Craig goes back to school

By Clearing

University of Teesside student Craig Thornton has gone back to his old secondary school. However, his return to Norton School isn’t part of a nostalgia trip. Craig has helped the school’s teachers as part of an innovative pilot scheme, designed to encourage more young people to consider a career in teaching and to make school children more aware of their Further and Higher Education options.

Craig, 19, from Norton, is studying on the University's HND Sport & Exercise course and has also joined the new Student Associate Scheme. He now spends time at Norton School, where he was once a pupil, assisting the teachers in the classroom and helping with the schools sports provision. The Student Associate Scheme is operated by Universities for the North East.

Craig said: "It was a little strange coming back to my old school, but I only really left a few years ago, so I still know a lot of the students and most of the staff. I'm even working with my old science teacher Mr Green and I'm getting some really good, hands on experience. I've also planned and delivered a lesson on my own in Personal, Social Health education. I talked to the pupils about the challenges and benefits of going from school to college to University. I think it helped that I was a former student here - they see me as 'one of them', and if I can go to University, so can they."

Craig studied the Advanced Pre-Uniform Service Diploma and Diploma in Sports Therapy at the Riverside College in Stockton, where he took part in the Passport scheme - a innovative opportunity for Further Education students to gain experience of Higher Education. Passport provides access to enhanced advice and guidance on higher education and the opportunity to participate in a range of activities and give people a taste of university life.

In 2003, Craig was selected from over 1500 members of the Passport Scheme to receive a Passport Achievement Award for his outstanding commitment to progress to University. Craig and fifteen other winners were each awarded a trophy and cheque for £100, donated by some of the North-East's most prestigious companies.

Speaking about Passport, Craig said: "I'd definitely recommend it to any Further Education Student - it's a great introduction to University life. I'm having a great time at University. I've made lots of new friends and it's a whole new life style. As well as the course itself, there are loads of schemes like this one to get involved in. They are all designed to increase your experience and I think it's well worth while."

To find out more about the Student Associate Scheme, call Gary Crawley at the University of Teesside's Centre for Life Long Learning on 01642 384272 or email: gary.crawely@tees.ac.uk To find out more about the Passport scheme, call 01642 384266 or email: passport@tees.ac.uk

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