aspects, so combines classroom work with hands-on experience.

What did you learn - both inside and outside of lectures?

University really is a time to find yourself (cliché I know), but you really do. Inside lectures I found my love for equine science, especially exercise physiology and anything anatomy. But you get such valuable information from your lectures, and the lecturers love their subjects and that helps you learn. Outside of lectures I found what made me tick. I loved spending time on the yard and around the horses, but also learnt that I loved the subject on a deeper level, and had a passion to share knowledge and teach. Being a Student Ambassador during my time at NTU gave me the confidence to meet new faces, discuss the course, whilst showing people everything the wonderful campus had to give.

What Adam has been up to since graduating

After graduating from the BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Science, I took on a full-time position at Felley Priory Stud (a thoroughbred racing stud), somewhere I was working part-time during my studies. The role was exciting and hands-on with no two days the same. It was an incredibly rewarding position managing broodmares and youngstock, watching their progression, and preparing horses for sales such as Tattersalls.

I have now gone on to pursue my career ambitions of becoming a lecturer. In 2019 I completed my PGCE at level 7 through NTU, which was everything I expected it to be. I was lucky enough to do a placement at Brackenhurst with the level 3 team and loved it. After successfully completing my PGCE I went onto work at a Sixth Form college, teaching A-level Biology. I did this for two years before moving onto the Land-based college I work at now as a lecturer. Here I lecture across a range of levels from Level 3, all the way up to BSc Level 6. I deliver a range of modules including of course, my favourite ‘exercise physiology’ and ‘anatomy’.

What does your current day involve?

My day to day in my current role see’s me delivering lectures to my lovely students, planning sessions, trying to make things exciting and innovative. I am always trying to be creative in my delivery of sessions, as well as planning and sequencing to encourage all my learners to achieve great things. As well as teaching, there is marking to be done, CPD and that all important pastoral support of learners. I enjoy branching out across the campus, grabbing a coffee with my colleagues who teach on the different programmes, especially those who lecture on animal and zoo pathways; I love their stories. Being based at a land-based college, I get to go out and see many happy faces, over various stable and barn doors. I love seeing the horses on my breaks and within lecturers, but my favourite time of year is lambing, as who doesn’t love cuddling lambs. My horse Rocky liveries at work, which is such a bonus and he loves all the action in and around our busy yard, so I ride him most days too, which is most welcome after a long day’s teaching.

What attracted you to this field?

I’ve always had a flair for teaching, which was expertly nurtured by my lecturers at NTU, right through from Level 3. I always loved the thought of being a lecturer of equine, being around the buzz of a campus, lecturing and sharing my passion and love of horses. I knew I loved horses, and everything equine and before going into teaching, I worked at a busy stud yard, producing Thoroughbreds for the racing industry, where I learnt a lot. Skills and knowledge I still bring into my day-to-day teaching.

What have been the highlights and biggest challenges of your career so far?

There have been a lot of highlights within my career so far, I don’t think there is a ‘right’ or ‘set’ career ladder for anyone, it can be as straight, or topsy turvy as you need it to be. Achieving one of the highest end grades/marks within my PGCE was a super moment, being asked to give the student vote of thanks at my PGCE graduation, again, wow. Obviously getting those congratulatory phone calls to say, you’ve got the job are always a huge cause for celebration. I remember getting the call to say I had got the job where I am now, I was out hacking with one of my friends at the time, so was juggling my phone, on a bridlepath with a cheeky, jogging pony!

One of the biggest highlights though, every year is seeing my students achieve and celebrate. I absolutely love seeing them march across that stage at graduation.

Now, of course there are challenges, teaching comes with a huge workload, and isn’t for everyone, I’ve even doubted if I’d done the right thing many times, but you will meet the deadline, and you will regain that work-life balance. Rejection can also be a challenge, there will be job interviews you thought you smashed, but the organisation decides on someone else, that’s just how it goes sometimes. Try and see every opportunity as a learning experience, take on their feedback and grow.

What are your plans for the future?

Ah, the future question. Well, I would love to go back into study and perhaps do more research, I feel I have more in the tank and would love to complete my MSc or perhaps an MRes in the area. I would also like to travel to America for research and explore differences in management practice, whilst also doing some observations of semi-feral populations.

Crafting my art is important to me as well, so I’d also like to carry on learning and nurturing my HE lecturing, with the aim to support new lecturers by offering advice, guidance and perhaps support in their training. Maybe, I could write a book, but that might be a stretch!

If you had a time machine, what would you go back and tell yourself at NTU?

I would go back and say live more. Don’t worry about all those small things that used to hold me back. Obviously being careful is so important, but not to hold myself back. Go to the events, go on that date, and don’t be afraid to make the wrong decision occasionally, the world won’t end, it’ll just feel like it is (adapted from a certain film, if you know, you know). I’d also ask more questions in lectures, don’t feel embarrassed, ask, that’s what lectures and seminars are for. I encourage my learners in every lecture to ask questions, as did mine, because you learn so much from those less formal questions and queries.

Finally, is there anything else you'd like to share with our student and alumni community?

Being a student is such a valuable experience, embrace it, love it, even the rubbish bits. Because, you’ll look back and think, they really were the best days. Also, stay in touch with your university friends, they’ll be the ones who stick with you through everything, now and in the future. Being an alumnus is such a fantastic opportunity, not only to stay in touch with everything university, but also the people who shaped your life.