Jane is studying for her Foundation Degree on a part-time basis, while working as a Teaching Assistant in a secondary school and in an after-school club. She has built on her skills as a parent and her previous experience as a teacher and Psychology student, and has been able to develop new skills and knowledge in working with young people in an educational setting.

Jane moved to the UK in 2002, when her husband took up a PhD in Management at Lancaster University Management School. They moved here from their home in Kenya with their 3 children aged 14, 12 and 7. She has managed to balance her work, higher education study, family and social responsibilities.

Jane has applied the Foundation Degree to her role as a Teaching Assistant, and believ es that it has improved her performance in a number of ways; relating to young people, helping with guidance and counselling young people, and group development in class. She is required to work with pupils aged between 11 and 14, and is involved with help ing students to manage their studies, assisting them to improve their grades and learning style, helping them with their personal issues, behaviour management and attendance issues. Jane’s main duties in the after-school club are to support children across the curriculum areas.