I knew I wanted to work in further education from a young age. Originally, I toyed with being a teacher, but I didn’t want to be at the front of the classroom teaching. I wanted to be the person who focuses on helping those with complex needs.

After completing an access to teaching course at Gateshead College over a year ago, I set out looking for a job in which I could help FE students. Now, here I am.

My job isn’t just about helping students learn, it’s helping them to become confident individuals who are ready to take on the world.

As a learning and support officer, no two days are the same. Every day I offer support to students who need it the most, through 1-2-1 sessions or through my attendance and guidance at lessons.

Building trust

I work with around 70 students and I’m available every day to help them during breaks, lunchtimes and whenever they need to pop in for a chat.

Many of the students have learning disabilities and some struggle with issues such as anxiety. This can make even the smallest task seem like a mountain. I have to build a level of trust with each student so that they will work with me and come to me when they’re feeling overwhelmed and need additional support.

I often sit in on my students’ lunches to help them with money management skills. I want to equip them with life skills they can take with them outside of college too. Being there on a lunchtime really matters and my presence can help a student go to the shop and buy lunch by themselves.

Getting to know the students as individuals is part of the job. I spend a lot of time with them inside and outside of the classroom; we share jokes and they see me as someone who’s there for them, which is what I love most about my job.

‘An extra level of care’

Don’t get me wrong, my job can be very challenging, and I have to be ready to adapt the way I manage people at any given moment. Sometimes a method of helping no longer works or a student feels particularly overwhelmed and we have to start from scratch.

I have to take every detail into consideration when it comes to my students, including things that others wouldn’t give a second thought to such as the environment students learn in. Lighting, sounds and surroundings can play a key role in how students feel and can impact how they learn.

It’s important to make sure their surroundings are right so that they can relax, interact and learn. An extra level of care and 1-2-1 support can truly make a difference in whether a student struggles or exceeds.

Watching individuals who have struggled at college start to flourish is such a rewarding experience and makes college such a special place. College is for everyone, no matter what their situation or individual challenges, we help people get the skills they need to get the most out of their lives.

Haley Bowater learning support officer at Gateshead College, where she was also a former student