From Pupil to TA: Nadine’s Journey to Find a Career with Purpose in a PRU

Recently we spoke with Nadine Savage, who has recently finished a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship with Additional SEND Training.

Nadine is currently a teaching assistant at Dacorum Education Support Centre (DESC), a PRU (Pupil Referral Unit) that she herself once attended. She told us how the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship With Additional SEND Training has allowed her to upskill in a job that gives her meaning and purpose.

Nadine: By the end of Year 9, I had been excluded from two mainstream schools and it wasn't the happiest of times. Looking back it was largely because I had undiagnosed learning needs that weren’t being met.

I started at DESC in Year 10 as a learner and was there for two years. It was a massive turning point for me. The learning was much more hands-on, and the classes were small - about four students, rather than 30. It was a totally different environment from mainstream school, and it worked so much better for me.

Despite all the gaps in my learning, I left with four GCSEs and the Prince’s Trust qualification. It wasn’t until much later that I was diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and dyscalculia.

Nadine: Essentially yes. Initially though I went into social care. I toughed it out to get my Level 2 in Health and Social care but ended up getting kicked out of college while studying for my Level 3 - it was just all the same problems as mainstream school. People told me I wouldn’t be able to get a job in the sector, but I worked my way up from cleaner at a care home to running a dementia unit by the age of 17.

As much as I felt a sense of achievement, it’s a demanding sector to work in - the long hours were taking their toll, so I ended up getting a job in sales and hated it!

I knew I needed to do something with a sense of purpose and had always kept in touch with DESC, so when they offered me a chance to volunteer I did that for a few months and then the Level 3 apprenticeship came up.

Nadine: I primarily support Key Stage 4, so that’s 14 to 16-year-olds—the tricky, critical years where they are preparing for qualifications and big life changes.
  
I feel like what I’m doing is really important and I can make a real difference to a young person who might be quite vulnerable. Because I was a student here, I "get it", I know how hard it is and they point this out as well. I can also be a living example to them, showing them that they can achieve, and that if one pathway doesn't work out, there is always another way. 

Nadine: I've loved the job since I started. However, I initially lacked confidence, especially with challenging behaviour. The apprenticeship, particularly the training focused on behavioural support, helped immensely with that. 

I also learned a lot about different teaching and learning styles, the various ways of giving feedback, supporting children with SEND and how to help learners with both pastoral and academic needs - that’s always really important working in a PRU.

Overall I’d say I’ve enjoyed every minute of my apprenticeship - it’s helped me provide better support as a teaching assistant, particularly when it comes to pupils with SEND and pastoral needs. I’ve gained so many new skills and it’s helped me be confident in my own approach.

I’ve also got a better work-life balance now which is really important!

Nadine: My apprenticeship tutor, Kelly, was absolutely amazing. She supported me at every stage and anything I needed she sorted out. I struggle with RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria), so I needed constant reassurance that I was on the right track. 

I also sometimes don't recognise when I need a movement break, but she would see my restlessness during training and say, "You need five minutes, we’re going to take a break." For the End-Point Assessment (EPA), she made sure all my reasonable adjustments were in place. I was worried about it - but the assessors were actually really nice and they made me feel so at ease.

Nadine: I think it’s a great way to learn because you are immediately doing the actual job role and it’s easier to put what you are learning into practice. 

I found college was completely different from what I experienced in the real job, so for me learning while doing is far more effective. The apprenticeship bridges the gap between education and employment.

Nadine: My confidence has grown massively. I’m now starting the ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) training here at DESC. The Level 3 training has given me a really good base to start from - I already know about things like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the apprenticeship has left me well prepared to advance in my TA career.