Ashleigh
Beale

Why NTU?

What inspired you to study your subject?

I have always loved maths. I was lucky enough to always have very inspiring maths teachers who really encouraged and nurtured my fascination with numbers. Those teachers solidified the decision that I’d like to become a teacher and do the same for other pupils that my teachers did for me.

Why did you choose your course and NTU?

When I started looking at options for courses, I found the Maths with Secondary Education course by chance. Having read about it I immediately knew it would be the right course for me as you can get Qualified Teacher Status in three years instead of four. After visiting the campus on an open day, I knew it would be the right place for me. I loved how comfortable the campus felt, and having spoken to a lot of students I felt very reassured that I would enjoy it here.

What’s your experience been like of your course so far?

My favourite part of the course so far has been starting the teaching module in year 2. Everyone on all the sister courses have all come together and we really get on, a group of us went to Goose Fair together this year! The sessions themselves are really interesting and we really get to collaborate and share thoughts together which I really enjoy. It’s a nice and interesting to do something so different from my subject as well.

What does Social Sciences mean to you? e.g. working with people, transforming lives, frontline services

To me social studies is all about helping and interacting with people. It shows me how I can make a difference in my own community to people who I will be working with.

On Placement

Have you completed any work placements on your course?

I have been on a small placement to a local school last year. I spent most of the time I had there observing many different lessons to see how different subjects handle different challenges. It was really interesting to see school from the perspective of a teacher rather than experiencing it as a student. We also had a few informal talks with different people in the school setting including newer teachers and experienced teachers, the pastoral team and the headteacher. We were really given a wide and varied experience from many different people which was so amazing to experience so early in our careers as trainee teachers. Toward the end of our placement we did a ‘Micro Teach’ for a class of Year 7s which was great experience to get in front of a class. This year we will go on a placement to a special school to gain experience with children who have special needs.

The most memorable thing from my first placement was talking to a couple of early career teachers. It was really good to get honest advice from people who had been in our exact position a few years before.

Support

What do you think of the support available from tutors and staff at NTU?

I think the support is really good. The lectures are very willing to help both in your subject and for teaching. There are also students that are available to contact in addition to lecturers. The student services team are amazing and very supportive. Any issues you have they will have an answer or can help you to get to one.

Outside of the Lecture Theatre

Did you find it easy to make friends and settle in at NTU?

I found the first couple of months of my first year really hard, I did really struggle in the beginning to settle and feel like I’d made friends. Once I had spoken to someone at student services I started to talk to a few different people and I began to relax, I found some friends who I really clicked with and began to feel really comfortable. Looking back, I should have spoken to someone at student services sooner because it really lifted a weight and allowed me to voice my worries and find ways to get through them.

The Next Steps

What’s next for you after NTU?

I hope to get a job in a high school teaching maths!

How is NTU helping you to achieve your career goals? 

I am developing my subject knowledge in maths while studying to become a teacher. There are also extra opportunities to develop many different skills that the university can help to provide such as the students in classrooms scheme.

Advice

What top tips would you give anyone thinking about studying your course at NTU?

Come to an open day and talk to the lecturers and students on your course. Also talk to the lecturers and students who are studying your subject as most of your first and second year you will be with your subject for lectures.

It was really important to me that I gathered as much information as possible. My biggest tip, don’t be shy, ask all the questions you have either in person or on an email.