News | Wednesday, 8th April 2020

Coronavirus: Trainee teacher offers free learning support for students and parents

PGCE student Hazel Collier is helping her local community after schools close due to COVID-19

A trainee teacher at Manchester Metropolitan University is offering her support and expertise to students and parents during school closures.

Last month, the government took the decision to close all schools due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and left many parents with the responsibility of home schooling their children.

Hazel Collier, a Social Science PGCE student, took to her local community Facebook group to offer her support, whether to tutor other social science students or support parents with home schooling.

Collier, from Todmorden in West Yorkshire, said: “In times like this, although a negative situation in so many ways, it’s where the community really pull together, and I wanted to be part of that. I can’t offer my services running around doing shopping for people because I have a five-year-old son, but this was something I can offer and be of use for other people.

“It was also a way for me to get experience whilst I’m not able to carry out my placements.”

Reassurance

Collier has experience working with all age groups and since her offer has had questions from many parents working from home with their children.

She said: “Most of my help has just been signposting people to the relevant online resources, sharing creative learning ideas and just generally giving parents a bit of reassurance.

“People need to remember that a good routine is important for children, but it’ll take some time to find our feet and adjust to a new way of working – this is not normal home schooling.

“It’s amazing how you can adjust everyday activities, such as cooking and gardening into a science or a maths lesson. Practical learning and learning through play are really important and there’s so many ways to keep children engaged and make it more fun for parents too.”

At the same time as supporting others and home schooling her five-year-old son, Collier has still been working hard to finish her university assignments and despite not having a moment to rest has managed to secure a job after she completes PGCE.

From September, Collier will start a new job as a tutor for Health and Social Care at Oldham Sixth Form College – the first place she secured a placement when starting the course.  

Positive contribution

Collier’s tutor, Louise Quinn, Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences, said: “It’s always really encouraging to see students use their initiative and it doesn’t surprise me that Hazel is offering her time and expertise to support parents and children in her local community.

“Hazel is an excellent student teacher, is highly motivated and very keen to make a positive contribution to education, schools and children’s learning.

“Throughout the PGCE course she has proved to be a strong team player who clearly wants to participate in the whole life of the school and university.  

“Hazel consistently demonstrates strong professional values and behaviours and is thoroughly dedicated to both her own and her students’ development and progress.”