Kimberley Clulow – PGCE Primary

Primary Teacher

Kimberley graduated from her undergraduate in Working with Children, Young People and Families and Education Studies in 2017 and then progressed to study her Primary PGCE to become a qualified teacher.

Even before university, Kimberly had worked in educational settings as a teaching assistant which drove her passion to become a teacher further, and she continued this role whilst studying also.

Kimberly made great friends during her studies at Newman, “I had so many positive experiences whilst attending Newman University. I met some of the most amazing people who are still my closest friends to this day. We spent many hours studying in the library at Newman, which is an excellent working environment, and worked together to proofread each other’s’ assignments to ensure we obtained the best results possible.”

Kimberly also praises the lecturers as she is still in contact with her mentor from her PGCE and often emails her for advice and guidance. “The staff at Newman are extremely supportive, understanding and want you to achieve your full potential! I still keep in contact with one of my mentors who supported me significantly throughout my PGCE and still continues to do so years after graduating!”

After graduating the school which Kimberley had been working in part-time as a teaching assistant, offered her a full-time job. Kimberley is a year 6 Primary School Teacher and admits whilst it is a challenging career it is also gratifying and she recommends it to all who have the passion for it.

Kimberley is also in the process of applying to work and teach in another country to be able to broaden her horizons and continue to develop professionally.

When speaking of advice for students, Kimberley said “When you are looking for the university and its courses, remember to look for where you find a home. I didn’t live in Newman’s halls of residence but I still saw it as my second home. Everyone was so kind and welcoming; people are always willing to help; and the university is a small place which offers that homely, safe feeling.”

Mia Bano – Early Childhood Education and Care
PGCE School Direct

Primary Teacher, Arden Primary School

Mia graduated from her undergraduate degree with a first class honours in 2016 before progressing to begin her PGCE School Direct in the same year.

During her time at Newman Mia explains she was able to embrace the diversity of inclusivity nurtured at Newman, “It felt refreshing to be able to meet with many lecturers and students, of all different backgrounds, who exchanged ideas and offered me a lens to see through their life experiences.”

These experiences have since inspired Mia to promote a similar culture within her own classroom.

Mia is now in her fourth year of teaching working at Arden Primary School and has responsibility for leading Art and Design, Design and Technology and also overseeing the wider area of the curriculum.

“I love to celebrate creativity and have shared my background in cake art with children. This has resulted in me teaching sugar craft to a small group of children to receive an accreditation in Arts Award Discover.”

Mia adds that staff at Newman are warm, empathetic and approachable and she was able to reach out to them whenever she needed to, summing up Newman as “a University which contributed to the making of me.”

Mia has already had great success in her teaching career as she was shortlisted for the TES Teacher of the Year Award and has participated in the Department for Education’s campaign by sharing her story to inspire the next generation. As well as this, Mia has contributed to Sarah Mullin’s (also a former Newman student) book ‘Chronicles from the Classroom’.

Mia hopes that in the future she is able to write her own diverse picture book so that school children can see themselves reflected in what they read.

“It feels liberating stepping into my classroom and contribute to a profession which endeavours to keep the passion for learning brightly in the hearts of our future generation. The moments that I have experienced in the classroom have defined me as the teacher I am today.”