Postgraduate student profiles

Ian Mazonowicz

PGCE Primary Early years

Prior to starting my PGCE I worked at a children’s centre with children from birth to 5 years. I was also studying alongside working for my BA (Hons) in Early Years, Childcare and Education. I chose the Early Years pathway in my PGCE as it was the area I had the most experience in. Also, it’s an area of education where there is a lack of men taking up posts. This is an area I am really passionate about – encouraging more men to get involved in the specialism.

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Richard Marshall

PGCE Secondary, Modern Languages 2011–2012

Before starting my PGCE secondary course I was a graduate in Linguistics and had been working as a Teaching Assistant in a secondary school. When I realised I wanted to be a teacher, I knew the PGCE was the best way of preparing myself for teaching in state schools, which is what I wanted to do.

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Nicola Varney

Primary PGCE

Prior to starting my Primary PGCE at Oxford Brookes I worked as a retail buyer in the fashion industry. I decided to study the course because I had reached a point in my career where I had progressed well but was so removed from the reason I started my career in retail buying that I wasn’t sure why I was going to work every day.

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Amy Strange

Primary PGCE

Prior to applying to do my PGCE at Oxford Brookes I was a research scientist at Oxford University. I knew that deep down I really wanted to be a primary school teacher but I decided to follow my interest in science. The desire to teach finally won out last year and I applied to do a Primary PGCE at Oxford Brookes. Having seen friends and family undertake teacher training, I knew it was going to be intensive, but I wanted to do a PGCE rather than take another route into teaching as I value both the peer support from other students and working in a university setting.

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Dan Varnam

Secondary PGCE Physics with Maths

Prior to embarking on my Secondary PGCE I was the Director of ‘Oxford Instruments’ a leading provider of high technology tools and systems for research and industry. I decided to enrol on the course specialising in Physics and maths because I wanted to teach Physics but also because I wanted to strengthen my own maths skills and what better way to do this than to teach! I was largely attracted to Oxford Brookes University because it is local to where I live. The best thing about the course is that it’s ultimately going to get me to where I want to be and that is teaching.

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Alina Victorian

MA Education student 2011–2012

Before I came to Oxford Brookes University I was working as a Romanian language teacher back home. I came to study at Brookes with the aim of becoming a teacher and it was here that I realised just how different the English and Romanian education systems are. I chose to study for an MA in Education at Brookes because I thought it would help me understand both the structure and nature of English schools better as well as improving my knowledge about educational systems in general.

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Abbey Martin

MA Childhood Studies student 2011–2012

Before I started at Oxford Brookes University I was working as a paediatric nurse in children’s outpatients. I decided to study for an MA in Childhood Studies to give me the opportunity to change my career path but also to adapt to my current role. I chose Oxford Brookes because of the multidisciplinary nature of the course and I liked the modules that were on offer, especially as I was given the opportunity to try an online module.

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Abdel Anouar

Secondary Maths PGCE 2008–2009

Oxford Brookes University Education Department has a highly regarded reputation and my time at the University prepared me for the real world of teaching through a well integrated program of study at different levels, high quality teaching and excellent support.

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Kate Calnan

Education

I am Head of music at Chipping Norton School and decided to complete a part time Masters as it was a fantastic opportunity to gain a masters qualification whilst still working. The flexibility of the course made it very attractive as the lectures and seminars were delivered at Chipping Norton School. It also gave me the opportunity to complete the course with other colleagues from my school at the same time.

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Amel Said

Education

We have a library here at Harcourt Hill with an education librarian who's there to spend time with you and show you how to arrive at the information.

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Carrick Cameron

PGCE Education (Postgraduate / Professional Graduate Certificate in Education) - Primary

The course is very intensive, but it's great to learn a range of subjects again – it's like being back at school! I love maths now, which certainly wasn't the case before coming to Brookes!

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Duncan Robertson

I found that the course consisted of an excellent range of modules that appealed to my strengths but also challenged my knowledge base and pushed me into related, but always connected, other areas. The location, size and set-up of the course provides for a unique atmosphere, which I think will appeal to everyone in different ways. It is worth checking out!

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Helen Manley

PGCE Education (Postgraduate / Professional Graduate Certificate in Education) - Primary

The Primary PGCE is a fantastic course. I have learnt so much and come so far in such a short time. In my experience, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. So, jump in with both feet and enjoy it – it is worth every second!

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Helen McGowan

Education (Postgraduate / Professional Graduate Certificate in Education) - Secondary

I decided to study for a PGCE in Secondary Education as I have always wanted to be a teacher. I can even remember forcing my younger brother to do pretend homework so I could mark it. I think my love of teaching stems from a long family tradition – there have been teachers in my family for three generations. I am very proud to carry on that tradition.

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Jamie Nicole Bauer

Education

I decided to take this course because it would be beneficial to my teaching career no matter what subject or age group I choose to teach in the future. The course would also give me a British perspective of education.

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Leanne Moore

PGCE Education (Postgraduate / Professional Graduate Certificate in Education) - Primary

I knew a few people from home who had been to Brookes and highly recommended it. After researching Brookes myself, coming to the open day and seeing Oxford, It felt like a place I would be happy in.

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Stephen Greenwood

PGCE Education (Postgraduate / Professional Graduate Certificate in Education) - Primary

I was attracted to the Primary PGCE course because of the standard of teaching that is offered. When researching into possible places to study Brookes stood above the rest because of its outstanding Ofsted report and reviews from former students.

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Christine Wilkinson

Childhood Studies

The course has really challenged and changed my perception and understanding of childhood and how these perceptions so strongly influence policy.

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Scott Parker

Scott Parker is studying PGCE Primary with the School of Education

The reputation of the PGCE Primary course at Brookes is well known, and even before I became interested in becoming a Primary School teacher I was aware that Brookes was well-respected in this area. When I decided on a change of career to become a teacher I knew Brookes would be a good place to study.

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Janine Coaker

Janine is studying PGCE Primary with the School of Education

I have been a children’s nurse for 24 years and when my own children went to primary school I got more and more involved in the school, going in to read and teach lessons (on request). I really enjoyed it and the calling became stronger and stronger to become a teacher..

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Gill Minikin

Gill is the Senior Leader at The Chalfonts Community College, Buckinghamshire and completed her MA in Education in 2011

I had several reasons for undertaking an MA in Education. Firstly, I wished to develop my professional skills in a deeper and more fundamental way than is possible through short courses or personal reading. I enjoy academic reading and writing. There were also some pragmatic reasons: I had completed one year of MA study with the Open University, and wished to complete my degree before my credits ran out. Additionally, at a personal level, my youngest daughter had just left home to go to university, so it was a good time to start something new.

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