Meet the student

Name: Mandi Jones

Course: FdA Learning Support

Mandi, 46, from Penycae near Wrexham works at Rhyn Park Secondary School, St Martins. In her first year, she studies on the course part-time.

I decided to do a university course as I work in a local secondary school, and I wanted to do something to further myself, something for me, as I didn’t go to university straight from school. I work as an inclusion nanager with kids that may have problems at school or family problems, while in the past I’ve worked in playgroups and at Yale College helping children with disabilities.

I came to Glyndŵr because it was local and could fit around my job.  My work paid for half of the course.

I think doing this course is a way for me to put a qualification behind what I do and formalise my career. This semester we did a unit focusing on behaviour which really interested me as it seemed tailor made for what I do in my current job.

At first I was absolutely petrified of the academic work such as essay writing but Jane Bulkeley has been absolutely brilliant. The first essay looked at reflective practice and at our role.  I think what I enjoyed the most out of these first weeks was handing in my first essay.

I come in to the university one day a week from 2pm until 8pm. What I like about it here is that there are a lot of mature students and it doesn’t make you feel out of place. It’s been nice to meet people from different backgrounds and different jobs and we get on well as a group as it is not a large class.

In the future I hope to attain my foundation degree which will help me in my current job.