A MUM of two, who often worked until 3am to complete her studies before rising at 6am for work, has been rewarded for her efforts after securing a distinction in her foundation degree.
Darlington College student Nicola Lawrance (spelling correct) worked during the day at a school, was wife to railways night shift worker Jonny and mum to Dexter, six and Imogen, 10, but still managed to obtain one of the highest scores recorded in early years education.
Ironically, the 35-year-old, of Darlington, also completed a project on staff wellbeing, urging colleagues to say three gratitudes a day, get outside and become more active in a break from work.
“I’ve never had much confidence in myself and every assignment I thought I can’t do this,” said Nicola, who is a teaching assistant at St George’s CE Academy, Middleton St George.
“I would have been just happy to pass but kept getting good grades and then at the graduation ceremony I was told I had the highest marks anyone had ever got on the course. It was great for my husband and children to see.”
Nicola has always learned practically and academia was new to her. After leaving school she studied beauty therapy at Darlington College before becoming a hairdressing apprentice.
She worked for the Student Loans Company (SLC) before a friend suggested she look at teaching as she was so good with children. She completed a teaching assistant’s qualification while working nights at SLC and was offered a job where she was completing her TA placement.
“I worked at the school for 12 years but it just felt the right time to upgrade my qualification,” she said. “I’ve just moved up to reception this year and it really does set the foundations for all their future learning. If they don’t develop these skills they are going to struggle.
“I’ve never been that academic so I had to read everything really carefully, make notes, as well as every detail of what the tutors said. It was hard work. I needed complete silence and sat in my daughter’s earmuffs so I could focus on what I was reading. I couldn’t study while the kids were awake so I started at 9.30pm and worked until 3am – and I was up again at 6am to go to work.
“I’m so thankful for the continuous support of my husband. He really stepped in when I was working to my deadlines by taking the kids out to have fun for a few hours, when I was running out of time to submit assignments and every minute counted. Even when he had been working through the night and was tired himself, it really helped with my mother’s guilt knowing that the kids were having a nice time when I wasn't able to give them my full attention.
“I’m also grateful to my friends, who I’ve known since school, for their constant reassurances and emotional support throughout the whole process.”
Nicola is now working in reception class with children who require support with their speech, language and communications. She hopes one day to be a therapist, a growing field with post-COVID children.
“It’s been life-changing for me,” she said. “I worked hard and it paid off and hopefully it will inspire my children as they go through their education.”
