Charlotte Weldon

“Bite the bullet. The battle with yourself is bigger than taking on a new challenge. Good things happen when you take a chance. I’m bringing in a bigger income now because of my qualification.” 

Charlotte Weldon, HLTA and Forest School Leader

Degree course studied at Holy Cross University Centre (HCUC):
BA Hons in Education and Special Educational Needs   

Partner university:
Liverpool Hope University 2022-2025 (Graduation in May)  

Tell us why you chose to study here and why you chose this course?

I chose to study at Holy Cross to fit study around working. I was already working, had outgoings including a mortgage, so the flexibility allowed me to keep that income coming in and gain a degree at the same time.  

I was working in an SEN school at the time, and worked my way up from TA Level 1 to TA Level 3. I also achieved an additional qualification as a Forest School Leader alongside my degree studies and progression at the school.  

So many elements of the degree course supported my career and enhanced it as I progressed through different roles.  

I’m now working at St Mary’s Primary School in Burnley as a HLTA and Forest School Leader. They didn’t interview anyone else for the position – my certificates and qualifications impressed them enough to offer me the role.   

I’m now on the HLTA pay scale so bringing in a bigger income because of my qualification. 

What are your plans for the future? What’s next? 

I’m a big planner! I want to complete my PGCE either via Schools Direct or a year of full-time education. I’m lucky in that my school offers Schools Direct and I’m hopeful that I can be the next member of staff on the programme.   

Getting into teaching has always been the end goal – I’ve worked my way up from the bottom and I know I’m so close to achieving this goal.  

Tell us about Betsy and how the UC accommodated your needs? 

I was pregnant throughout my second year (with baby Betsy) and I would not have got through it without Louise (Green, Support Tutor). I honestly don’t know how she put up with me! 

She was one of the first people I sent pictures to when Betsy arrived in the October of my final year – she turned into a real friend, not just a Support Tutor. 

She always went above and beyond, and I’m also incredibly grateful to my parents and partner for being a massive support at this time.  

I was always on time with assignments, but they were so good at giving extra time when I needed it. I’d had five sleepless nights in a row and just couldn’t meet a deadline, but becoming a mum was never an issue or a barrier.  

I needed to be signed off by my doctor before I could return to study sessions, they made sure I was fit to be there. I always felt supported and couldn’t have achieved what I have without her.  

They kept telling me I could graduate at Christmas if I needed to, but I wasn’t doing that! I wanted to graduate with everyone else in the summer and I knew if I didn’t get a First I would’ve been fuming! My brother, sister and I all went to Uni at the same time, and all graduated at the same time. Everyone is a nurse apart from me, because I wanted to work with children.  

How have you found the degree course from start to finish? 

Admittedly, starting second year was a bit of a shock as the content seemed to get a lot harder and quite quickly. I felt overwhelmed until I spoke to Louise (my Support Tutor) and Anne-Marie (another Support Tutor in the team). Without their support, I’m not sure how I’d have coped.  

Anne-Marie helped me with my initial application forms and explained how much I needed in my final assessment to get a First. Once I knew what I was aiming for, I felt so much more confident and focused on the end goal.  

My academic tutor was an absolute lifeline to me. The way she taught was inspirational, she made you want to learn and know more.  

I found myself taking things I learnt on the course and applying them straightaway where appropriate, because I started seeing things from a new perspective.  

Tell us about your Support Tutor? 

I cannot praise her enough, I really couldn’t have got through it without her.  

She was always at the end of the phone and checked in with me regularly. 

I started my course because I wanted to be more independent and not have to rely on anyone else. She ensured there were never any boundaries about what I could share with her, she wanted to make sure I was ok, and she always looked for more ways they could support me.  

Louise always seemed to have a solution.   

What would you say to someone thinking about studying with Liverpool Hope at the UC?

Three people are studying at Holy Cross University Centre because of me  

I told them that they can do it. When you’re going into higher education and you’re not a typical university age, you might be thinking you’ll feel out of place. But it’s absolutely nothing like that. It’s nothing like you might think it is. 

Bite the bullet. The battle with yourself is bigger than taking on a new challenge. Good things happen when you take a chance.